๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 109 โ€” Near Avg Cost

Salaries in St. George, UT

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

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

Avg. Salary
$68,739
across 40 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$63,006
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Marketing Manager
$155,255
1BR Rent
$1,099
median monthly

Hereโ€™s the thing about St. George that most people miss: itโ€™s not just retirees and red rocks anymore. The cityโ€™s 2.8% unemployment rate is shockingly low, even for 2026, and itโ€™s quietly become a magnet for tech workers whoโ€™ve figured out they can code for a Silicon Valley salary while paying for life in Utah.

Letโ€™s talk purchasing power. The cost of living index sits at 109.1โ€”about 9% above the national averageโ€”so itโ€™s not exactly cheap. But hereโ€™s the catch: a one-bedroom apartment runs $1,099 a month. Thatโ€™s a steal compared to any major coastal city, and it means your median household income of $77,431 stretches surprisingly far. Youโ€™re not getting crushed by rent the way you would be in Austin or Denver, even if groceries and utilities nibble at the edges.

The economy here runs on healthcare, construction, and a growing tech sector. Intermountain Healthcare is a massive employer, and youโ€™ve got Dickโ€™s Sporting Goodsโ€™ distribution center anchoring logistics. The software developer crowd has swelled, tooโ€”hence that $125,351 average salary for coders. Itโ€™s a city where a construction manager can clear six figures and actually afford a house with a yard, which feels almost radical these days.

Now, the honest part: wages arenโ€™t keeping pace with the cost increases that have hit the Mountain West. That 109.1 COL index has crept up over the past few years, and the gap between what you earn and what you spend is tightening. Still, if youโ€™re in marketing, pharmacy, or project management, St. George offers a rare comboโ€”solid paychecks and a life that doesnโ€™t require a second job. For everyone else? Itโ€™s manageable, but youโ€™ll need to budget.

Below, youโ€™ll see the real numbers for top-paying jobs, the COL-adjusted salaries that tell the true story, and how your field stacks up.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in St. George

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

๐Ÿฅ‡ -2% vs national

Marketing Manager

$155,255
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $142,305
โฑ Hourly $74.64/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 209
๐Ÿฅˆ -2% vs national

Pharmacist

$133,989
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $122,813
โฑ Hourly $64.42/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth -3.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 209
๐Ÿฅ‰ -2% vs national

Software Developer

$125,351
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $114,896
โฑ Hourly $60.26/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 627
4๏ธโƒฃ -2% vs national

Construction Manager

$106,586
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $97,696
โฑ Hourly $51.24/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 209
5๏ธโƒฃ -2% vs national

Project Manager

$99,760
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $91,439
โฑ Hourly $47.96/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 209

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 40 Occupations in St. George

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (109/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is above the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Marketing Manager $155,255
2 Pharmacist $133,989
3 Software Developer $125,351
4 Construction Manager $106,586
5 Project Manager $99,760
6 Physical Therapist $98,214
7 Financial Analyst $97,524
8 Web Developer $91,358
9 Dental Hygienist $86,217
10 Accountant $84,788
11 Registered Nurse $84,778
12 Data Analyst $82,109
13 Police Officer $73,786
14 Human Resources Specialist $66,635
15 Elementary School Teacher $62,714
16 Plumber $62,399
17 Paralegal $61,808
18 Electrician $60,626
19 Real Estate Agent $60,557
20 Graphic Designer $60,419
21 Firefighter $56,263
22 Carpenter $56,066
23 HVAC Technician $54,834
24 Heavy Truck Driver $52,293
25 Dental Assistant $51,364
26 Insurance Agent $51,364
27 Veterinary Technician $51,364
28 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $51,364
29 Pharmacy Technician $51,364
30 Loan Officer $51,364
31 Nail Technician $51,364
32 Cosmetologist $51,364
33 Personal Trainer $51,364
34 Auto Mechanic $51,364
35 Chef/Head Cook $51,364
36 Social Worker $51,364
37 Welder $48,846
38 Medical Assistant $37,695
39 Security Guard $37,126
40 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $35,223

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

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in St. George

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,099/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,355/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$500,000
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
2.8%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$77,431
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
38%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
45/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
109
Near Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in St. George?

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

โ“ St. George Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in St. George, UT?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations is $68,739. This is slightly below the median household income of $77,431, indicating a mix of lower and higher-earning households. The cost of living index is 109.1, making the area about 9% more expensive than the U.S. average.

What jobs pay the most in St. George?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role is Marketing Manager at $155,255. This salary is more than double the area's average of $68,739. It provides a strong income relative to the local cost of living index of 109.1.

Is St. George affordable on a Marketing Manager salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Marketing Manager salary of $155,255 is very comfortable for St. George. With a 1BR rent of $1,099/month, housing costs are manageable. The cost of living index of 109.1 means expenses are only 9% above the national average, leaving significant disposable income.

How does St. George's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
St. George's cost of living index is 109.1, meaning your paycheck has about 9% less purchasing power than the national average. For an average salary of $68,739, this translates to a real income equivalent of roughly $63,063 in a typical U.S. area. Housing is a key factor, with 1BR rent at $1,099/month.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in St. George?

โ–ผ
A comfortable salary in St. George is likely above the median household income of $77,431. To comfortably afford a 1BR apartment ($1,099/mo) and other expenses, a salary around $70,000-$80,000 is advisable. This accounts for the cost of living index of 109.1, which is slightly above the U.S. average.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is St. George Worth It?

My verdict? St. George can be worth it, but only if youโ€™re in the right role. The average $68,739 salary doesnโ€™t stretch far with a 109.1 cost-of-living index and $1,099 median rent. The real winners here are marketing managers pulling $155,255โ€”$142,305 after adjustment. Tech and healthcare pros can do well, but tradespeople often get squeezed by the COL gap. If youโ€™re eyeing a move, donโ€™t come unless youโ€™ve locked in a salary that beats the local average by at least 20%โ€”otherwise, youโ€™ll be working just to afford the sunshine.

Explore St. George Further