CPA in Utah

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for UT. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$75,100

trending_down -8.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Utah.

engineering

16,540

Jobs (UT)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,185

Est. total cost

schedule

6-9 years post-high school (typically 1-3 years post-bachelor's degree for exam and licensure)

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in Utah

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Utah, candidates must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements. The licensing body is the Utah Board of Accountancy, under the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL). Aspiring CPAs need 150 semester hours of education, including a bachelor's degree, pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination, and complete 2,000 hours of supervised accounting experience. Additionally, candidates must pass both the AICPA Professional Ethics Exam and the Utah Laws and Rules Exam, and be at least 18 years old. Utah also offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in other U.S. states or territories.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $43,780

25th percentile $58,430

50th (median) $75,100

75th percentile $98,270

90th (experienced) $129,890

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Utah. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Utah requirements

Licensing body	Utah Board of Accountancy
State license	Required
Education	150 semester hours, including a bachelor's degree with a concentration in accounting and business. (Note: Starting July 1, 2026, a bachelor's degree alone will satisfy the educational requirements for CPA licensure.)
Experience	2,000.0 hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,423)
Application fee	$85
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	80.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age: 18 years old. Requires passing the AICPA Professional Ethics Exam (score of 90% or higher) and the Utah Laws and Rules Exam (score of 75% or higher). No U.S. citizenship or residency requirement. Must be of good moral character. Starting July 1, 2026, the 150-credit hour requirement will be removed, and a bachelor's degree with two years of experience will qualify for licensure.

Source: Utah Board of Accountancy

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.6%

Faster than average

Annual openings

124,200

Nationwide per year

Total employment

1,579,800

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 1.48/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period

0 months

~$1,185 investment ÷ $75,100 median salary

check_circleUtah license required — clearer credential signal to employers
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a cpa career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a cpa in Utah? expand_more

Utah requires cpas to complete the required education (150 semester hours, including a bachelor's degree with a concentration in accounting and business. (Note: Starting July 1, 2026, a bachelor's degree alone will satisfy the educational requirements for CPA licensure.)), gain 2,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($85 fee).

Does Utah require cpa licensure? expand_more

Yes, Utah requires a state license to practice as a cpa. The licensing body is Utah Board of Accountancy. You must pass the Uniform CPA Examination.

What is the average cpa salary in Utah? expand_more

The median cpa salary in Utah is $75,100 per year. That's 8% below the national median of $81,680. The range spans from $43,780 at the entry level to $129,890 for top earners.

How much does it cost to become a cpa in Utah? expand_more

Plan on spending $1,185 total — that covers exam fee ($1,423) and application fee ($85) plus your education and training.

How long does it take to become a cpa in Utah? expand_more

The typical timeline in Utah is 6-9 years post-high school (typically 1-3 years post-bachelor's degree for exam and licensure). This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

Does Utah require continuing education for cpas? expand_more

To keep your license active, Utah mandates 80.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.