Utah’s minimum wage is $7.25 an hour in 2026, the same as the federal minimum. It has been $7.25 since July 24, 2009 [1]. State law also keeps cities, towns and counties from setting a minimum wage above the federal rate [3].
At a glance
| Worker | Hourly minimum |
|---|---|
| Adults and minors | $7.25 |
| Tipped employee (cash wage), with at least $30 a month in tips | $2.13 |
| Minor employee, first 90 days with an employer | $4.25 |
Tipped workers
Utah lets employers pay tipped employees, such as servers, a cash wage of $2.13 an hour, as long as tips plus that wage equal or exceed the minimum wage [1]. That means up to $5.12 an hour of the $7.25 can come from tips [1]. Two conditions apply [1]:
- The employee has to receive at least $30 a month in tips before the employer can take a tip credit.
- The employer has to tell the employee it’s using the tip credit at the time of hire.
Tip pooling
Under Utah’s rule, tips belong to the employee who receives them, except under an employer-required tip pool or tip-sharing arrangement [1]. A pool can include only employees who customarily and regularly receive tips. Dishwashers, chefs, cooks and janitors aren’t tipped employees, can’t be paid the tipped wage, and can’t be part of an employer-required pool [1]. Any pooling arrangement has to be in writing and given to each employee it covers [1].
Minors: the $4.25 training wage
Utah’s rule lets an employer pay a minor employee at least $4.25 an hour for the first 90 days of employment with that employer. After that, the full minimum wage applies [1].
No local minimum wages
Salt Lake City, Park City and every other Utah city, town and county are barred from requiring a minimum wage higher than the federal rate, including on their own contracts [3]. So the $7.25 state minimum applies everywhere in Utah [1][3].
If you’re paid less than you’re owed
The Utah Labor Commission’s Wage Claim Unit takes claims for unpaid wages [2]:
- Amount: at least $50 and no more than $10,000. The Commission can’t order payment of more than $10,000; bigger claims go to state court.
- Deadline: the unit accepts claims for Utah wages earned within the last year. Count from when each paycheck was earned and file well before a year passes.
- Proof: a pay stub, W-2, or copy of a paycheck, or an explanation of why you don’t have one.
- How: online through the Commission’s wage claim portal, or by email to wcu@utah.gov, in person, by fax or by mail.
If something is missing, the Commission tells you why the claim was rejected and gives you 14 days to send it in. Miss that window and you have to file a new claim, still within the one-year limit [2]. You generally can’t use the Commission’s process for wages you’ve already pursued in court or with the U.S. Department of Labor [2].
Other states
Comparing Utah with its neighbors? BestAmerica keeps a list of the minimum wage in every state.
Sources
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What is the minimum wage in Utah in 2026?
$7.25 an hour. Utah's rate has been $7.25 since July 24, 2009, the same as the federal minimum. Cities, towns and counties can't set a minimum wage above the federal rate.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Utah?
$2.13 an hour in cash, for employees who get at least $30 a month in tips. Tips plus the cash wage must add up to at least the $7.25 minimum, and the employer has to tell the employee about the tip credit when they're hired.
Can minors be paid less than minimum wage in Utah?
Yes, for a short time. Utah's rule lets employers pay a minor employee at least $4.25 an hour for the first 90 days with that employer. After 90 days, the full minimum wage applies.
How long do I have to file a wage claim in Utah?
The Utah Labor Commission's Wage Claim Unit accepts claims for Utah wages earned within the last year, for amounts from $50 to $10,000.