Utah's nonfarm payroll employment increased by an estimated 1.4% across the past 12 months, according to a report published October 16, 2026. The state's current job count stands at 1,801,100, while the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for September is estimated at 3.5%, which is unchanged from its August level.
Ben Crabb, chief economist at the Department of Workforce Services, stated that Utah's labor market remains on solid footing. Crabb noted that even as employers take a more selective approach to hiring, strong participation among prime-age workers is driving the state's long-term economic stability.
The private sector employment in Utah recorded a year-over-year expansion of 1.8%, representing a 26,600-job increase. Major gains were led by education and health services with 8,900 jobs, professional and business services with 5,900 jobs, and construction with 5,000 jobs. While eight of the 10 major private-sector industry groups posted net year-over-year job gains, the information sector experienced a year-over-year loss of 1,700 jobs, and natural resources and mining remained unchanged from a year prior.
Nationally, the September unemployment rate was estimated at 4.2%, which is a tenth of a percentage point higher than the August level. In Utah, approximately 63,200 residents were unemployed in September. The report notes that employment figures are based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics models from monthly employer and household surveys.
County unemployment rates for September are expected to be posted on or shortly after October 19, 2026.
