Utah Minimum Wage: What You Really Need to Know in 2025

When it comes to the Utah minimum wage, the hourly pay rate employers must pay most workers in Utah, which currently matches the federal standard. Also known as state minimum pay, it’s the baseline for earnings—but it doesn’t tell the whole story about what workers actually take home. Unlike states like California or Washington that set their own higher rates, Utah hasn’t raised its minimum wage above the federal level since 2009. That means as of 2025, the legal floor is still $7.25 an hour for most employees.

This number affects more than just fast food workers or retail clerks. It impacts caregivers, warehouse staff, seasonal farm laborers, and even some gig workers who aren’t classified as independent contractors. The federal minimum wage, the national standard set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Also known as federal pay floor, it’s been stuck at $7.25 since 2009 because Congress hasn’t passed an increase. Without state action, Utah has no legal power to raise it. That’s why many workers here rely on tips, overtime, or second jobs to make ends meet.

There’s a big difference between what’s legal and what’s fair. Some employers in Salt Lake City or Provo pay $15 or more—even though they’re not required to—because they know it helps them keep good staff. Meanwhile, rural areas still see jobs paying just above the minimum, with no benefits, no sick leave, and no raises for years. The labor laws in Utah, the state rules governing employment, overtime, and worker protections. Also known as Utah employment regulations, they don’t require meal breaks or paid time off, making the minimum wage even harder to live on.

What you won’t find in official documents is how much this rate hurts families. A single adult working 40 hours a week at $7.25 earns $15,080 a year—before taxes. That’s below the poverty line for just one person in most parts of Utah. For a family of three, it’s impossible. Rent, groceries, and gas have all gone up. Wages haven’t. And while some states vote to raise their minimums every few years, Utah’s legislature keeps deferring the issue.

So what does this mean for you? If you’re an employee, know your rights—even if the pay is low, you’re still owed overtime for hours over 40 in a week, and your employer can’t legally withhold your paycheck. If you’re a landlord, small business owner, or property manager in Utah, you need to understand that paying minimum wage doesn’t mean you’re avoiding responsibility—it means you’re operating on a tight margin, and your tenants or staff might be struggling just to stay housed.

Below, you’ll find real stories and data from people dealing with these numbers every day. From how landlords factor in pay rates when setting rent, to how workers in Utah compare to those in Texas or Virginia, this collection gives you the unfiltered truth—not the talking points.