Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2024 reference period
51 Highest Paying Jobs in Utah (2026)
The highest-paying job in Utah is Software Quality Assurance Analyst with a state-aggregated median salary of $160,550 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data weighted across the state's 1 BLS-tracked metro. Across all 51 occupations the average median is $97,336, with 22 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Utah's average cost-of-living index is 101, so the average median equates to $96,372 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Utah
Ranked by state-aggregated median (50th percentile) salary, employment-weighted across Utah's single tracked metro.
State median $160,550 · 80 jobs · top metro: Salt Lake City ($160,550)
Software Quality Assurance Analysts in Utah earn $160,550 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Salt Lake City) pays $160,550 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $160,300 · 4,920 jobs · top metro: Salt Lake City ($160,300)
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Utah earn $160,300 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Salt Lake City) pays $160,300 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $140,270 · 5,430 jobs · top metro: Salt Lake City ($140,270)
Financial Managers in Utah earn $140,270 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Salt Lake City) pays $140,270 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $140,010 · 200 jobs · top metro: Salt Lake City ($140,010)
Business Professor (Postsecondary)s in Utah earn $140,010 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Salt Lake City) pays $140,010 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $138,800 · 3,660 jobs · top metro: Salt Lake City ($138,800)
Marketing Managers in Utah earn $138,800 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Salt Lake City) pays $138,800 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $137,210 · 1,790 jobs · top metro: Salt Lake City ($137,210)
Pharmacists in Utah earn $137,210 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Salt Lake City) pays $137,210 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $134,910 · 5,160 jobs · top metro: Salt Lake City ($134,910)
Sales Managers in Utah earn $134,910 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Salt Lake City) pays $134,910 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $134,390 · 930 jobs · top metro: Salt Lake City ($134,390)
Physician Assistants in Utah earn $134,390 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Salt Lake City) pays $134,390 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $134,040 · 1,170 jobs · top metro: Salt Lake City ($134,040)
Computer Network Architects in Utah earn $134,040 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Salt Lake City) pays $134,040 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $133,810 · 1,210 jobs · top metro: Salt Lake City ($133,810)
Human Resources Managers in Utah earn $133,810 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Salt Lake City) pays $133,810 median, materially above the state aggregate.
Full Ranking: All 51 Tracked Occupations
| Rank | Role | Category | State Median | Top Metro | Top Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $160,550 | Salt Lake City | $160,550 | 80 |
| 2 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $160,300 | Salt Lake City | $160,300 | 4,920 |
| 3 | Financial Manager | Finance | $140,270 | Salt Lake City | $140,270 | 5,430 |
| 4 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $140,010 | Salt Lake City | $140,010 | 200 |
| 5 | Marketing Manager | Management | $138,800 | Salt Lake City | $138,800 | 3,660 |
| 6 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $137,210 | Salt Lake City | $137,210 | 1,790 |
| 7 | Sales Manager | Management | $134,910 | Salt Lake City | $134,910 | 5,160 |
| 8 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $134,390 | Salt Lake City | $134,390 | 930 |
| 9 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $134,040 | Salt Lake City | $134,040 | 1,170 |
| 10 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $133,810 | Salt Lake City | $133,810 | 1,210 |
| 11 | Lawyer | Legal | $129,550 | Salt Lake City | $129,550 | 3,890 |
| 12 | Software Developer | Technology | $128,350 | Salt Lake City | $128,350 | 16,740 |
| 13 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $127,030 | Salt Lake City | $127,030 | 1,560 |
| 14 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $126,610 | Salt Lake City | $126,610 | 2,730 |
| 15 | Data Scientist | Technology | $122,370 | Salt Lake City | $122,370 | 0 |
| 16 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $103,380 | Salt Lake City | $103,380 | 920 |
| 17 | Web Developer | Technology | $102,630 | Salt Lake City | $102,630 | 580 |
| 18 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $101,340 | Salt Lake City | $101,340 | 2,250 |
| 19 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $101,140 | Salt Lake City | $101,140 | 450 |
