Life Sciences

With a large industry base, highly skilled workforce and direct access to one of the most extensive transportation systems in the country, Ogden is a leading location for the life sciences industry. The industry is comprised of three niche sectors: medical equipment and supplies manufacturing, pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing, and drugs and druggists’ sundries wholesalers. Key industry data is presented below (source: JobsEQ, Q2 2020).

Life Sciences by the Numbers

  • 227 - Businesses

  • 4,880 - Jobs

  • 1.16 - LQ

  • $69,013 - Wages Per Job

  • 1.7% - Total Regional Employment

Industry Sectors

Industry Empl. LQ Avg. Ann. Wage
Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing 1,799 7.53 $67,968
Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing 1,466 3.88 $62,254
Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing 225 3.87 $62,071
Dental Laboratories 102 1.16 $41,605

Workforce

Occupation Empl. LQ Avg. Wage
Team Assemblers 216 1.61 $34,900
Packaging and Filing Machine Operators and Tendors 192 1.26 $30,500
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers 191 1.37 $50,400
General and Operations Managers 168 1.69 $101,300
Dental Laboratory Technicians 156 2.73 $44,100
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products 147 0.68 $87,600
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers 120 1.37 $65,000
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 114 2.15 $35,900

Major Employers

Company Employees
Fresenius USA Manufacturing 1,000 to 1,999
Nutraceutical 1,000 to 1,999
Cornerstone Nutritional Health 250 to 499
Global Health Industries 100 to 249
Trace Minerals Research 50 to 99
Mineral Resources International 20 to 49
Systemic Formulas 20 to 49

Education & Training

Over 2,500 students complete engineering and manufacturing programs at area colleges each year. These colleges include:

  • Weber State University
  • Utah State University
  • University of Utah
  • Bridgerland, Davis, and Ogden-Weber technical colleges
  • Salt Lake Community College

Pathway programs at local high schools include Advanced Composites, Engineering, and Information Technology. Apprenticeships developed by industry associations receive state funding (e.g., Machine Utah).

Life Sciences Related Regional Degree Completions (2019)

  • Engineering: 1,402

  • Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians: 482

  • Engineering Technologies: 441

  • Precision Production: 209

Industry data sources: JobsEQ Q2 2020; Utah Firm Find