Utah Job Market: Top Industries, Salaries & Employers (2026)
Guide to the Utah job market in 2026. Technology, healthcare, outdoor recreation, and defense across Salt Lake City and Silicon Slopes.
Utah has the youngest median age and one of the fastest population growth rates in the nation. The Silicon Slopes tech corridor has attracted billions in venture capital, and companies like Qualtrics, Pluralsight, and Domo have put Utah on the tech map. The state consistently ranks #1 for economic dynamism.
Top Industries
- Technology: Silicon Slopes (Lehi/Draper/Provo) hosts Adobe, Qualtrics (SAP), Pluralsight, Lucid Software, Podium, and 8,000+ tech companies. Average tech salary: $105,000. Utah ranks #1 for tech job growth percentage.
- Healthcare: Intermountain Health (largest private employer in UT), University of Utah Health, and MountainStar. 180,000+ healthcare workers. Intermountain is recognized as one of the most innovative health systems globally.
- Outdoor Recreation: $12B industry. Skiing (Park City, Alta, Snowbird), national parks (5 "Mighty Five" parks), and outdoor brands. REI, Black Diamond, Backcountry.com based in UT.
- Aerospace & Defense: Hill AFB (largest employer in UT), Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, and Boeing. 80,000+ defense jobs. Average defense salary: $78,000.
- Finance: Goldman Sachs (Salt Lake City — largest office outside NYC), Zions Bancorporation, and numerous fintech startups. Average finance salary: $75,000.
Major Employers
| Employer | Industry | Approx. UT Employees |
|---|---|---|
| Intermountain Health | Healthcare | 42,000+ |
| Hill Air Force Base | Defense | 27,000+ |
| State of Utah | Government | 24,000+ |
| University of Utah | Education | 22,000+ |
| Walmart | Retail | 18,000+ |
| Goldman Sachs | Finance | 5,000+ |
| Adobe | Technology | 3,500+ |
Average Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Avg Salary | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | $60,340 | 105 |
| Provo-Orem | $54,870 | 100 |
| Ogden | $52,640 | 93 |
| St. George | $47,830 | 100 |
| Park City | $58,470 | 160 (very high) |
Growing Sectors
- AI & SaaS: Silicon Slopes is a SaaS powerhouse. Qualtrics, Lucid, Podium, and dozens of AI-focused startups drive growth. VC investment exceeded $5B in 2025.
- Life Sciences: University of Utah spinoffs and Intermountain's research create a growing biotech cluster. Recursion Pharmaceuticals is a unicorn.
- Clean Energy: Solar installations growing rapidly across southern Utah. Battery storage and EV charging infrastructure expanding.
Remote Work Availability
Utah's tech companies are generally hybrid-friendly. The outdoor lifestyle (skiing, hiking, national parks) is a major retention tool. Many remote workers choose Utah for its combination of nature access, growing urban amenities, and moderate cost of living.
FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Utah?
$7.25/hour (federal floor). However, the tight labor market means most employers pay $12-16+ entry level. Tech entry-level averages $55,000+ annual.