Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Utah: $42,130 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Utah's 41 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $42,130/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Utah sits at BEA RPP 98.1 (2% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $42,946 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Murray ($40,680), St. George ($40,520), Salt Lake City ($40,510).
Salaries for certified nursing assistants in Utah are projected to average $42,130 in 2026, which is 6.4% below the national median of $45,007. The salary range varies significantly across the state, with Murray offering the highest average salary at $43,324, while Logan sits at the lower end with an average of $38,042. This difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of medical facilities in urban areas versus more rural settings. Utah's regulatory environment influences the scope of practice for certified nursing assistants, impacting job expectations and compensation. With state-specific requirements for training and certification, the pathway to this profession is clearly defined. The demand for certified nursing assistants is expected to increase, driven by an aging population and a growing emphasis on healthcare services, resulting in a projected annual growth rate of 6.50%. With a total employment figure of 11,704 certified nursing assistants in the state, cities like St. George ($43,154), Salt Lake City ($43,143), West Jordan ($42,449), and West Valley City ($42,382) are also notable for competitive salaries. Overall, the job market for certified nursing assistants in Utah is stable, with a steady outlook for the future.
Utah Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Utah: $31,832 (lowest entry-level) to $54,930 (highest top earner)
Utah vs National Average
Utah certified nursing assistants earn 6.39% less than the national median ($-2,877/year difference).
Utah Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Utah range from $36,991 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $50,117 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $42,130. The Utah median is $2,877 below the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $20.26/hr. Approximately 11,704 certified nursing assistants are employed across 41 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$28,537
2025 BLS Actual
$39,559
2026 Current Est.
$42,130
2019–2027 Growth
+57.2%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Utah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,537 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,736 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,653 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,369 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,302 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,194 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,559 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,130 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,869 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Utah metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 38.6% from $28,537 (2019) to $39,559 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,869 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,332 (57.23%) 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 6.50% 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 |
|---|---|
| Logan | $38,042 |
| Clinton | $38,634 |
| North Ogden | $38,826 |
| Park City | $38,935 |
| Payson | $39,237 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in Utah
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Utah cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. George | $43,154 | 97.321 | $44,342 |
| Murray | $43,324 | 98.1 | $44,163 |
| West Jordan | $42,449 | 98.1 | $43,271 |
| West Valley City | $42,382 | 98.1 | $43,203 |
| Sandy | $42,296 | 98.1 | $43,115 |
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) | $36,991 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $42,130 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $50,117 |
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 | Murray | $43,324 |
| 2 | St. George | $43,154 |
| 3 | Salt Lake City | $43,143 |
| 4 | West Jordan | $42,449 |
| 5 | West Valley City | $42,382 |
| 6 | Sandy | $42,296 |
| 7 | South Jordan | $42,056 |
| 8 | Provo | $41,780 |
| 9 | Draper | $41,671 |
| 10 | Layton | $41,536 |
| 11 | Holladay | $41,374 |
| 12 | Spanish Fork | $41,368 |
| 13 | Orem | $41,340 |
| 14 | American Fork | $41,280 |
| 15 | Saratoga Springs | $41,235 |
| 16 | Cedar City | $41,222 |
| 17 | Cottonwood Heights | $41,082 |
| 18 | Midvale | $41,082 |
| 19 | Roy | $41,066 |
| 20 | Tooele | $41,038 |
| 21 | Herriman | $41,023 |
| 22 | Ogden | $40,981 |
| 23 | Lehi | $40,949 |
| 24 | Taylorsville | $40,721 |
| 25 | Kaysville | $40,661 |
| 26 | Syracuse | $40,600 |
| 27 | Washington | $40,586 |
| 28 | Millcreek | $40,358 |
| 29 | Bountiful | $40,097 |
| 30 | Clearfield | $39,909 |
| 31 | Pleasant Grove | $39,883 |
| 32 | Springville | $39,636 |
| 33 | Eagle Mountain | $39,620 |
| 34 | Riverton | $39,579 |
| 35 | Vineyard | $39,514 |
| 36 | Highland | $39,319 |
| 37 | Payson | $39,237 |
| 38 | Park City | $38,935 |
| 39 | North Ogden | $38,826 |
| 40 | Clinton | $38,634 |
| 41 | Logan | $38,042 |
More Utah Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Utah cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new certified nursing assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Utah in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in Utah?
How does Utah certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Utah?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in Utah?
Which Utah city offers the best value for certified nursing assistants?
Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN
Career Analyst
Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.
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 6.50% 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 certified nursing assistant compensation across Utah. State averages are employment-weighted across 41 metro areas — larger metro areas with more certified nursing assistantscontribute 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 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov