Utah Minimum Wage 2026: $7.25 per Hour, Tipped $2.13
Utah's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour in 2026, matching the federal rate, with a $2.13 tipped cash wage and the same rate for minors. Coverage under the Utah Minimum Wage Act, exemptions, overtime, the 2026 bill to raise the rate, local preemption, and full-time earnings.
Utah's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour in 2026, the same as the federal minimum wage and unchanged since 2009. Tipped employees can be paid a cash wage of $2.13 per hour plus tips, and minors are paid the same $7.25 rate as adults. Utah law prohibits cities and counties from setting a higher rate, and no increase has been enacted, although bills to raise the rate were filed in the 2026 session.
- Utah's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, equal to the federal rate, unchanged since 2009
- Tipped employees can be paid $2.13 in cash wages with up to a $5.12 tip credit
- Utah sets the minor minimum wage at the same $7.25 as adults; only the federal 90-day youth wage of $4.25 is lower
- State law preempts local minimum wages, so Salt Lake City follows $7.25
- Increase bills were introduced in 2026 but none has become law
Current Utah Minimum Wage
The Utah Minimum Wage Act (Utah Code 34-40) sets the state minimum wage at $7.25 per hour and directs the Utah Labor Commission to keep it consistent with the federal rate. The Commission's Antidiscrimination and Labor Division confirms this on its minimum wage page, and the Department of Workforce Services' wage poster states that the Utah law "is consistent with the federal minimum wage law." The US Department of Labor lists Utah at $7.25 in its state minimum wage table.
Utah has not had a state rate above the federal minimum in modern history. Bills to change that appear most sessions; in 2026, Senate Bill 179 proposed raising the rate substantially and indexing it to inflation, but it was not enacted. The rate remains $7.25.
Utah Minimum Wage vs Federal Minimum Wage
| Rate | Utah | Federal (FLSA) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | $7.25 per hour | $7.25 per hour |
| Tipped cash wage | $2.13 | $2.13 |
| Difference | Same as federal | Baseline |
| Last changed | See schedule below | July 24, 2009 |
When state and federal rates differ, the employer must pay the higher one for any employee covered by both laws. Because Utah's rate equals the federal minimum, the practical rate is $7.25 for nearly every worker, and the state law matters mainly for the employers and rules it covers that the FLSA does not. The federal rate has been $7.25 since July 24, 2009, and there is no scheduled federal increase. Our minimum wage by state guide compares every state.
Tipped Minimum Wage in Utah
Utah follows the federal tip credit rules. The Labor Commission's minimum wage rules set the employer's cash wage obligation for tipped employees at $2.13 per hour, with a tip credit of up to $5.12, as long as the employee's cash wage plus tips reaches $7.25 for every hour worked. The employer must pay any shortfall.
Utah uses the federal $30-a-month tip threshold. Tips belong to the employee, and mandatory tip pools may include only customarily tipped workers.
| Item | Utah (2026) | Federal |
|---|---|---|
| Full minimum wage | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped employees | $2.13 | $2.13 |
| Maximum tip credit | $5.12 | $5.12 |
Utah Minimum Wage Increase Schedule
| Effective date | Minimum wage |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $7.25 |
| 2022 | $7.25 |
| 2023 | $7.25 |
| 2024 | $7.25 |
| 2025 | $7.25 |
| 2026 | $7.25 |
No increase is scheduled. Utah law keeps the state rate consistent with the federal minimum, so it rises if Congress acts. Otherwise a change requires the Legislature to amend the Minimum Wage Act, and the 2026 proposals did not pass.
Local Minimum Wages in Utah
Utah Code 34-40-106 prohibits cities, counties, and other political subdivisions from setting a minimum wage that differs from the state rate. Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden, and St. George all follow $7.25. Many employers in the Wasatch Front labor market pay well above the minimum, but no ordinance requires it.
How Utah Compares to Neighboring States
Employers that hire across state lines, or compete for workers with employers over the border, should know how Utah compares. Rates below are the US Department of Labor's figures as of July 1, 2026.
| State | 2026 minimum wage | Tipped cash wage |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho | $7.25 | $3.35 |
| Wyoming | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Colorado | $15.16 | $12.14 |
| New Mexico | $12.00 | $3.00 |
| Arizona | $15.15 | $12.15 |
| Nevada | $12.00 | Full minimum wage (no tip credit) |
| Utah | $7.25 | $2.13 |
Idaho and Wyoming pay the same rate as Utah, while Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada pay more, which is why employers near those borders often pay above the legal minimum to compete for staff. Remote employees are generally owed the minimum wage of the state where they physically work, not where the employer is based, so an Utah company with staff in a neighboring state must apply that state's rate to those employees.
