Utah Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Trade Industry Insights / Utah Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Quick Takeaways on Trade Pay in Utah
Utah’s trade demand moves fast, sometimes faster than infrastructure can keep up. Rapid housing development and expanding metros create continuous work for service and install trades, especially where crews can adapt quickly to new builds turning into long-term maintenance.
- Higher-paying paths on this page: Lineworker, CDL Truck Driver, AV Technician.
- Highest-paying trade in Utah (from this table): Lineworker ($81,138)
- Typical mid-range trade pay: Median across listed trades is about $53,683 per year.
- Pay range across these trades: About $34,276 separates the highest vs lowest listed trades in Utah.
- Most stable demand in Utah: commercial maintenance and follow-on service as fast-built properties age into repair cycles.
- Best way to increase earnings: shift from installs into diagnostics, commissioning, or systems testing roles.
- Top paying trades on this page: Lineworker ($81,138) · CDL Truck Driver ($68,141) · AV Technician ($63,230)
Job Outlook for Skilled Trades in Utah
Demand is shaped most by front-range metro growth from Salt Lake City to Provo that quickly converts new builds into service territory, plus licensing rules, employer mix, and metro growth.
Utah trade pay often reflects pace over peak—consistent work across expanding metros frequently matters more than top-end rates.
- Outlook: Growing (fast-build metros)
- What drives demand: front-range metro growth from Salt Lake City to Provo that quickly converts new builds into service territory.
- Where it’s hottest: major metros + fast-growing corridors (varies by trade).
- Biggest pay factors: experience, union coverage, licensing, overtime, and employer type.
Average Skilled Trade Pay in Utah
Below is a snapshot of typical pay for popular trades in Utah. Click a trade name to explore training paths, licensing steps, and career details.
Note: Some trades can rank high across many states due to national labor demand and standardized pay structures, but the exact pay levels still vary by state and metro area.
| Trade | Avg Hourly | Avg Weekly | Avg Monthly | Avg Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Technician | $24.42 | $977 | $4,234 | $50,752 |
| AV Technician | $30.38 | $1,216 | $5,269 | $63,230 |
| Carpenter | $23.81 | $952 | $4,125 | $49,505 |
| CDL Truck Driver | $32.76 | $1,310 | $5,678 | $68,141 |
| CNC Machinist | $22.53 | $901 | $3,905 | $46,862 |
| Construction | $23.90 | $956 | $4,143 | $49,712 |
| Concrete Finisher | $26.20 | $1,048 | $4,541 | $54,496 |
| Diesel Technician | $27.23 | $1,089 | $4,720 | $56,640 |
| Electrician | $28.87 | $1,155 | $5,004 | $60,050 |
| Heavy Equipment | $23.59 | $912 | $3,949 | $47,393 |
| HVAC Technician | $26.48 | $1,061 | $4,598 | $55,182 |
| Industrial Mechanic | $26.16 | $1,047 | $4,536 | $54,429 |
| Ironworker | $24.92 | $995 | $4,311 | $51,733 |
| Lineworker | $39.01 | $1,560 | $6,762 | $81,138 |
| Marine Mechanic | $27.09 | $1,084 | $4,694 | $56,277 |
| Mason | $25.45 | $1,018 | $4,411 | $52,936 |
| Plumber | $30.67 | $1,181 | $5,118 | $61,414 |
| Roofer | $23.07 | $923 | $3,999 | $47,986 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $24.41 | $932 | $4,033 | $48,395 |
| Welder | $23.27 | $929 | $4,023 | $48,273 |
Wage figures are estimates and can vary by experience level, metro area, union status, and employer.
About this table: wage data sources and methodology.
Why Utah Is a Strong State for Trade Careers
Utah’s trade market is driven by rapid population growth, large-scale residential development, and expanding commercial and infrastructure projects. The state consistently ranks among the fastest-growing in the country, which creates steady demand for electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers, framers, concrete workers, and mechanical trades—especially along the Wasatch Front.
Where Trade Demand Is Concentrated
- Salt Lake City metro: High-density housing, commercial construction, transit projects, and utility upgrades drive electrical, HVAC, and plumbing demand.
- Utah County (Provo–Orem–Lehi): Tech-driven growth fuels office construction, data centers, and large residential developments.
- Ogden & Davis County: Manufacturing, logistics, and defense-related facilities support mechanical and industrial trades.
- Statewide residential expansion: New subdivisions and mixed-use developments keep framing, concrete, roofing, and service trades active.
Major Employers and Contractors in Utah
Utah tradespeople often work with large regional contractors and developers tied to infrastructure, technology, and commercial growth, including:
- Jacobsen Construction — Major commercial, healthcare, and infrastructure projects across Utah.
- Layton Construction — National contractor headquartered in Utah with strong local presence.
- Okland Construction — Commercial and institutional construction throughout the state.
Union vs Non-Union Trade Paths in Utah
Utah is a right-to-work state with a predominantly non-union construction workforce. Most tradespeople enter through trade schools, employer-sponsored training, or direct hiring. Union opportunities exist but are concentrated in specific trades, public-sector projects, and larger commercial or industrial jobs.
Union Apprenticeships in Utah
Union work in Utah is most visible in electrical, plumbing, pipefitting, and select specialty trades:
- IBEW Local 354 — Electrical apprenticeships serving Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front.
- UA Local 140 — Plumbing, pipefitting, and HVAC apprenticeships based in Salt Lake City.
- SMART Local 312 — Sheet metal and HVAC-related training programs in Northern Utah.
- Utah Carpenters Union — Select commercial and infrastructure-focused apprenticeship opportunities.
Ready to start a trade career in Utah?
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Utah Trade Schools & Apprenticeships