2017 Utah Minimum Wage
The 2017 Utah Minimum Wage is $7.25.
Effective 2017-01-01Source: Wage Claim (Utah Labor Commission, Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division)Verified 2026-09-01
Compared with 2016
Every figure on this page is unchanged from 2016.
| Item | 2016 | 2017 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $7.25 | $7.25 | +$0 (+0.0%) |
Who it applies to
Employers and employees in the state of Utah subject to the Utah Minimum Wage Act.
What changed this year, and why
Utah's minimum wage for 2017, as published by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Common questions
- What is the minimum wage in Utah?
- The minimum wage in Utah is $7.25 per hour.
- Does the minimum wage apply to tipped employees?
- Yes. Employers may pay a lower base wage to tipped employees as long as the base wage plus tips together equal at least the minimum wage.
- Does the minimum wage apply to minors?
- Yes. Minors must also be paid at least the minimum wage.
Minors, students and training wages: who may be paid less than the rate on this page
Utah allows employers to pay certain workers less than the standard $7.25 minimum wage under specific conditions. Minor employees under the age of 18 may be paid $4.25 per hour as a training wage during the first 90 days of employment. After that 90-day period, employers must pay at least $7.25 per hour. Employees who receive tips of at least $30.00 per month may be paid a cash wage of $2.13 per hour, but only if the combination of that base wage plus the tips earned equals or exceeds $7.25 per hour for every hour worked. Questions about these exceptions to minimum wage laws may be directed to the Utah Labor Commission. These rules are found in the Utah Minimum Wage Act, which outlines both the minimum wage requirements and the exemptions that apply.
Minor employees (under 18 years of age) may be paid $4.25 per hour, as a training wage, for the first 90 days of employment. Employees receiving tips of at least $30.00 per month may be paid a cash wage of $2.13 per hour, if the total of the cash wage and the tips total at least $7.25 per hour.
Wage Claim (Utah Labor Commission, Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division)
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
When questions arise about exceptions to Utah's minimum wage laws, workers and employers should direct their inquiries to the Utah Labor Commission. The Commission administers the Utah Minimum Wage Act and can provide guidance on whether a particular worker qualifies for a subminimum wage rate, such as the training wage for minors or the reduced cash wage for tipped employees. The Commission also handles wage complaints and disputes. If you believe you have not been paid the minimum wage, have not been paid your wages in full, or were paid late, you can file a claim with the Labor Commission under the Utah Payment of Wages Act. The Commission's Wage Claim Unit processes these complaints and assigns investigators to review the parties' written submissions and determine next steps, which may include requesting documentation, interviewing witnesses, or scheduling a hearing.
Questions about exceptions to minimum wage laws may be directed to the Labor Commission.
Wage Claim (Utah Labor Commission, Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division)
State minimum wage laws that give more than the federal rate
Utah employers must follow both state and federal wage laws when both apply. When the two laws set different standards, employers must comply with whichever standard is more protective of employees. For example, if federal law requires a higher minimum wage than Utah law, the employer must pay the federal rate. If Utah law provides a benefit that federal law does not, the employer must provide that benefit. In 2017, Utah's minimum wage of $7.25 per hour matches the federal minimum wage, so employers must pay at least that amount. The principle is straightforward: examine the requirements under both state and federal law and follow the one that gives workers the greater protection. This rule ensures that workers receive the most favorable terms available under either legal system.
Employers must comply with both laws if both laws apply. An employer should examine the guidelines under both State and Federal law and comply with the standard which is the strictest.
Wage Claim (Utah Labor Commission, Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division)
When tips, meals or lodging count toward the minimum wage
Under Utah law, employees who receive tips of at least $30.00 per month may be paid a cash wage of $2.13 per hour by their employer, but only if the combination of that base wage plus the tips earned equals at least $7.25 per hour for every hour worked. If an employee's tips plus the $2.13 cash wage fall short of $7.25 in any workweek, the employer must make up the difference. This tip credit allows employers in industries like restaurants and hospitality to pay a lower direct wage, but it does not reduce the employee's total earnings below the minimum wage floor. The Utah Minimum Wage Act outlines these requirements, and the administrative rules for enforcing the Act specify additional recordkeeping obligations for employers who take a tip credit. Utah law does not address whether meals or lodging furnished to employees may be credited toward the minimum wage.
Employees receiving tips of at least $30.00 per month may be paid a cash wage of $2.13 per hour, if the total of the cash wage and the tips total at least $7.25 per hour.
Wage Claim (Utah Labor Commission, Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division)
How each figure was verified
Each number below was read from a stored copy of the document named beside it, and checked to occur word for word in the quoted sentence. The digest is of that stored text.
Wage Claim (Utah Labor Commission, Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division)
- Hourly
The minimum wage in Utah is $7.25 per hour.
Other years
Every Utah Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state