Utah Teacher Salary and Benefits
Utah teachers earn a median annual salary between $63,190 and $79,180 depending on grade level, according to BLS data for May 2025. The state pairs that pay with a hybrid pension and 401(k) retirement plan and health coverage through the Public Employees Health Program. Utah’s teacher job market is also projected to grow well above the national average through 2034.
Utah backs its teacher pay with two things many states can’t match: a genuine choice in retirement plans and a job market projected to grow faster than the national average. This look at Utah teacher salary and benefits covers what the state actually pays by grade level, how the retirement system works, and what health coverage looks like for public school teachers.
Utah Teacher Salaries by Grade Level
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Utah kindergarten teachers earned a median annual salary of $63,190 as of May 2025, while elementary school teachers earned $74,810. Middle school teachers had the highest median pay in the state at $79,180, followed by high school teachers at $76,330.
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage | Job Growth (2024–2034) |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $63,190 | 16.4% |
| Elementary School Teachers | $74,810 | 15.9% |
| Middle School Teachers | $79,180 | 15.9% |
| High School Teachers | $76,330 | 16.4% |
That job growth figure matters. Nationally, the BLS projects flat to slightly declining employment for these same occupations between 2024 and 2034. Utah bucks that trend entirely, with the state’s own labor market projections showing 15.9% to 16.4% growth across every K-12 teaching category, averaging between 70 and 1,330 annual openings depending on grade level. For someone weighing where to start a teaching career, that’s a meaningfully different outlook than the national picture.
Learn more about becoming a teacher in Utah. Contact schools offering teacher certification requirements in Utah, or check reciprocity rules for out-of-state teachers if you’re already certified elsewhere.
Utah Teacher Retirement Benefits
Eligible newly hired public school employees generally choose between two retirement options through the Utah Retirement Systems. Both are designed to give you lifelong benefits once you retire, but they work differently.
Hybrid Retirement Plan
The hybrid plan combines a pension with a 401(k). Your employer contributes up to the equivalent of 10% of salary toward the Hybrid plan. The amount allocated to the pension versus the 401(k) varies based on the actuarially determined pension contribution rate, and employees may be required to contribute if the pension cost exceeds the employer’s 10% contribution.
The pension portion gives you a guaranteed lifetime monthly benefit calculated with this formula:
Years of service
multiplied by
1.5%
multiplied by
Final Average Salary (average of your five highest years)
For example, someone who worked 35 years with an average salary of $65,000 would receive an annual benefit of $34,125, or $2,843.75 a month.
You become eligible for full monthly retirement benefits at:
- 65 with four years of service
- 62 with 10 years of service
- 60 with 20 years of service
- Any age with 35 years of service
Defined Contribution Plan
The defined contribution plan is just the 401(k) side, with no guaranteed monthly pension attached.
Your employer contributes 10% of salary to the Defined Contribution plan, and those contributions become fully vested after four years of service.
What you receive in retirement depends on investment performance and how much you withdraw. You’re never required to contribute your own money, and you’re responsible for managing your investments.
There’s no age requirement with this plan. You can withdraw from your vested account any time after you leave your position.
Utah also offers death and disability benefits to retirees. Contact the Utah Retirement Systems to learn more.
Health Insurance for Utah Teachers
As a public school employee in Utah, your health insurance is managed through your individual school district.
Many districts use the Public Employees Health Program (PEHP), which gives members access to more than 12,000 providers and every major hospital in the state.
Your specific plan depends on your employer, but coverage typically includes:
- Prescription Drugs
- Well Visits
- Hospital Care
- Specialized Services
- Urgent Care
PEHP also gives members access to dental, life and accident, long-term disability, and health savings accounts.
If you want to learn more about specific benefits, contact your local school district or explore the resources available through PEHP.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do teachers make in Utah?
Median annual salaries range from $63,190 for kindergarten teachers to $79,180 for middle school teachers, according to BLS data for May 2025. Pay varies further by district and years of experience.
What retirement plans do Utah teachers have access to?
Utah teachers choose between the Hybrid Retirement Plan, which combines a pension with a 401(k), and the Defined Contribution Plan, which is a 401(k) only with no guaranteed monthly pension.
Does Utah offer health insurance to public school teachers?
Yes. Health insurance is managed at the district level, and many districts use the Public Employees Health Program, which covers prescription drugs, hospital care, and specialized services through a network of more than 12,000 providers.
Is teaching a growing career field in Utah?
Yes. State labor market projections show 15.9% to 16.4% job growth for K-12 teaching occupations in Utah between 2024 and 2034, well above the flat-to-declining national trend for these same roles.
How is the Hybrid Retirement pension benefit calculated?
The formula is years of service multiplied by 1.5%, multiplied by your final average salary based on your five highest-earning years.
- Pay varies by grade level — Utah’s median teacher salary ranges from $63,190 for kindergarten teachers to $79,180 for middle school teachers, according to BLS data for May 2025.
- Utah’s job outlook beats the national trend — state projections show 15.9% to 16.4% growth for K-12 teaching roles through 2034, compared to flat or declining national projections for the same occupations.
- Two retirement paths are available — the Hybrid Retirement Plan combines a pension with a 401(k), while the Defined Contribution Plan is 401(k) only with no guaranteed pension.
- PEHP anchors most district health coverage — the Public Employees Health Program gives teachers access to more than 12,000 providers statewide.
Find accredited teacher certification programs in Utah, including application requirements and licensing timelines for your certification path.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wage estimates and 2024-2034 employment projections for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, and High School Teachers reflect state and national data, not school-specific outcomes. State or district job-growth projections are sourced separately from national BLS outlook data. Conditions vary by school sector, subject area, and district. Data accessed July 2026.