| 20 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $100,580 | Salt Lake City | $100,580 | 1,670 |
| 21 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $100,260 | Salt Lake City | $100,260 | 1,070 |
| 22 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $100,090 | Salt Lake City | $100,090 | 450 |
| 23 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $99,560 | Salt Lake City | $99,560 | 1,050 |
| 24 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $99,310 | Salt Lake City | $99,310 | 22,270 |
| 25 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $98,550 | Salt Lake City | $98,550 | 1,930 |
| 26 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $93,220 | Salt Lake City | $93,220 | 1,680 |
| 27 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $92,210 | Salt Lake City | $92,210 | 2,470 |
| 28 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $91,280 | Salt Lake City | $91,280 | 2,930 |
| 29 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $91,160 | Salt Lake City | $91,160 | 1,940 |
| 30 | Network Architect | Technology | $88,330 | Salt Lake City | $88,330 | 1,300 |
| 31 | Architect | Engineering | $84,810 | Salt Lake City | $84,810 | 900 |
| 32 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $83,580 | Salt Lake City | $83,580 | 1,540 |
| 33 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $83,140 | Salt Lake City | $83,140 | 13,680 |
| 34 | Management Analyst | Management | $82,970 | Salt Lake City | $82,970 | 4,330 |
| 35 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $82,160 | Salt Lake City | $82,160 | 520 |
| 36 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $78,120 | Salt Lake City | $78,120 | 1,850 |
| 37 | Accountant | Finance | $77,580 | Salt Lake City | $77,580 | 9,160 |
| 38 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $76,580 | Salt Lake City | $76,580 | 4,420 |
| 39 | Writer/Author | Creative | $75,690 | Salt Lake City | $75,690 | 360 |
| 40 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $71,600 | Salt Lake City | $71,600 | 490 |
| 41 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $71,080 | Salt Lake City | $71,080 | 7,480 |
| 42 | Plumber | Trades | $66,090 | Salt Lake City | $66,090 | 3,070 |
| 43 | Electrician | Trades | $63,430 | Salt Lake City | $63,430 | 5,210 |
| 44 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $62,760 | Salt Lake City | $62,760 | 4,800 |
| 45 | Loan Officer | Finance | $61,760 | Salt Lake City | $61,760 | 3,490 |
| 46 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $60,640 | Salt Lake City | $60,640 | 1,660 |
| 47 | Carpenter | Trades | $59,410 | Salt Lake City | $59,410 | 5,690 |
| 48 | Welder | Trades | $58,930 | Salt Lake City | $58,930 | 1,370 |
| 49 | Paralegal | Legal | $57,190 | Salt Lake City | $57,190 | 2,020 |
| 50 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $48,420 | Salt Lake City | $48,420 | 3,610 |
| 51 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $46,960 | Salt Lake City | $46,960 | 4,530 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Utah
Utah's pay reflects Salt Lake City's tech (Silicon Slopes), finance, and outdoor industry. Below-average COL means strong COL-adjusted pay for technology roles.
$Utah tracks $1 BLS-published metros covering approximately $172,610 workers across the $51 occupations on this page. State-aggregated medians are employment-weighted across metros, which is the right way to read "state pay" when BLS publishes by metro. The Software Quality Assurance Analyst top spot reflects Salt Lake City pulling the upper end of the distribution; smaller metros in Utah typically pay 10–25% less for the same role.
Metro-by-Metro Detail
For salary data specific to one metro within Utah, see:
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Utah is Software Quality Assurance Analyst with a state median salary of $160,550. The top-paying metro for this role is Salt Lake City at $160,550 median. The role employs roughly 80 workers across Utah.
22 of the 51 BLS-tracked occupations in Utah have a state-aggregated median salary of $100,000 or higher. That places this state in the upper tier nationally for high-paying occupations.
Across 51 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Utah is $97,336. The figure is employment-weighted across 1 metros, so larger occupations and larger metros contribute proportionally more. Cost-of-living-adjusted to a national-average baseline, it equates to $96,372.
BLS OEWS publishes wage data by Metropolitan Statistical Area. For Utah, this page aggregates Salt Lake City. Some non-MSA areas (small towns, rural counties) are excluded from OEWS metro tables but covered in BLS state-level summaries; we use metro-level data to preserve the percentile granularity.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers. State aggregates are computed by employment-weighting metro-level percentile wages across the BLS-tracked metros in Utah.
State aggregates are employment-weighted across the BLS-tracked metros in Utah, using OEWS 2024 data.