Who Is Covered and Who Is Exempt
The Utah Minimum Wage Act applies to most employers in the state, and the Labor Commission's rules (Utah Admin. Code R610-1) exempt several groups from the state minimum wage:
- Employees covered by the federal FLSA (they are protected by the federal rate instead, which is identical)
- Outside salespeople and members of the employer's immediate family
- Companions to the ill, elderly, or disabled who live in the home
- Casual and domestic employees, and workers in seasonal camps
- Agricultural workers in some circumstances
- Registered apprentices and students in some circumstances
- Bona fide executive, administrative, and professional employees
Utah's rules set the minimum wage for minors at the same $7.25 rate, so there is no separate state youth wage. Under the federal FLSA, employees under 20 may be paid $4.25 for their first 90 consecutive days. Our exempt vs non-exempt guide explains the federal tests.
Overtime and the Minimum Wage
Utah has no state overtime law for private employers. The federal FLSA applies: time and a half for hours over 40 in a workweek for non-exempt employees, with no daily overtime.
Here is what a 45-hour week costs at the Utah minimum wage under the 40-hour rule:
| Line | Hours | Rate | Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular hours | 40 | $7.25 | $290.00 |
| Overtime hours | 5 | $10.88 (1.5x) | $54.38 |
| Gross pay for the week | 45 | $344.38 |
Overtime must be calculated on the employee's regular rate, which includes shift differentials and non-discretionary bonuses, not just the base wage. See our guide to overtime pay laws in the US and use the overtime calculator to check a specific week.
What a Minimum Wage Worker Earns in Utah
| Basis | Hourly | Weekly (40 hours) | Monthly (173.33 hours) | Annual (2,080 hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full minimum wage | $7.25 | $290.00 | $1,256.64 | $15,080.00 |
| Tipped cash wage only | $2.13 | $85.20 | $369.19 | $4,430.40 |
These are gross figures before taxes and deductions, and they assume a full 40-hour week with no unpaid time off. A tipped employee's total pay must reach at least the full minimum wage row once tips are added. To convert a different hourly rate, use the salary to hourly calculator, and see our explainer on gross pay for what is included before deductions.
Employer Compliance Checklist
- Pay at least $7.25 per hour for every hour worked, including training, meetings, and time spent waiting or on call at the workplace
- If you take a tip credit, give written notice, track tips by pay period, and make up any shortfall to $7.25
- Display the required state and federal minimum wage posters where employees can see them
- Pay overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek, and never average hours across weeks
- Keep accurate time records for at least three years; a time card calculator helps verify weekly totals before payroll runs
- Review exempt classifications against the salary and duties tests; a job title alone does not make an employee exempt
- Cross-check breaks, leave, and overtime rules in our Utah labor law guide
- Check the labor law compliance hub for related state rules on breaks, leave, and final pay
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Utah in 2026?
$7.25 per hour, the same as the federal minimum wage. Utah law keeps the state rate consistent with the federal rate.
Is Utah raising the minimum wage?
No increase has been enacted as of September 2026. Bills to raise and index the rate were filed in the 2026 session but did not pass.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Utah?
$2.13 per hour in cash wages with a tip credit of up to $5.12. Tips must bring the employee to at least $7.25 per hour.
What is the minimum wage for minors in Utah?
$7.25 per hour, the same as for adults. The only lower rate is the federal $4.25 youth wage for employees under 20 during their first 90 consecutive days.
Can Salt Lake City set a higher minimum wage?
No. Utah law prohibits local governments from setting a minimum wage different from the state rate.
Does Utah have daily overtime?
No. Utah follows the federal rule of time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek.
How much does a full-time minimum wage worker earn in Utah?
$290 a week and $15,080 a year before taxes at $7.25 per hour, based on 2,080 hours.
Sources
- Utah Labor Commission, Minimum Wage
- Utah DWS, Employee Rights poster (PDF)
- Utah Legislature, S.B. 179 Wage Amendments (2026)
- US DOL, State Minimum Wage Laws (July 1, 2026)
- US Department of Labor, Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees
Reviewed September 2026
Rates and rules on this page were checked against the US Department of Labor's state minimum wage tables (effective July 1, 2026) and the Utah sources listed above. Minimum wage laws change through legislation, ballot measures, indexing, and court decisions. Confirm the current rate with the state labor agency before setting pay, and see our labor law compliance guides for related rules.
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