2021 Utah Minimum Wage
The 2021 Utah Minimum Wage is $7.25.
Effective 2021-01-01Source: Wage Claim (Utah Labor Commission, Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division)Verified 2026-09-01
Compared with 2020
Every figure on this page is unchanged from 2020.
| Item | 2020 | 2021 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $7.25 | $7.25 | +$0 (+0.0%) |
Who it applies to
Employers and employees in Utah subject to the Utah Minimum Wage Act
What changed this year, and why
Utah's minimum wage rate for 2021
Common questions
- What is the minimum wage in Utah for 2021?
- The minimum wage in Utah is $7.25 per hour.
Minors, students and training wages: who may be paid less than the rate on this page
In Utah, the minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. Most workers must receive at least this amount. However, there are special rules for certain categories of workers. Minors under the age of 18 must be paid minimum wage, but an employer may pay a minor $4.25 per hour during the first 90 days of employment. For tipped employees, both adults and minors, the base wage may be $2.13 per hour, but only if the tips they earn, combined with that base wage, equal or exceed the full minimum wage. These are the only subminimum rates mentioned in Utah law. If an employer pays below the required rate, the worker can file a wage claim with the Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division Wage Claim Unit, which processes, investigates, mediates, and adjudicates wage disputes. Workers should keep records of hours worked and wages paid to support any claim.
The minimum wage in Utah is $7.25 per hour. Minors under the age of 18 must be paid minimum wage; however, and employer may pay a minor $4.25 per hour during the first 90 days of their employment. Tipped employees (adults and minors) may be paid $2.13 per hour, but only so long as the tips they earn, in addition to the base wage paid, combined are equal to or exceed the minimum wage.
Wage Claim (Utah Labor Commission, Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division)
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
If you have questions about the minimum wage rate in Utah or need to file a wage complaint, you should contact the Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division (UALD) Wage Claim Unit. This unit is responsible for administering and enforcing Utah's minimum wage laws, including the Utah Minimum Wage Act. The Wage Claim Unit processes, investigates, mediates, and adjudicates wage claims. They also serve as a resource by answering over 40,000 inquiries per year and conducting educational seminars. You can file a wage claim with this unit if you have a dispute with your employer over wages, including issues related to minimum wage violations. The division enforces penalties for violations and protects employees from employer retaliation for filing complaints.
The Wage Claim Unit processes, investigates, mediates, adjudicates and files judgments with respect to claims concerning the laws listed above. It also acts as a resource to employees and employers by answering over 40,000 inquiries per year, conducting educational seminars and distributing written educational materials.
Wage Claim (Utah Labor Commission, Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division)
State minimum wage laws that give more than the federal rate
In Utah, employers must comply with both state and federal wage laws when both apply. When there are different standards between Utah state law and federal law, employers must follow whichever standard is the strictest. Utah's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, which matches the federal rate. If either the state or federal government raises its minimum wage above the other, the higher rate would apply to workers in Utah. Employers in Utah are responsible for examining the guidelines under both state and federal law to ensure they are meeting the stricter requirement. This dual compliance system ensures that workers receive the greatest level of protection available under either jurisdiction.
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
In Utah, employers can count tips toward the minimum wage requirement under specific conditions. Tipped employees, both adults and minors, may be paid a base wage of $2.13 per hour instead of the full $7.25 minimum wage. However, this lower base wage is only permitted if the tips the employee earns, when added to the $2.13 base wage, equal or exceed $7.25 per hour. If an employee's tips plus the $2.13 base wage fall short of the minimum wage, the employer must make up the difference to ensure the employee receives at least $7.25 per hour. This tip credit system allows employers in Utah's service industry to pay a lower direct wage while ensuring tipped workers still earn the minimum wage when tips are included.
Tipped employees (adults and minors) may be paid $2.13 per hour, but only so long as the tips they earn, in addition to the base wage paid, combined are equal to or exceed the minimum wage.
Wage Claim (Utah Labor Commission, Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division)
What an employer may deduct from your pay
Utah law addresses what employers can and cannot deduct from employee paychecks through the Utah Payment of Wages Act. While the minimum wage in Utah is $7.25 per hour, the Payment of Wages Act specifies an employer's responsibilities regarding lawful deductions from wages. Employers must follow specific requirements when making deductions from an employee's pay. These rules ensure that any deductions taken from wages do not result in the employee receiving less than the minimum wage for hours worked, unless specifically permitted by law. The law outlines what constitutes lawful deductions and protects employees from unauthorized or excessive payroll deductions that could reduce their pay below legal minimums. Workers who believe improper deductions have been made from their paychecks can file a wage claim with the Wage Claim Unit.
The Utah Payment of Wages Act also specifies an employer’s responsibilities regarding paydays, final paychecks, electronic payroll deposits, lawful deductions, wage disputes, and payroll records.
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