Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Utah

Every occupation here is paid more in dollars than it was in 2019 and less in what those dollars buy. Prices rose about 26% over the period; these wages did not keep up. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people.

Cost of living: prices in Utah run 1.1% below the national average (2024), so a Utah salary is worth about 1.01× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in Utah.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in Utah

OccupationMedian, Utah · Real change since 2019

1Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$66,220
Master's degree
$47,210 – $107,130-28.2%-9.6% nominal
2Manicurists and Pedicurists$28,820
Postsecondary nondegree award
$20,410 – $42,540-27.8%-9.1% nominal
3Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$41,810
Some college, no degree
$32,840 – $71,510-24.9%-5.4% nominal
4Real Estate Sales Agents$50,720
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,290 – $82,790-24.9%-5.4% nominal
5Driver/Sales Workers$26,590
High school diploma or equivalent
$20,390 – $57,150-23.7%-4.0% nominal
6Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas$56,290
No formal educational credential
$39,070 – $80,550-23.4%-3.5% nominal
7Continuous Mining Machine Operators$59,420
No formal educational credential
$49,280 – $77,580-22.1%-1.9% nominal
8Computer and Information Research Scientists$94,700
Master's degree
$72,990 – $169,890-21.5%-1.2% nominal
9Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$44,800
High school diploma or equivalent
$25,850 – $83,510-19.5%+1.3% nominal
10Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$50,770
Master's degree
$37,980 – $101,350-18.7%+2.4% nominal
11Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$49,090
Bachelor's degree
$38,220 – $86,080-18.3%+2.9% nominal
12Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents$49,940
Bachelor's degree
$40,330 – $70,800-17.8%+3.5% nominal
13Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$35,950
Postsecondary nondegree award
$30,440 – $49,460-17.1%+4.4% nominal
14Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$39,020
High school diploma or equivalent
$34,770 – $62,300-16.0%+5.8% nominal
15Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$82,320
Doctoral or professional degree
$50,190 – $106,850-15.5%+6.4% nominal
16Detectives and Criminal Investigators$78,920
High school diploma or equivalent
$48,040 – $149,280-15.4%+6.5% nominal
17Tile and Stone Setters$49,340
No formal educational credential
$35,830 – $69,640-15.1%+7.0% nominal
18Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$50,740
Bachelor's degree
$22,520 – $76,670-15.0%+7.1% nominal
19First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$57,200
High school diploma or equivalent
$46,150 – $85,790-14.2%+8.1% nominal
20Chemical Technicians$49,030
Associate's degree
$38,550 – $86,590-13.8%+8.6% nominal
21Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$63,890
Master's degree
$35,410 – $106,080-13.8%+8.6% nominal
22Physical Therapist Assistants$61,980
Associate's degree
$34,190 – $84,000-13.1%+9.5% nominal
23Personal Financial Advisors$77,390
Bachelor's degree
$47,840 – $208,970-12.8%+9.8% nominal
24Dental Laboratory Technicians$47,110
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,210 – $79,170-12.2%+10.5% nominal
25Surveyors$73,230
Bachelor's degree
$45,180 – $106,230-11.6%+11.4% nominal
26Medical Equipment Repairers$58,910
Associate's degree
$38,400 – $93,490-11.3%+11.7% nominal
27Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$46,570
Postsecondary nondegree award
$30,460 – $77,320-11.1%+12.0% nominal
28Chief Executives$171,880
Bachelor's degree
$72,480 – $424,690-10.9%+12.2% nominal
29Property Appraisers and Assessors$56,100
Bachelor's degree
$21,080 – $99,840-10.6%+12.6% nominal
30Maintenance Workers, Machinery$60,850
High school diploma or equivalent
$42,580 – $79,700-10.5%+12.7% nominal
31Glaziers$51,470
High school diploma or equivalent
$45,160 – $66,170-10.4%+12.8% nominal
32Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$61,980
