Utah is quickly becoming one of the more popular places to live, as people from out of state continue to move in, and those who have grown up here want to stay. The scenic views, great family environment, and beautiful homes are all great, but a strong reason Utah’s population is growing is because of the economy and career opportunities people can find here.
But even with a great career, financial stability and a good salary are important. In this article, we’ll explore the average salary in Utah and what you can expect to make when you move to the state.
The average salary in Utah, as reported by Utah’s Department of Workforce Services in 2020, was $77,785.
Although this is a great reference point, the average salary range is much larger and obviously varies greatly across industries. If you’re looking to make Utah your home, here is a glimpse into more specific industries and the average salary you can expect within each one. Each is the average salary as reported in Quarter 3 of 2022.
Mining
Average Salary: $94,337
Construction
Average Salary: $64,659
Manufacturing
Average Salary: $69,509
Transportation/Utilities
Average Salary: $61,600- $117,533
Information
Average Salary: $102,249
Financial Activities
Average Salary: $81,798
Professional/Business Services
Average Salary: $77,752
Education/Health/Social Services
Average Salary: $53,103
Leisure/Hospitality Services
Average Salary: $26,783
Government
Average Salary: $49,177- $81,125
Utah’s four largest employers are Intermountain Healthcare, the University of Utah, Walmart, and the State of Utah, with each of them employing upwards of 20,000 Utahns. Besides grocery stores and education institutions, other large Utah employers include Northrop Grumman (Aerospace), Amazon, Delta Airlines, Vivint, and ARUP Laboratories. School districts, universities, and local and federal governments continuously remain top employers as well.
There are a variety of companies and job opportunities. See here for a full list of top Utah employers.
For a single individual, the cost of living in Utah is $1871 a month, including rent, which is 1.11 times less than the average cost of living in the United States. For a family of four, this cost of living increases to $4362 each month.
Your salary compared to the cost of living in your area is an important factor to keep in mind. Even if you have a high or average salary, the cost of living may end up making it feel like you’re living paycheck to paycheck. Luckily, Utah is one of the few states where salaries have continued to increase, and wages for most workers have kept up with the rate of inflation. The vast majority of employment sectors saw a significant uptick in salaries. Some industries have seen as much as a $10,000 increase in wages, while only a few (retail trade, financial activities, and information) saw wages decrease.
For a further breakdown of the cost of living, see how many popular Utah cities compare to one another.
Pre-pandemic unemployment rates were low. 2021 and 2022 saw a push into even lower unemployment rates, down to a low of 2.3 percent in the state of Utah. This labor shortage, while challenging for business owners, helps increase the wages of both existing workers and new hires and companies scramble to incentivize working for their businesses.
Utah’s economy is ranked the best in the nation, making it a great place for both employers and employees to work and thrive. More and more people continue to make Utah their home not only for the world-famous outdoor activities but also for the strong workforce and career opportunities it provides.
Looking into making Utah your home? No dream career with an average salary in Utah is complete without a dream home. See EDGEhome’s plans and newly developed areas to find the perfect place to settle down.
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