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As of January 1, 2024, the minimum wage in Utah is $7.25 per hour for non-tipped employees and $2.13 for tipped employees. These rates align with federal rates, which haven’t witnessed any changes since the last decade. However, Utah may soon witness significant changes to its wage structure, with several discussions around an age-based minimum wage system.
Under this system, Utah aims to establish different minimum wage rates for various age groups to reflect their skills and experience levels. Here’s a breakdown of the proposed age-based system:
- Employees under 18: $10.00 per hour
- Ages 18 – 20: $13.00 per hour
- Ages 21 – 22: $15.00 per hour
- Ages 23 and above: $19.00 per hour
While this system sounds progressive, it’s not currently implemented. For now, employers must adhere to the standard federal minimum wage of $7.25.
In the next section, let’s explore the current city-wise minimum wage breakdown of the Beehive State.
Minimum Wages in Utah Cities
Unlike some states with varying local minimum wages, Utah’s minimum wage remains consistent across all cities.
Here’s a table summarizing the minimum wage rates for the top 30 cities in Utah:
| City | Non-Tipped Minimum Wage | Tipped Minimum Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| West Valley City | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Provo | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Sandy | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Orem | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Ogden | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| St. George | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Layton | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Murray | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Logan | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Draper | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Bountiful | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Lehi | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Riverton | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Spanish Fork | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Pleasent Grove | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Saratoga Springs | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Tooele | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Cedar City | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Eagle Mountain | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Springville | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Brigham City | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| South Jordan | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| American Fork | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Payson | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Farmington | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Kaysville | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Monticello | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Heber City | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Park City | $7.25 | $2.13 |
While Utah’s minimum wage structure is straightforward, there are additional regulations for exempt employees under federal law. Let’s explore it in the next section.
Threshold For Employees Exempt
Utah, like other U.S. states, follows the guidelines set by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) when it comes to classifying employees under the following heads:
- Non-exempt employees are directly covered by federal minimum wage laws and must be paid overtime for any hours worked beyond 40 per week at a rate of 1.5 times their regular hourly wage.
- Exempt employees are salaried individuals who are excluded from the minimum wage and overtime regulations. However, the minimum salary threshold for these employees has recently changed.
On April 23, 2024, the US Department of Labour (DOL) raised the minimum salary threshold for exempt employees from $684 per week to $844 per week. Any employer who fails to meet this requirement risks losing their employees’ exempt status, entitling them to overtime pay.
In the next section, let’s understand the changes witnessed in Utah minimum wages and the historical significance they hold.
Historical Data of Utah Minimum Wages
While Utah’s minimum wage has remained stagnant since 2009, the history of wage adjustments in the state is an interesting journey.
Here is a table summarizing the changes in the minimum wages of the state between 1963 to 2023:
| Time Period | Year | Minimum Wage (in $) |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 to 1981 | 1968* | 1.00 – 1.15** |
| 1968 to 1981 | 1970* | 1.00 – 1.15** |
| 1968 to 1981 | 1972 | 1.20 – 1.35** |
| 1968 to 1981 | 1976* | 1.55 – 1.70** |
| 1968 to 1981 | 1979 | 2.20 – 2.45** |
| 1968 to 1981 | 1980 | 2.35 – 2.60** |
| 1968 to 1981 | 1981 | 2.50 – 2.75** |
| 1988 to 1998 | 1988 | 2.50 – 2.75** |
| 1988 to 1998 | 1991 | 3.80 |
| 1988 to 1998 | 1992 | 4.25 |
| 1988 to 1998 | 1994 | 4.25 |
| 1988 to 1998 | 1996 | 4.25 |
| 1988 to 1998 | 1997 | 4.75 |
| 1988 to 1998 | 1998 | 5.15 |
| 2000 to 2006 | 2000 | 5.15 |
| 2000 to 2006 | 2001 | 5.15 |
| 2000 to 2006 | 2002 | 5.15 |
| 2000 to 2006 | 2003 | 5.15 |
| 2000 to 2006 | 2004 | 5.15 |
| 2000 to 2006 | 2005 | 5.15 |
| 2000 to 2006 | 2006 | 5.15 |
| 2007 to 2013 | 2007 | 5.15 |
| 2007 to 2013 | 2008 | 5.85 |
| 2007 to 2013 | 2009 | 6.55 |
| 2007 to 2013 | 2010 | 7.25 |
| 2007 to 2013 | 2011 | 7.25 |
| 2007 to 2013 | 2012 | 7.25 |
| 2007 to 2013 | 2013 | 7.25 |
| 2014 to 2019 | 2014 | 7.25 |
| 2014 to 2019 | 2015 | 7.25 |
| 2014 to 2019 | 2016 | 7.25 |
| 2014 to 2019 | 2017 | 7.25 |
| 2014 to 2019 | 2018 | 7.25 |
| 2014 to 2019 | 2019 | 7.25 |
| 2020 to 2023 | 2020 | 7.25 |
| 2020 to 2023 | 2021 | 7.25 |
| 2020 to 2023 | 2022 | 7.25 |
| 2020 to 2023 | 2023 | 7.25 |
* – Under the FLSA, the two rates shown in 1968, 1970, and 1976 reflect the former multiple-track minimum wage system in effect from 1961 to 1978.
** – Rates applicable to only women and minors.
Source: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/minimum-wage/history
Exemptions in Minimum Wages of Utah
Several groups of workers are exempt from receiving the state’s mandated minimum wage. These include:
- Student workers
- Workers below 20 years of age
- Employees with disabilities
- Immediate family members employed by a family business
- Seasonal employees of non-profit, educational, or charitable organizations
- Prisoners employed through the penal system
- Casual and domestic employees
- Part-time workers