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,770 – $125,390-10.2%+13.1% nominal
33Sheet Metal Workers$63,140
High school diploma or equivalent
$44,360 – $85,770-10.2%+13.1% nominal
34Logisticians$83,300
Bachelor's degree
$51,540 – $125,440-9.9%+13.5% nominal
35Computer Network Architects$121,000
Bachelor's degree
$75,640 – $182,790-9.9%+13.5% nominal
36Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles$47,900
No formal educational credential
$38,130 – $90,180-9.7%+13.7% nominal
37Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$61,130
High school diploma or equivalent
$40,410 – $91,580-9.7%+13.7% nominal
38Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks$38,660
High school diploma or equivalent
$36,330 – $77,530-9.2%+14.3% nominal
39Dietitians and Nutritionists$65,310
Bachelor's degree
$35,860 – $99,770-9.2%+14.4% nominal
40Community Health Workers$55,700
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,480 – $74,880-9.2%+14.3% nominal
41Mechanical Engineers$102,500
Bachelor's degree
$73,070 – $160,640-9.1%+14.5% nominal
42Occupational Therapists$97,150
Master's degree
$75,570 – $126,970-9.0%+14.5% nominal
43Printing Press Operators$41,030
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,200 – $61,200-8.8%+14.9% nominal
44Parts Salespersons$39,190
No formal educational credential
$29,620 – $74,930-8.5%+15.3% nominal
45Pharmacists$144,240
Doctoral or professional degree
$70,260 – $172,440-8.4%+15.3% nominal
46Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$64,660
Bachelor's degree
$48,230 – $127,050-8.3%+15.4% nominal
47Information and Record Clerks, All Other$43,010
High school diploma or equivalent
$36,820 – $56,620-8.3%+15.5% nominal
48Speech-Language Pathologists$91,560
Master's degree
$56,070 – $128,490-8.1%+15.8% nominal
49Dental Assistants$37,760
Postsecondary nondegree award
$35,380 – $47,680-7.4%+16.6% nominal
50Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$63,580
High school diploma or equivalent
$47,030 – $95,010-7.2%+16.8% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianUtah	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, PostsecondaryMaster's degree	$66,220	$47,210 – $107,130	-28.2%-9.6% nominal
2	Manicurists and PedicuristsPostsecondary nondegree award	$28,820	$20,410 – $42,540	-27.8%-9.1% nominal
3	Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine RepairersSome college, no degree	$41,810	$32,840 – $71,510	-24.9%-5.4% nominal
4	Real Estate Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$50,720	$30,290 – $82,790	-24.9%-5.4% nominal
5	Driver/Sales WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$26,590	$20,390 – $57,150	-23.7%-4.0% nominal
6	Service Unit Operators, Oil and GasNo formal educational credential	$56,290	$39,070 – $80,550	-23.4%-3.5% nominal
7	Continuous Mining Machine OperatorsNo formal educational credential	$59,420	$49,280 – $77,580	-22.1%-1.9% nominal
8	Computer and Information Research ScientistsMaster's degree	$94,700	$72,990 – $169,890	-21.5%-1.2% nominal
9	Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness InstructorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44,800	$25,850 – $83,510	-19.5%+1.3% nominal
10	Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social WorkersMaster's degree	$50,770	$37,980 – $101,350	-18.7%+2.4% nominal
11	Clinical Laboratory Technologists and TechniciansBachelor's degree	$49,090	$38,220 – $86,080	-18.3%+2.9% nominal
12	Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue AgentsBachelor's degree	$49,940	$40,330 – $70,800	-17.8%+3.5% nominal
13	Ophthalmic Medical TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$35,950	$30,440 – $49,460	-17.1%+4.4% nominal
14	Chemical Equipment Operators and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39,020	$34,770 – $62,300	-16.0%+5.8% nominal
15	Nursing Instructors and Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$82,320	$50,190 – $106,850	-15.5%+6.4% nominal
16	Detectives and Criminal InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$78,920	$48,040 – $149,280	-15.4%+6.5% nominal
17	Tile and Stone SettersNo formal educational credential	$49,340	$35,830 – $69,640	-15.1%+7.0% nominal
