How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Utah
Utah employs approximately 12,260 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $39,840 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Utah, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Utah
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Utah? Utah requires credentials such as REGISTERED NURSE, NURSE ANESTHETIST, NURSE MIDWIFE. The licensing authority is the Utah Department of Commerece - Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Utah? Yes. Utah has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Utah Department of Commerece - Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Utah? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Utah is $39,840 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $34,870 and experienced professionals can earn $47,080 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Utah Department of Commerece - Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing
- Median wage (Utah): $39,840 per year 1
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Utah
The Utah Department of Commerece - Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Utah 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| REGISTERED NURSE | Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. |
| NURSE ANESTHETIST | A nurse who specializes in the administration of anesthesia. a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who has acquired graduate-level education a… |
| NURSE MIDWIFE | Independent management of women’s health care, focusing particularly on pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, care of the newborn, and the family planning and gynecological needs of women. |
| Nurse Practitioners | |
| ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE | “Advanced practice registered nurse” or “APRN” means a nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or clinical nurse specialist to the extent a party state licenses or grants authority to pr… |
| LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE | Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Utah
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Utah
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Utah vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City-Murray | 5,160 | $40,510 | $42,000 | $35,850 | $48,670 |
| Ogden | 2,280 | $38,480 | $39,440 | $33,570 | $45,880 |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi | 2,190 | $39,230 | $39,310 | $34,860 | $45,290 |
| St. George | 1,090 | $40,520 | $40,410 | $35,580 | $47,950 |
| Logan | 630 | $35,720 | $36,300 | $29,910 | $42,890 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Utah
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Utah according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City-Murray | 5,160 | $40,510 |
| Ogden | 2,280 | $38,480 |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi | 2,190 | $39,230 |
| St. George | 1,090 | $40,520 |
| Logan | 630 | $35,720 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Utah? Utah currently employs approximately 12,260 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Utah with an out-of-state license? Contact the Utah Department of Commerece - Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Utah? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Utah.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Utah compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Utah is $39,840, which is $310 above the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Utah Department of Commerece - Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing - Licensing Information: https://dopl.utah.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |