Life Sciences and Healthcare

The life sciences industry contributes to Utah’s diverse, dynamic economy, and its footprint continues to grow nationally. The life sciences industry provided 45,354 full-time and part-time jobs in Utah during 2018, a 5.9% increase from the 42,831 jobs in 2017.

For 15 years since 2002, the annual growth in the number of Utah employees was 3.5% among life sciences companies, compared to 2.0% for all other companies in Utah. The average employee earnings for these employees were more than 50% above the average for Utah jobs in different industries in 2018.

The cutting-edge technology, world-class research, and robust workforce within Utah’s life sciences ecosystem attracted $4.1 billion in investment from 2013 to 2017, including venture capital, subsequent rounds of funding, mergers and acquisitions, and public stock offerings. As the life sciences industry expands, more inputs are required from suppliers, creating additional jobs and investment opportunities in other parts of the state’s economy.

Initiatives

Medical Innovations Pathways (MIP) has expanded since last year to include five school districts and 12 companies. Sixty-three students in the 2020 cohort completed their certificates. With leadership from BioUtah and industry partners, MIP offers specialized courses and practical work experience for high school students to help them develop skills to qualify for careers with Utah’s most elite medical device and laboratory testing companies.

Challenges and Achievements

Utah companies are finding solutions to some of our most significant healthcare challenges through innovative medical technologies that improve and save lives. Utah companies have risen to the challenge brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding their production and distribution to meet the demand, and in some cases, pivoting to address unfulfilled needs.

At a virtual roundtable with the governor held during the COVID-19 pandemic, industry leaders emphasized that as community health is protected, workers within the life sciences industry remain safe and can complete their essential efforts. Meanwhile, the crisis is shining a light on the need for public-private partnerships. As the industry continues to expand rapidly, Utah life science companies depend on the state’s educational system to prepare talent to work within the industry. Other needs include attracting suppliers and building awareness among consumers, locally and nationwide.

Utah Employment in Life Science Industry Components

13.3%

15.3% 36.8%

34.5%

Research, Testing, and Medical Laboratories | 16,687 Jobs Medical Devices and Equipment | 15,660 Jobs Drugs and Pharmaceuticals | 6,956 Jobs Life Sciences Distribution | 6,051 Jobs

Total Employment: 45,354

Targeted Industries

April Young Bennett Industry Director,

LIfe Sciences and Healthcare 801-957-5239 | aybennett@utah.gov