Utah Salaries 2025
Silicon Slopes tech boom meets world-class skiing
Median Household Income
Utah Salary Overview 2025
Utah has emerged as a legitimate tech hub—"Silicon Slopes"—with exceptional quality of life. The state's median household income of $79,000 is well above the national average, reflecting tech industry strength and educated workforce. Utah's flat 4.65% tax and moderate costs (101 index) create solid value.
The Wasatch Front (Salt Lake City to Provo) concentrates population and employment. Adobe, Qualtrics (SAP), Pluralsight, and numerous tech companies have operations. Healthcare (Intermountain) is substantial. World-class skiing is 30 minutes from downtown Salt Lake.
Utah's combination of tech careers, outdoor lifestyle, and family-friendly culture has driven explosive growth. Housing costs have risen significantly but remain below Bay Area or Seattle. For comprehensive salary data, see salary trends 2025.
Salaries by Utah Region
Salt Lake City Metro
Median Household Income: $80,000
Salt Lake City is Utah's economic center with tech, healthcare, finance, and outdoor industry. Goldman Sachs maintains major operations. Intermountain Healthcare is a regional giant. Software engineers $95,000-$155,000, finance $70,000-$140,000, healthcare competitive. Housing has risen ($550,000 median) but world-class skiing is 30 minutes away.
Utah County (Provo-Orem) – Silicon Slopes Core
Median Household Income: $78,000
The heart of Silicon Slopes with Qualtrics, Vivint, Podium, and BYU talent pipeline. Young, educated workforce. Software engineers $90,000-$150,000, startups create equity opportunities. Housing ($520,000 median) has caught up to Salt Lake. Very family-oriented culture.
Park City
Median Household Income: $95,000
Ski resort town with extreme housing costs ($1.5M+ median). Tourism, second homes, and remote workers. Limited year-round employment outside hospitality and real estate.
St. George
Median Household Income: $62,000
Retirement and outdoor recreation destination. Healthcare and tourism. Growing but limited professional opportunities. Warm climate alternative to Wasatch Front.
| Region | Median Income | Median Home | Key Industries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | $80,000 | $550,000 | Tech, Finance, Healthcare |
| Utah County | $78,000 | $520,000 | Tech Startups, BYU |
| Park City | $95,000 | $1,500,000 | Tourism, Recreation |
| St. George | $62,000 | $480,000 | Healthcare, Retirement |
Top Paying Industries in Utah
Technology (Silicon Slopes)
Utah's tech ecosystem has reached critical mass. Qualtrics (SAP acquisition), Pluralsight, Domo, Podium, and hundreds of startups. Adobe, Microsoft, and tech giants maintain significant operations. Software engineers $90,000-$160,000, product managers $100,000-$170,000, data scientists $95,000-$150,000. Equity in startups creates wealth.
Financial Services
Goldman Sachs Salt Lake office employs 3,000+. Fidelity, Discover, and regional players add employment. Analysts $60,000-$110,000, operations $50,000-$80,000, management $90,000-$160,000.
Healthcare
Intermountain Healthcare is a nationally recognized integrated system. University of Utah Health adds research and academics. Physicians $270,000-$450,000+, nurses $60,000-$85,000, healthcare IT $70,000-$130,000.
Outdoor Industry
Black Diamond, Backcountry, and outdoor companies headquartered in Utah. Product roles $60,000-$120,000, marketing $55,000-$100,000. Passion-driven industry with lifestyle benefits.
| Industry | Entry Level | Mid-Career | Senior Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineering | $80,000 | $120,000 | $165,000+ |
| Financial Services | $55,000 | $85,000 | $140,000+ |
| Healthcare (Physicians) | $270,000 | $360,000 | $450,000+ |
| Outdoor Industry | $45,000 | $75,000 | $120,000+ |
Utah Tax Analysis
Flat 4.65% Income Tax – Simple and competitive:
| Salary | UT Tax (4.65%) | CO Tax (4.4%) | CA Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| $80,000 | $3,720 | $3,520 | ~$5,200 |
| $120,000 | $5,580 | $5,280 | ~$9,500 |
| $150,000 | $6,975 | $6,600 | ~$13,000 |
Utah's rate is slightly higher than Colorado but far below California. The simplicity of flat tax is appreciated.
Property Tax: Average 0.55%—among nation's lowest.
Highest Paying Jobs in Utah 2025
| Occupation | Average Salary | Top 10% Earn |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians/Surgeons | $300,000 | $450,000+ |
| IT Directors | $155,000 | $200,000+ |
| Software Architects | $150,000 | $195,000+ |
| Product Directors | $160,000 | $210,000+ |
| Data Scientists | $125,000 | $165,000+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Silicon Slopes legitimate?
Yes. Multiple unicorn exits (Qualtrics, Pluralsight), robust startup ecosystem, and major tech company presence. Not Bay Area scale, but genuine tech hub with lower costs and better lifestyle. BYU and U of U provide talent pipeline.
How's the skiing?
World-class. Park City, Snowbird, Alta, Brighton—30-45 minutes from Salt Lake. "Greatest Snow on Earth" is marketing but not entirely wrong. Many tech workers ski before or after work during season.
Is Utah only for LDS/Mormons?
No, but LDS culture is significant—particularly in Utah County. Salt Lake City is more diverse. Alcohol laws are relaxed from historical restrictions. Non-LDS residents thrive, particularly in Salt Lake proper.