According to Utah Administrative Code R610-3-4, employers should adhere to any agreements or policies regarding wages, including vacation time. This also applies to other payments such as severance and bonuses.
Utah Labor Laws
Utah Minimum Wage
In Utah, the state minimum wage is aligned with the federal rate, requiring employers to pay employees at least $7.25 per hour.
Utah Labor Law Posters
Simplify labor law compliance and make workplace policies visible with J. J. Keller state and federal labor law posters.
History of Utah Labor Laws
As the federal minimum wage has increased, the state rate has followed suit. Historically, the rate was $7.25 per hour in 2009, $6.55 per hour in 2008, and $5.85 per hour in 2007.
Municipality Minimum Wage Laws
In 2001, Utah enacted a preemption law that prohibits cities, towns, and counties within the state from establishing a minimum wage higher than the federal rate.
Utah Minimum Wage Exemptions
Employers are not required to pay minimum wage to the following individuals who are exempt from the Utah Minimum Wage Act:
- Employees covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act
- Outside salespersons
- Employees who are members of the employer’s immediate family
- Individuals providing companionship services for those who, due to age or infirmity, cannot care for themselves
- Casual and domestic employees
- Seasonal employees of certain nonprofit programs
- Federal employees
- Prisoners employed through the penal system
- Certain agricultural workers
- Registered apprentices or students employed by the educational institution in which they are enrolled
- Certain seasonal hourly employees working for a seasonal amusement establishment
Utah Posting Requirements
Required posters:
- Safety and Health Protection on the Job
- Pregnancy Anti-discrimination
- Unemployment Insurance
- Workers' Compensation
Tipped Wage in Utah
Employers in Utah must pay a minimum cash wage of $2.13 per hour. The combined cash and tip minimum wage rate is $7.25 per hour. For the tip credit to be applicable, gratuities must reach at least $30 per month, and employers must inform employees about the tip credit at the time of hiring.
According to Utah Administrative Code R610-1-4, tip pooling is permitted as long as tips are pooled and distributed among employees who customarily and regularly receive tips. The tip pooling arrangement must be in writing and provided to employees when they are hired.
Overtime Wage in Utah
Employers in Utah must adhere to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requirements for overtime. This means that employees must receive time-and-a-half their regular pay rate for any hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
The following employees are exempt from overtime pay: executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and certain computer employees.
To qualify for these exemptions, executive, administrative, and professional employees must earn at least $684 per week on a salary basis. Similarly, computer employees must be paid either $684 per week on a salary basis or $27.63 per hour.
Child Labor Laws in Utah
Minors under the age of 16 in Utah are subject to the following work restrictions:
- They may not work more than four hours before or after school.
- They cannot work before 5 a.m. or after 9:30 p.m. on a school night.
- They are not allowed to work more than eight hours in any 24-hour period.
- They cannot work more than 40 hours per week.
Employer Recordkeeping Requirements in Utah
Employers must keep payroll records that include:
- employees’ names
- employees’ addresses
- employees’ dates of birth
- hours worked
- wages paid
The records must be kept for three years.
Utah Labor Law Questions & Answers
Yes, small businesses are required to pay minimum wage.
Minors are limited to working no more than eight hours per day or 40 hours per week.
Yes, employees in Utah must be paid one-and-a-half times their regular rate for any hours worked over 40 in a workweek, in accordance with federal law.
Yes, for minors. Employers must provide a 30-minute meal break no later than five hours into a minor’s shift.
Utah Labor Law Posters
Simplify labor law compliance and make workplace policies visible with J. J. Keller state and federal labor law posters.