As it stands, 2023 has seen no immediate change to the minimum wage in Utah. Much like in previous years, Utah’s min wage has remained the same as the federal minimum wage – $7.25 per hour. The U.S. minimum wage is the lowest hourly, daily, or monthly wage that businesses may legally pay to employees or workers.
Will the Minimum Wage in Utah Increase in the future?
Like many other states, there have been multiple talks over the minimum wage in Utah increasing incrementally over the next seven years or so. There are a couple of bills that have been pre-filled, but unfortunately, there has been nothing officially confirmed yet and no new legislation is due to be enacted.
The overall plan is to try and raise the minimum wage in Utah over the next seven years to $15 per hour. Many people feel it is unrealistic to more than double the Utah state minimum wage within 7 years, so it may be some time before workers in Utah see an increase in their pay.
Did the Utah Minimum Wage Go Up?
The graphic below highlights the Utah state minimum wage over the past several years. The minimum wage did not go up and remains at $7.25 per hour in 2023.
Utah Minimum Wage Employee & Employer Information
The Utah state minimum wage has not increased since 2009, the minimum wage is the same as 21 other states that all follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. The federal min wage has not changed since 2009 either.
The Utah Labor Commission enforces the minimum wage in Utah – $7.25 per hour. Should you have any concerns, or questions, or need clarity on the Utah minimum wage in 2023 as an employer or employee, feel free to visit their website and make an inquiry.
The focus of the Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division (UALD) Wage Claim Unit is to administer and enforce certain State labor laws. Also, you can view and download the Utah minimum wage labor law poster for 2022-2023 here at no charge. Employers must display an official poster outlining the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), ensuring that accurate employee time and pay records are kept.
Utah Minimum Wage History
The table below provides the current rate and history of Utah’s minimum wage over the past 40+ years since 1983. You can see when there were increases in the minimum wage, how much they were, and what percentage increase it represents each year.
| State | Wage | $ Wage Increase | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Minimum Wage 2023 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2022 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2021 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2020 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2019 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2018 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2017 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2016 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2015 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2014 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2013 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2012 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2011 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2010 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2009 | $7.25 | $0.70 | 11% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2008 | $6.55 | $0.70 | 11.96% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2007 | $5.85 | $0.70 | 13.59% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2006 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2005 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2004 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2003 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2002 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2001 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 2000 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 1999 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 1998 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 1997 | $5.15 | $0.40 | 8.42% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 1996 | $4.75 | $0.50 | 11.76% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 1995 | $4.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 1994 | $4.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 1993 | $4.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 1992 | $4.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 1991 | $4.25 | $0.45 | 11.84% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 1990 | $3.80 | $0.45 | 13.43% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 1989 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 1988 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 1987 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 1986 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 1985 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 1984 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
| Utah Minimum Wage 1983 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
Utah minimum wage history for 10+ years – downloadable PDF below
Utah Minimum Wage History – Downloadable PDF
Utah Minimum Wage Exemptions
In addition to the regular minimum wage rate, there are a few Utah state minimum wage exemptions that typically depend on your age or employment situation. Below are the various minimum wage exemptions with some situational examples.
Utah Student Minimum Wage
The minimum wage for student employees in Utah is 85% of the Utah minimum wage, making their hourly pay $6.16 per hour in 2023.
This hourly rate is for any hours worked up to 20 hours per week. As a student employee, once you surpass 20 hours per week, you will be eligible to be paid the Utah minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour.
Being a student can be financially challenging, leading many students to pick up part-time jobs to make extra money while studying. Despite a student minimum wage rate, many Utah employers will not necessarily follow it and pay you equal to or more than the statewide minimum wage.
Many work-study programs are available at universities, which is a route many students go down. Still, coffee shop, cafe, bar, and restaurant jobs are commonly taken by students as they can work them into their class schedule.
Utah Under 20 Minimum Wage
If you are under 20 years old in Utah, federal law allows your employer to pay you as little as $4.25 per hour for your first 90 days of employment.
Once the 90-day period is over, you will be eligible to be paid the 2023 Utah minimum wage of $7.25 per hour or potentially even more.
Fortunately for young workers, this is 90 calendar days and not 90 working days; therefore, it can be completed relatively quickly and within about three months.
Utah Tipped Minimum Wage
If you are a tipped employee in Utah (someone who receives regular tips as a part of their job) then you are eligible to be paid a minimum wage of $2.13 per hour, with a tip credit of $5.12 per hour, ensuring that you reach the statewide minimum wage regardless if you make enough hourly tips.
Utah Overtime Minimum Wage
Once you work over 40 hours a week, you are eligible to be paid an overtime rate of 1.5 times your hourly wage for every hour you work past 40. So, the overtime minimum wage in Utah is $10.88 per hour, 1.5 times the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
