Utah: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #28 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 3,271,616.
Utah ranks #28 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (42.7). Healthcare and Social Assistance carries the lowest risk at 22.9 (Low), while Other Services is the most challenging at 52.1 (Elevated). The 29.2-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 185,503 jobs.
Utah: 42.7 Average Entry Risk
Utah at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Utah
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Utah.
Entry Risk by Industry in Utah
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Utah. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Utah Industry Data: 111,878 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 22.9 | #1/51 | 13,740 | 185,503 | $57,617 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 36.5 | #22/51 | 7,219 | 143,500 | $25,609 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 40.1 | #22/51 | 15,610 | 138,261 | $70,203 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 40.3 | #13/51 | 11,094 | 179,051 | $43,395 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 42.2 | #31/51 | 27,256 | 131,799 | $109,502 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 46.6 | #38/51 | 6,655 | 24,872 | $69,355 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 47.4 | #33/51 | 5,042 | 40,195 | $121,764 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 47.5 | #42/51 | 9,056 | 93,294 | $55,336 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 51.9 | #27/51 | 7,868 | 74,059 | $103,465 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 52.1 | #42/51 | 8,338 | 42,737 | $48,353 |
Largest Industries in Utah by Employment
Metro Markets in Utah
5 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Utah Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
Utah: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Utah's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Utah averages 42.7 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #28 of 51 state markets. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions; the national average sits near 44.
What is the easiest industry to start a business in within Utah?
Healthcare and Social Assistance carries the lowest entry risk in Utah at 22.9 (Low). It employs 185,503 workers across 13,740 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Utah?
Other Services posts Utah's highest entry risk at 52.1 (Elevated). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Utah?
111,878 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Utah, employing 1,053,271 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Utah's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Utah with 185,503 jobs across 13,740 establishments and an entry risk score of 22.9.