Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Salt Lake City, UT: $43,143 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Salt Lake City, UT earns a median $43,143/year (≈ $20.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Salt Lake City's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $42,772 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% above the Utah state average.
Official BLS data · View source
As of 2026, certified nursing assistants in Salt Lake City are expected to earn a median annual salary of $43,143, which positions them slightly below the national average of $45,007. This salary range for certified nursing assistants spans from $38,180 at the 10th percentile to $51,834 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied roles and responsibilities across different healthcare settings. These projections are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, which anticipates a growing demand for CNAs as the healthcare sector continues to recover and adapt in a post-COVID environment. With a significant number of certified nursing assistants employed locally, the job market remains competitive, signaling a steady demand for skilled professionals in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,205 | $19.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,143 | $20.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,182 | $23.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,834 | $24.92 |
Median Salary Position
4.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salt Lake City
In Salt Lake City, UT, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,654 (2026 est.). At $43,143, the local median is 4.14% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salt Lake City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salt Lake City Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Salt Lake City median: $43,143/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salt Lake City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $41,765 | +3.30% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -4.14% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $43,143 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.14% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 3.30% above the Utah state average of $41,765.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salt Lake City has a cost of living 0.87% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salt Lake City, UT has a cost-of-living index of 100.868 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $43,143 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $42,772 — a 0.86% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,870
2025 BLS Actual
$40,510
2026 Current Est.
$43,143
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,143 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,947 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 35.6% from $29,870 (2019) to $40,510 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,947 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,077 (53.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salt Lake City 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $38,180 – $41,205 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,205 – $43,143 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,143 – $49,182 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,182 – $51,834 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Salt Lake City
Examining the broader context, Salt Lake City employs approximately 5,160 certified nursing assistants, underpinning a robust local job market amid a cost of living index of 100.868, which hovers just above the national average. This landscape affects take-home pay and purchasing power, emphasizing the importance of strategic job placement for maximizing earnings. Among employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals offer the highest pay, especially for those handling more complex medical cases. Factors influencing the pay range include shift differentials, with night shifts commanding additional hourly rates, and premiums for weekend work. Those looking to enhance their certified nursing assistant pay in Salt Lake City UT should consider roles that offer flexibility, such as weekend-only assignments or opportunities for certification stipends. Bridging pathways to further careers, such as moving from CNA to LPN or RN roles, remains a practical strategy for career advancement and financial growth in this evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $40,510 for certified nursing assistantsin the Salt Lake City metropolitan area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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