The Department of Workforce Services reports that Utah continues to be one of the nation’s best performing economies throughout this pandemic period. Only four states have more jobs now than before the pandemic commenced in early 2020: Utah, Idaho, Arizona, and Texas. Utah’s December private sector employment recorded a two-year expansion of 5 percent. Eight of Utah’s 10 major private-sector industry groups posted net two-year job gains, led by Trade, Transportation and Utilities with 22,300 jobs added; Professional and Business Services with 15,200 jobs added; Construction with 11,500 jobs added; and Manufacturing with 7,900 jobs added. The two industry groups with less employment than two years ago are Natural Resources and Mining with a loss of 800 jobs; and Other Services with a loss of 200 jobs. Though not as much as other areas of the state, the Uintah Basin did still record employment growth over the last two years.
