The Utah Chamber and the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute released the October 2026 Roadmap to Prosperity Economic Dashboard to provide business leaders with an understanding of the state's economy. The tool prioritizes key data on the economic outlook and provides context for decision-makers.
Utah’s year-over job count grew 1.4%, with growth led by the construction and education & health services industries. This employment growth ranked as the fourth fastest among states. However, the information and government sectors both shed jobs over the year. The information sector, which is largely tech-related, lost approximately 1,700 jobs relative to one year ago.
The labor force participation rate in Utah increased in September for the first time since April 2023. After reaching a 14-year low in August, the rate ticked up slightly to 66.5% in September. While the national rate similarly reversed course in August of this year following sustained declines, it remains below Utah’s rate of 61.8%.
Utah consumer sentiment fell to its lowest level since November 2022. Impacted by higher prices and general economic uncertainty, both Utah and U.S. consumers reported lower sentiment in October than in the prior month. Relative to one year earlier, Utah’s sentiment dropped 6.5%, while U.S. sentiment fell 10.4%.
Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Utah Chamber, stated that Utahns have a long track record of adapting to changing conditions. He noted that even as higher prices weigh on households and businesses, the expanding labor market reflects the steady strength of Utah’s economy. Miller added that declining consumer sentiment is one of several indicators being tracked to help the business community plan for a strong 2027.
Natalie Gochnour, director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and associate dean at the David Eccles School of Business, said Utah continues to demonstrate economic resilience, with job growth outpacing much of the nation. Gochnour noted that while a modest rebound in labor force participation is encouraging, declining consumer confidence reflects the continued pressure of higher prices and economic uncertainty on Utah households.
