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Utah Employment Law: Wages, Final Pay, Breaks and Your Rights at Work

Utah employment law: minimum wage, overtime, breaks, final paycheck deadlines, PTO payout, sick leave, at-will exceptions and where to file a wage claim.

Quick answers for Utah

Minimum wage
$7.25 per hour, the same as the federal minimum wage. Utah Minimum Wage Act
Final paycheck if fired or laid off
Wages are due immediately and must be paid within 24 hours of separation (mailing postmarked within one day, starting a direct deposit, or hand delivery counts). Utah Code § 34-28-5(1)
Meal and rest breaks
No state requirement for adults. Minors must get at least a 30-minute lunch within the first five hours of their workday. UALD wage claim guidance
Unused vacation / PTO payout
Not required by state law. Utah labor law generally does not require employers to provide benefits such as paid vacation; payout depends on the employer's policy or agreement. UALD wage claim guidance

Last verified: 2026-10-26

Pay

Minimum wage$7.25 per hour, the same as the federal minimum wage.
No change scheduled.
Source: Utah Minimum Wage Act
Tipped minimum wageTipped employees may be paid a cash wage of $2.13 per hour, but only if tips plus the cash wage reach at least $7.25 per hour.
Source: Utah Minimum Wage Act
OvertimeNo separate state overtime rule; follows the federal FLSA (time and one-half after 40 hours in a workweek for covered, non-exempt employees).
Source: Fair Labor Standards Act
How often you must be paidAt least semimonthly, on regular paydays set in advance, with payment within 10 days after the pay period closes. If payday falls on a weekend or holiday, pay is due the day before. Employees hired on a yearly salary may be paid monthly, by the 7th of the following month.
Source: Utah Code § 34-28-3(1)
Pay stubsIf any deduction is taken from wages, the employer must give the employee a statement on each regular payday showing the total amount of each deduction. Licensed construction-trade employers have additional wage statement duties.
Source: Utah Code § 34-28-3(4)-(5)

Breaks and leave

Meal and rest breaksNo state requirement for adults. Minors must get at least a 30-minute lunch within the first five hours of their workday.
Source: UALD wage claim guidance
Paid sick leaveNo statewide paid sick leave law. Utah labor law generally does not require employers to provide benefits.
Source: UALD wage claim guidance

Leaving a job

Final paycheck if fired or laid offWages are due immediately and must be paid within 24 hours of separation (mailing postmarked within one day, starting a direct deposit, or hand delivery counts). If wages are not paid within 24 hours of a written demand, a penalty of the employee's daily wage continues for up to 60 days. Does not apply to State of Utah employees.
Source: Utah Code § 34-28-5(1)
Final paycheck if you quitIf there is no written contract for a definite period, final wages are due on the next regular payday.
Source: Utah Code § 34-28-5
Unused vacation / PTO payoutNot required by state law. Utah labor law generally does not require employers to provide benefits such as paid vacation; payout depends on the employer's policy or agreement.
Source: UALD wage claim guidance
Unemployment benefitsUtah Department of Workforce Services (DWS). Apply only through the official DWS unemployment website or by calling the Claims Assistance and Re-Employment Team at 801-526-4400.
Source: Utah Department of Workforce Services

Firing, retaliation and discrimination

Job discrimination complaintsUtah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division (UALD) of the Utah Labor Commission. The Utah Antidiscrimination Act covers private employers with 15 or more employees in Utah (and state and local government). A request for agency action must be filed, under oath, within 180 days of the discriminatory act; filing is through the My LC portal.
Source: Utah Code §§ 34A-5-102, 34A-5-107(1)(c)
Non-compete agreementsNon-compete agreements signed on or after May 10, 2016 may last no more than one year after the job ends; longer agreements are void. Starting May 6, 2026, non-competes with healthcare workers are not allowed. Special limits apply to broadcasting employees. Courts also apply general common-law reasonableness rules.
Source: Utah Code § 34-51-201

Where to get help in Utah

Employment Law FAQ

What is the minimum wage in Utah?
$7.25 per hour, the same as the federal minimum wage.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Utah?
Tipped employees may be paid a cash wage of $2.13 per hour, but only if tips plus the cash wage reach at least $7.25 per hour.
What are the overtime rules in Utah?
No separate state overtime rule; follows the federal FLSA (time and one-half after 40 hours in a workweek for covered, non-exempt employees).
Are breaks required by law in Utah?
No state requirement for adults. Minors must get at least a 30-minute lunch within the first five hours of their workday.
When do I get my final paycheck if I'm fired in Utah?
Wages are due immediately and must be paid within 24 hours of separation (mailing postmarked within one day, starting a direct deposit, or hand delivery counts). If wages are not paid within 24 hours of a written demand, a penalty of the employee's daily wage continues for up to 60 days. Does not apply to State of Utah employees.
When do I get my final paycheck if I quit in Utah?
If there is no written contract for a definite period, final wages are due on the next regular payday.
Does an employer have to pay out unused PTO in Utah?
Not required by state law. Utah labor law generally does not require employers to provide benefits such as paid vacation; payout depends on the employer's policy or agreement.
How often must employees be paid in Utah?
At least semimonthly, on regular paydays set in advance, with payment within 10 days after the pay period closes. If payday falls on a weekend or holiday, pay is due the day before. Employees hired on a yearly salary may be paid monthly, by the 7th of the following month.
Do employers have to give pay stubs in Utah?
If any deduction is taken from wages, the employer must give the employee a statement on each regular payday showing the total amount of each deduction. Licensed construction-trade employers have additional wage statement duties.
Is paid sick leave required in Utah?
No statewide paid sick leave law. Utah labor law generally does not require employers to provide benefits.
Where do I file a job discrimination complaint in Utah?
Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division (UALD) of the Utah Labor Commission. The Utah Antidiscrimination Act covers private employers with 15 or more employees in Utah (and state and local government). A request for agency action must be filed, under oath, within 180 days of the discriminatory act; filing is through the My LC portal.
Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Utah?
Non-compete agreements signed on or after May 10, 2016 may last no more than one year after the job ends; longer agreements are void. Starting May 6, 2026, non-competes with healthcare workers are not allowed. Special limits apply to broadcasting employees. Courts also apply general common-law reasonableness rules.
How do I apply for unemployment in Utah?
Utah Department of Workforce Services (DWS). Apply only through the official DWS unemployment website or by calling the Claims Assistance and Re-Employment Team at 801-526-4400.

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More Utah law

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.