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
Hereโs the thing about St. George that most people miss: itโs not just retirees and red rocks anymore. The cityโs 2.8% unemployment rate is shockingly low, even for 2026, and itโs quietly become a magnet for tech workers whoโve figured out they can code for a Silicon Valley salary while paying for life in Utah.
Letโs talk purchasing power. The cost of living index sits at 109.1โabout 9% above the national averageโso itโs not exactly cheap. But hereโs the catch: a one-bedroom apartment runs $1,099 a month. Thatโs a steal compared to any major coastal city, and it means your median household income of $77,431 stretches surprisingly far. Youโre 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 youโve got Dickโs Sporting Goodsโ distribution center anchoring logistics. The software developer crowd has swelled, tooโhence that $125,351 average salary for coders. Itโs 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 arenโt 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 youโre in marketing, pharmacy, or project management, St. George offers a rare comboโsolid paychecks and a life that doesnโt require a second job. For everyone else? Itโs manageable, but youโll need to budget.
Below, youโll see the real numbers for top-paying jobs, the COL-adjusted salaries that tell the true story, and how your field stacks up.
๐ Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in St. George
Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.
Marketing Manager
Pharmacist
Software Developer
Construction Manager
Project Manager
๐ 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.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.
๐๏ธ Living Costs in St. George
๐งฎ 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
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๐ Editor's Verdict: Is St. George Worth It?
My verdict? St. George can be worth it, but only if youโre in the right role. The average $68,739 salary doesnโt 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 youโre eyeing a move, donโt come unless youโve locked in a salary that beats the local average by at least 20%โotherwise, youโll be working just to afford the sunshine.