LPN Salary

Highland vs Salt Lake City: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Highland, UT and Salt Lake City, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Highland, UT
$62,678
$30.14/hr
Salt Lake City, UT
$70,787
$34.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHighland, UTSalt Lake City, UT
Median Salary$62,678$70,787
Hourly Rate$30.14$34.04
Entry Level (P10)$49,200$38,496
25th Percentile$60,949$59,456
75th Percentile$70,753$81,537
Top Earner (P90)$74,305$87,192
Total Employed4570
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Highland ($62,678) and Salt Lake City ($70,787) licensed practical nurse salaries.HighlandSalt Lake CityMedian Salary$62,678$70,787Entry Level (P10)$49,200$38,496Top Earner (P90)$74,305$87,192US Median $68,071

Verdict

Salt Lake City, UT offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Highland.

The salary gap between Highland and Salt Lake City is $8,109 (12.94%). Salt Lake City's median is +3.99% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Highland spans $25,105,Salt Lake City spans $48,696. Salt Lake City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced licensed practical nurses.

Highland
P10 (Entry)$49,200
P25$60,949
Median$62,678
P75$70,753
P90 (Top)$74,305
Salt Lake City
P10 (Entry)$38,496
P25$59,456
Median$70,787
P75$81,537
P90 (Top)$87,192

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salt Lake City ($70,178 effective) pays 9.84% more than Highland ($63,892 effective).

Highland
Nominal: $62,678
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $63,892
Salt Lake City
Nominal: $70,787
CoL Index: 100.868
Adjusted: $70,178

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Highland if…

  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Choose Salt Lake City if…

  • Higher median salary ($70,787/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($87,192)
  • Larger job market (570 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,178)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Highland grew 12.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.5% growth in Salt Lake City over the same period.

Highland, UT

+12.7%

$52,623 (2024) → $59,298 (2025)

Salt Lake City, UT

+24.5%

$53,810 (2019) → $66,970 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Highland or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $70,787/year, compared to Highland at $62,678/year — a difference of $8,109 (12.94%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Highland and Salt Lake City?

Highland licensed practical nurses earn $30.14/hr while Salt Lake City hygienists earn $34.04/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Highland to Salt Lake City as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Highland and Salt Lake City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Highland = $63,892, Salt Lake City = $70,178), job availability (4 vs 570 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Highland vs Salt Lake City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $49,200 in Highland and $38,496 in Salt Lake City. The Highland area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Thompson, LPNData verified by Maria Gonzalez, LPN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov