๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 96 โ€” Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Sandy, UT

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

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

Avg. Salary
$53,796
across 40 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$55,805
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$125,885
1BR Rent
$1,301
median monthly

Hereโ€™s a look at what you can actually earnโ€”and spendโ€”in Sandy in 2026.

You might assume a city just south of Salt Lake with a median income over $108,000 must be pricey. Itโ€™s not. Sandyโ€™s cost of living sits at 96.4, meaning your dollars stretch further than the national average. Thatโ€™s a quiet advantage that doesnโ€™t show up in headline salaries.

Letโ€™s talk real purchasing power. A one-bedroom apartment runs about $1,301 a month. With a median household income of $108,926, thatโ€™s roughly 14% of pre-tax income going to rentโ€”a ratio most coastal cities would kill for. The COL-adjusted average salary here bumps up to $55,805, showing that while nominal wages might look modest, your actual take-home buys more. Itโ€™s not a bargain basement, but itโ€™s a far cry from the squeeze you feel in Denver or Austin.

So whoโ€™s thriving? The tech pipeline from Salt Lake City spills over, making Software Developers the clear winners with a median of $125,885. But Sandyโ€™s economy is more balanced than youโ€™d expect. Healthcare is huge, thanks to nearby Intermountain facilities, keeping Registered Nurses in steady demand at about $85,000. Education and skilled trades also hold strong, with teachers and electricians earning solid, middle-class wages. With unemployment at a razor-thin 2.8%, the market is tight for employers, which gives workers a bit more leverage.

Hereโ€™s my honest take: wages are keeping pace with costs, but just barely. The cityโ€™s 37.5% bachelorโ€™s degree rate is below the national average, suggesting a lot of good-paying jobs donโ€™t require a four-year degree. For a family with dual incomes or a skilled tradesperson, Sandy offers a financially stable life without the chaos. If youโ€™re a top-tier software engineer, you might earn more in Seattleโ€”but your housing costs will eat it alive.

The data below breaks down the top-paying jobs, both raw and adjusted for what youโ€™ll actually pay to live here. Itโ€™s a practical starting point for anyone eyeing this slice of Utah.

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

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

๐Ÿฅ‡ -1% vs national

Software Developer

$125,885
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $130,586
โฑ Hourly $60.52/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ -1% vs national

Accountant

$85,150
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $88,330
โฑ Hourly $40.94/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ -1% vs national

Registered Nurse

$85,140
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $88,320
โฑ Hourly $40.93/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ -1% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$62,982
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $65,334
โฑ Hourly $30.28/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ -1% vs national

Electrician

$60,885
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $63,159
โฑ Hourly $29.27/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

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

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (96/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is below the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $125,885
2 Accountant $85,150
3 Registered Nurse $85,140
4 Elementary School Teacher $62,982
5 Electrician $60,885
6 Real Estate Agent $60,816
7 Heavy Truck Driver $52,516
8 Nail Technician $49,460
9 Cosmetologist $49,460
10 Chef/Head Cook $49,460
11 Personal Trainer $49,460
12 Auto Mechanic $49,460
13 Social Worker $49,460
14 Police Officer $49,460
15 Project Manager $49,460
16 Graphic Designer $49,460
17 Loan Officer $49,460
18 Data Analyst $49,460
19 Paralegal $49,460
20 Plumber $49,460
21 Carpenter $49,460
22 Human Resources Specialist $49,460
23 Physical Therapist $49,460
24 Financial Analyst $49,460
25 Pharmacist $49,460
26 HVAC Technician $49,460
27 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $49,460
28 Firefighter $49,460
29 Construction Manager $49,460
30 Dental Hygienist $49,460
31 Web Developer $49,460
32 Marketing Manager $49,460
33 Insurance Agent $49,460
34 Medical Assistant $49,460
35 Veterinary Technician $49,460
36 Welder $49,460
37 Dental Assistant $49,460
38 Pharmacy Technician $49,460
39 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $49,460
40 Security Guard $35,749

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

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Sandy

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,301/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,626/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$637,800
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
2.8%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$108,926
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
37%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
96
Below Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Sandy?

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

โ“ Sandy Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Sandy, UT?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Sandy is $53,796. This is below the median household income of $108,926, indicating many households rely on dual incomes or higher earners.

What jobs pay the most in Sandy?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role in Sandy is Software Developer at $125,885. This is more than double the average salary of $53,796, highlighting a significant premium for tech skills.

Is Sandy affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a $125,885 Software Developer salary is very affordable in Sandy, where the cost of living index is 96.4 (3.6% below the U.S. average). With 1BR rent at $1,301/month, housing costs are manageable for this income.

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

โ–ผ
Sandy's COL index of 96.4 means your paycheck goes 3.6% further than the national average. For example, a $53,796 average salary has the purchasing power of about $55,732 nationally.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Sandy?

โ–ผ
A comfortable salary in Sandy is roughly $85,000-$95,000, based on the median household income of $108,926 and a COL index of 96.4. This allows for 1BR rent at $1,301/month plus savings and discretionary spending.

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

Hereโ€™s my honest verdict: Sandy wonโ€™t make you rich on average, but itโ€™s a solid value. With a cost-of-living index of 96.4 and rent around $1,301, your paycheck stretches further than in many metros. The average salary of $53,796 is modest, yet Software Developers are crushing itโ€”$125,885 raw and $130,586 adjusted. Tech workers clearly win here; healthcare and trades can do fine, but the upside isnโ€™t as dramatic. If youโ€™re considering the move, come with a job offer in handโ€”ideally in techโ€”and negotiate hard. Sandyโ€™s affordability helps, but salaries arenโ€™t universally booming, so donโ€™t bet on a generic role carrying you.

Explore Sandy Further