Cost to hire an employee in Utah
On top of a $50,000 salary, a Utah employer pays roughly $4,782 in payroll taxes and insurance before benefits, about 9.6% of wages.
Last verified November 2, 2026. Sources: jobs.utah.gov, oregon.gov.
What a Utah employer pays
| Cost | Rate | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | 6.2% | Wages up to $184,500 |
| Medicare | 1.45% | All wages |
| Federal unemployment (FUTA) | 0.6% net | First $7,000 |
| Utah unemployment (SUTA) | 1.2% new employer 0.1%–7.1% experienced | First $50,700 |
| Workers' compensation | ~$0.63 per $100 | Varies by job class |
Social cost 0.1%, included in all rates
Total cost at different salaries
| Salary | Employer taxes & insurance | % of salary | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,000 | $3,360 | 9.6% | $38,360 |
| $50,000 | $4,782 | 9.6% | $54,782 |
| $75,000 | $6,860 | 9.1% | $81,860 |
| $100,000 | $8,930 | 8.9% | $108,930 |
| $150,000 | $13,070 | 8.7% | $163,070 |
Benefits usually cost more than taxes. The BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation survey puts benefits at roughly 30% of total compensation in private industry. Add your health plan cost in the calculator to include it.
Utah vs. neighboring states
| State | SUTA wage base | New-employer rate | Cost on $50,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | $50,700 | 1.2% | $4,782 |
| Arizona | $8,000 | 2% | $4,377 |
| Colorado | $30,600 | 3.05% | $5,545 |
| Idaho | $58,300 | 1% | $4,917 |
| Nevada | $43,700 | 3% | $5,543 |
| New Mexico | $34,800 | 1% | $4,740 |
| Wyoming | $33,800 | 1.69% | $5,143 |
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to hire an employee in Utah?
- On a $50,000 salary, employer payroll taxes and insurance add about $4,782 (9.6%), before benefits, for a total of $54,782.
- What is the Utah SUTA rate for new employers?
- New employers generally pay 1.2% on the first $50,700 of each employee's wages. Experienced employers pay between 0.1% and 7.1%.
- Do Utah employers pay FUTA?
- Yes. Employers pay 6.0% on the first $7,000 of wages, reduced to 0.6% with the state unemployment credit.