Registered Nurse Salary in Utah: $89,027 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Utah's 41 metropolitan areas, the average median registered nurse pay sits at $89,027/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1141. Because Utah sits at BEA RPP 98.1 (2% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $90,751 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: West Jordan ($87,266), West Valley City ($87,127), Sandy ($86,953).
In Utah, the projected average median salary for registered nurses in 2026 is $89,027, which reflects a 13.3% difference compared to the national median of $102,730. This gap is significant and may be influenced by several factors, including cost of living and funding for healthcare systems. The highest-paying city for RNs is West Jordan at $91,900, while Clinton offers the lowest at $83,639, showcasing a salary range difference of $8,261. The variation in wages could be driven by demand levels, local healthcare facilities, and the cost of living in different areas. Utah has specific licensing requirements governed by the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, and registered nurses typically operate under a defined scope of practice that influences their responsibilities and earning potential. A projected annual growth rate of 5.31% indicates strong job market demand for registered nurses in the state, with 25,824 already employed. The top cities for employment opportunities include West Valley City, Sandy, South Jordan, and St. George, which all show competitive salaries, closely following West Jordan. This environment suggests promising prospects for aspiring RNs in Utah.
Utah Registered Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Utah: $60,397 (lowest entry-level) to $135,719 (highest top earner)
Utah vs National Average
Utah registered nurses earn 13.34% less than the national median ($-13,703/year difference).
Utah Registered Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Registered Nurse salaries in Utah range from $73,972 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $117,414 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $89,027. The Utah median is $13,703 below the US national median of $102,730. The average hourly rate is $42.81/hr. Approximately 25,824 registered nurses are employed across 41 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$65,631
2025 BLS Actual
$84,538
2026 Current Est.
$89,027
2019–2027 Growth
+42.9%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Utah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,631 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,335 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,422 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,688 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,428 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,876 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,538 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,027 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,754 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Utah metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 28.8% from $65,631 (2019) to $84,538 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,754 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,123 (42.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Utah metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Utah
Lowest Paying Cities in Utah
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Clinton | $83,639 |
| North Ogden | $84,054 |
| Park City | $84,292 |
| Lehi | $84,410 |
| Payson | $84,945 |
Best Value Cities for Registered Nurses in Utah
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Utah cities offer the most purchasing power for registered nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan | $90,693 | 95.927 | $94,544 |
| West Jordan | $91,900 | 98.1 | $93,680 |
| West Valley City | $91,753 | 98.1 | $93,530 |
| St. George | $90,967 | 97.321 | $93,471 |
| Sandy | $91,570 | 98.1 | $93,344 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Utah
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $73,972 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $89,027 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $117,414 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Utah metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 41 Cities in Utah
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Jordan | $91,900 |
| 2 | West Valley City | $91,753 |
| 3 | Sandy | $91,570 |
| 4 | South Jordan | $91,047 |
| 5 | St. George | $90,967 |
| 6 | Murray | $90,831 |
| 7 | Logan | $90,693 |
| 8 | Salt Lake City | $90,451 |
| 9 | Draper | $90,216 |
| 10 | Layton | $89,922 |
| 11 | Holladay | $89,572 |
| 12 | Spanish Fork | $89,559 |
| 13 | American Fork | $89,369 |
| 14 | Saratoga Springs | $89,271 |
| 15 | Cedar City | $89,243 |
| 16 | Cottonwood Heights | $88,941 |
| 17 | Midvale | $88,941 |
| 18 | Roy | $88,906 |
| 19 | Tooele | $88,843 |
| 20 | Herriman | $88,812 |
| 21 | Taylorsville | $88,160 |
| 22 | Kaysville | $88,029 |
| 23 | Syracuse | $87,895 |
| 24 | Washington | $87,868 |
| 25 | Millcreek | $87,373 |
| 26 | Bountiful | $86,807 |
| 27 | Clearfield | $86,401 |
| 28 | Pleasant Grove | $86,344 |
| 29 | Ogden | $86,186 |
| 30 | Provo | $86,123 |
| 31 | Springville | $85,811 |
| 32 | Eagle Mountain | $85,775 |
| 33 | Riverton | $85,684 |
| 34 | Vineyard | $85,544 |
| 35 | Orem | $85,217 |
| 36 | Highland | $85,122 |
| 37 | Payson | $84,945 |
| 38 | Lehi | $84,410 |
| 39 | Park City | $84,292 |
| 40 | North Ogden | $84,054 |
| 41 | Clinton | $83,639 |
More Utah Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore registered nurse hourly pay in Utah cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced registered nurses.
Explore More Registered Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Utah in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for registered nurses in Utah?
How does Utah registered nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level registered nurse salary in Utah?
How many registered nurses are employed in Utah?
Which Utah city offers the best value for registered nurses?
Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 registered nurse compensation across Utah. State averages are employment-weighted across 41 metro areas — larger metro areas with more registered nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov