There’s never been a better time to live in Utah for a young professional.

I recently have had conversations with a few friends that live outside of Utah, trying to convince them that there has never been a better time to move to Utah. My reasoning;there are tons of Great jobs, a balanced lifestyle and a growing culture. I have lived in other cities with these friends, experienced big markets and what they have to offer, I get it. I get wanting to work for big name companies, going to fancy restaurants,art galleys, strolling central park,enjoying the sunny beaches, or mystic views of the Golden Gate bridge. I get the allure of spending your 20’s and early 30’s in these cities, I myself did it. I have lived in NYC,LA and the Bay area,I am glad I had these experiences. It was scary coming back to Utah as I had a thought my life wouldn’t be as rich as living in a big city,but as I have found out… that notion is completely wrong.
I want to address the most common concerns about being a Young Professional in Utah
- I will have to take a big pay cut.
- I feel I need to work in a big market with big names to Jump Start my career.
- Worried about the Culture.
I will have to take a huge Pay Cut
An article in the Desert News from 2015 stated that the average pay rate for college graduates from the University of Utah was Early Career $48,100 and mid-career median $86,100; With BYU having slightly higher averages and Utah State slightly lower. Using the internet site Numbeo, on average it costs a single person living in the city of Salt Lake City about $1900 a Month. So taking the Early Career wages and subtracting taxes, your total income amounts to about $34,677 a year. Total average living costs for the year is $22,800, taking the Average salary and subtracting taxes and living expenses you net about $12,000. If you’re making a Salary of $90,000, after taxes you are at about $63,221 then subtracting living expenses you net about $40000 after yearly living expenses. While looking specifically at San Francisco, the amount of total taxes taken from your Salary is about 37% compared to 34% in Utah. While the cost of living in SF for a single person per month is $4398.88 a month, $52,786 for a year. NYC And LA with a little less but similar numbers. So let’s say your offer in a big market is about $140,000, and then $51,800 goes to taxes, and then $52,786 go to living expenses, you are netting about $36,500 a year. I am estimating that $140,000 in SF, equates to about $87,000 give or take in SLC when you look at living expenses and taxes. As you continue to make more money, you may be saving more and more in SLC compared to making money in other markets. Also, the opportunity to buy a house or other types of investments may be greater.
I feel I need to work in a big market with big names to Jump Start my career.
The availability and diversity of jobs available to graduates in Utah as close back to 2012 was slim, only a few bigger name companies offered a valuable experience both financially and strategically for new graduates and young professionals. In the last 5 years the economy and presence of solid companies with amazing opportunities has grown immensely in Utah. Companies that pay well, provide valuable experience and take care of their employees is something that is prevalent and growing in the market. Some of these companies include Qualtrics, Adobe, Workday, Goldman Sachs,Domo, Lucid, Pluralsight, Instructure, Vivint Smart Home and Vivint Solar to name a few of the bigger players. I have friends in Big markets complaining about their work lifestyle and are working close to 100 hours a week and aren’t happy. I am not saying Utah companies don’t work as hard, but the culture breeds better lifestyles that help people live a balanced lifestyle leading to more happiness. These companies and jobs are recognizable on the resume wherever you go. Utah has also created an Eco-system of jobs, so if you want to change and try another company, there are many options in the Utah Market. This is actually encouraged from the local companies as it increases the attractiveness of working here as there are back up plans.
Worried about the Culture
I get that Utah doesn’t have the art galleries and maybe perceived culture that bigger cities have to offer, however it is improving and while it may lack a bit in these areas it makes up big in other areas such as nature activities. The local food scene has improved and will continue to. There are many concerts, events, series etc that fill the culture void you may feel you are missing. Also, there are tons and tons of young professionals to create relationships with, it is a happening place and economy that is booming! The availability of Utah’s outdoors is second to none as the ski resorts are near, additionally weekend trips to world renown state parks in Southern Utah are near. I find it funny, when living outside Utah and telling people where I am from, they know always reference Park City or ZION. These are places people around the world come to, and it’s in Utah’s backyard. I know most of you reading this have been to these places, but moving away and coming back I have come to appreciate them more. Also, when you have a good job, you have more money to enjoy some more adventures!
There really isn’t a better time to live in Utah right now, as there are great jobs, a balanced lifestyle, and growing culture. I get wanting to live in a big city, like I said, I would not change my path and I may leave again. But I am saying, Utah is something you should now strongly consider and no longer a place you need to leave due to a lack of career opportunities.
