๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 95 โ€” Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Layton, UT

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 40 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$53,583
across 40 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$56,344
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$125,389
1BR Rent
$1,283
median monthly

Laytonโ€™s secret isnโ€™t the mountainsโ€”itโ€™s that your paycheck stretches surprisingly far for a city with such a low unemployment rate. At just 2.8%, jobs are plentiful, yet the median household income ($99,866) comfortably outpaces the national average. It feels less like a trade-off and more like a quiet win.

The cost of living index sits at 95.1, meaning your dollar buys about 5% more here than the U.S. average. Take a one-bedroom apartment at $1,283 a month; thatโ€™s a real relief compared to what youโ€™d pay in Salt Lake City proper. For a household pulling in that $100k median, youโ€™re not just getting byโ€”youโ€™re building savings. Itโ€™s a genuine bargain for the stability you get.

This isnโ€™t a tech boomtown, but itโ€™s anchored by Hill Air Force Base and a growing slice of aerospace and defense contractors. The software developer salary ($125,389) is the clear outlier, a holdover from the Wasatch Frontโ€™s broader tech scene. The real backbone here is healthcare and skilled tradesโ€”registered nurses and electricians earn solid, middle-class wages that go a long way. With 37.5% of adults holding a bachelor's degree, there's a skilled workforce ready for these roles.

Hereโ€™s my honest take: wages are holding steady, but donโ€™t expect the explosive growth youโ€™d see in a major coastal city. The catch is that while itโ€™s affordable now, youโ€™re betting on Laytonโ€™s continued, steady growth. Itโ€™s a fantastic fit for young families, remote workers who want more space, and skilled tradespeople who can command a premium.

The numbers below will show you exactly where the money is, and more importantly, what it really gets you in Layton.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Layton

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ -2% vs national

Software Developer

$125,389
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $131,850
โฑ Hourly $60.28/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ -2% vs national

Accountant

$84,814
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $89,184
โฑ Hourly $40.78/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ -2% vs national

Registered Nurse

$84,804
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $89,174
โฑ Hourly $40.77/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ -2% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$62,734
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $65,966
โฑ Hourly $30.16/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ -2% vs national

Electrician

$60,645
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $63,770
โฑ Hourly $29.16/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 40 Occupations in Layton

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (95/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is below the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $125,389
2 Accountant $84,814
3 Registered Nurse $84,804
4 Elementary School Teacher $62,734
5 Electrician $60,645
6 Real Estate Agent $60,576
7 Heavy Truck Driver $52,309
8 Nail Technician $49,265
9 Cosmetologist $49,265
10 Personal Trainer $49,265
11 Chef/Head Cook $49,265
12 Auto Mechanic $49,265
13 Veterinary Technician $49,265
14 Pharmacy Technician $49,265
15 Dental Assistant $49,265
16 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $49,265
17 Project Manager $49,265
18 Police Officer $49,265
19 Graphic Designer $49,265
20 Data Analyst $49,265
21 Plumber $49,265
22 Loan Officer $49,265
23 Insurance Agent $49,265
24 Carpenter $49,265
25 Physical Therapist $49,265
26 Human Resources Specialist $49,265
27 Financial Analyst $49,265
28 Pharmacist $49,265
29 HVAC Technician $49,265
30 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $49,265
31 Firefighter $49,265
32 Construction Manager $49,265
33 Web Developer $49,265
34 Marketing Manager $49,265
35 Medical Assistant $49,265
36 Paralegal $49,265
37 Welder $49,265
38 Social Worker $49,265
39 Dental Hygienist $49,265
40 Security Guard $35,608

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Layton

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,283/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,603/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$519,950
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
2.8%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$99,866
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
37%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
95
Below Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Layton?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Layton. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Layton Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Layton, UT?

โ–ผ
Across 40 occupations, the average salary is $53,583. This is 46% lower than the highest-paying role (Software Developer at $125,389). Insight: The median household income of $99,866 suggests many households rely on dual incomes or higher-earning roles to surpass the average.

What jobs pay the most in Layton?

โ–ผ
The highest-paying role is Software Developer at $125,389. This salary is 134% higher than the $53,583 average across 40 occupations. Insight: Tech roles command a premium, but the COL Index of 95.1 means this salary goes further than in many other U.S. cities.

Is Layton affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a $125,389 Software Developer salary is highly affordable in Layton. With a 1BR rent of $1,283/month and a COL Index of 95.1 (5% below average), housing costs are low relative to income. Insight: This salary allows for significant savings, as rent is only ~12% of gross monthly income.

How does Layton's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Layton's COL Index of 95.1 means living costs are 4.9% lower than the U.S. average. For a $53,583 average salary, this effectively boosts purchasing power, making $1,283/month rent manageable. Insight: Your paycheck stretches further, but high-earning roles like Software Developer maximize this advantage.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Layton?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably, aim for at least $75,000โ€“$85,000, covering 30% on housing ($1,283/mo for 1BR) and savings. This is above the $53,583 average but below the $99,866 median household income. Insight: With a COL Index of 95.1, a Software Developer's $125,389 salary offers a comfortable buffer for discretionary spending and investments.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Layton Worth It?

As Laytonโ€™s editor, hereโ€™s my honest verdict: financially, yes, Layton is worth it for the right person. The cost-of-living index at 95.1 means your money goes further than the national average, and rent at $1,283 a month is still manageable. The average salary of $53,583 wonโ€™t make you rich, but the opportunity here does.

Who wins? Tech workers, hands down. Software Developers earn $125,389 on average, and with the COL adjustment, their real-world pay hits a commanding $131,850. Healthcare and skilled trades can do well, but tech is in a league of its own.

My advice? If you're considering the move, lock in a job with a tech company first. Don't move here on a hope and a prayer; move here with an offer that leverages this market. That's how you win in Layton.

Explore Layton Further