18	Career/Technical Education Teachers, PostsecondaryBachelor's degree	$50,740	$22,520 – $76,670	-15.0%+7.1% nominal
19	First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$57,200	$46,150 – $85,790	-14.2%+8.1% nominal
20	Chemical TechniciansAssociate's degree	$49,030	$38,550 – $86,590	-13.8%+8.6% nominal
21	Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health CounselorsMaster's degree	$63,890	$35,410 – $106,080	-13.8%+8.6% nominal
22	Physical Therapist AssistantsAssociate's degree	$61,980	$34,190 – $84,000	-13.1%+9.5% nominal
23	Personal Financial AdvisorsBachelor's degree	$77,390	$47,840 – $208,970	-12.8%+9.8% nominal
24	Dental Laboratory TechniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,110	$37,210 – $79,170	-12.2%+10.5% nominal
25	SurveyorsBachelor's degree	$73,230	$45,180 – $106,230	-11.6%+11.4% nominal
26	Medical Equipment RepairersAssociate's degree	$58,910	$38,400 – $93,490	-11.3%+11.7% nominal
27	Automotive Service Technicians and MechanicsPostsecondary nondegree award	$46,570	$30,460 – $77,320	-11.1%+12.0% nominal
28	Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree	$171,880	$72,480 – $424,690	-10.9%+12.2% nominal
29	Property Appraisers and AssessorsBachelor's degree	$56,100	$21,080 – $99,840	-10.6%+12.6% nominal
30	Maintenance Workers, MachineryHigh school diploma or equivalent	$60,850	$42,580 – $79,700	-10.5%+12.7% nominal
31	GlaziersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$51,470	$45,160 – $66,170	-10.4%+12.8% nominal
32	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific ProductsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$61,980	$35,770 – $125,390	-10.2%+13.1% nominal
33	Sheet Metal WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$63,140	$44,360 – $85,770	-10.2%+13.1% nominal
34	LogisticiansBachelor's degree	$83,300	$51,540 – $125,440	-9.9%+13.5% nominal
35	Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree	$121,000	$75,640 – $182,790	-9.9%+13.5% nominal
36	Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard TilesNo formal educational credential	$47,900	$38,130 – $90,180	-9.7%+13.7% nominal
37	Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative AssistantsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$61,130	$40,410 – $91,580	-9.7%+13.7% nominal
38	Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38,660	$36,330 – $77,530	-9.2%+14.3% nominal
39	Dietitians and NutritionistsBachelor's degree	$65,310	$35,860 – $99,770	-9.2%+14.4% nominal
40	Community Health WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$55,700	$35,480 – $74,880	-9.2%+14.3% nominal
41	Mechanical EngineersBachelor's degree	$102,500	$73,070 – $160,640	-9.1%+14.5% nominal
42	Occupational TherapistsMaster's degree	$97,150	$75,570 – $126,970	-9.0%+14.5% nominal
43	Printing Press OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$41,030	$31,200 – $61,200	-8.8%+14.9% nominal
44	Parts SalespersonsNo formal educational credential	$39,190	$29,620 – $74,930	-8.5%+15.3% nominal
45	PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree	$144,240	$70,260 – $172,440	-8.4%+15.3% nominal
46	Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales AgentsBachelor's degree	$64,660	$48,230 – $127,050	-8.3%+15.4% nominal
47	Information and Record Clerks, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$43,010	$36,820 – $56,620	-8.3%+15.5% nominal
48	Speech-Language PathologistsMaster's degree	$91,560	$56,070 – $128,490	-8.1%+15.8% nominal
49	Dental AssistantsPostsecondary nondegree award	$37,760	$35,380 – $47,680	-7.4%+16.6% nominal
50	Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except EnginesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$63,580	$47,030 – $95,010	-7.2%+16.8% nominal

More for Utah

Metro areas in Utah

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in Utah

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in Utah to rank honestly.

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Utah

More for Utah

Metro areas in Utah

By field in Utah

Without a degree

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in each state