Salaries in Boise City, ID

Boise is the kind of city where you can still buy a decent house without a trust fund—unless you’re in tech, then it’s a different game. The median household income here is pushing $80,000, but with a cost of living index at 93.4, your paycheck stretches further than it would in Seattle or Denver. That’s not an accident; it’s a calculated trade-off.

Let’s talk purchasing power. A software developer earning $124,740 sees their salary adjust to a purchasing power equivalent of $133,555 here. That’s real money, especially when a one-bedroom apartment runs about $1,139 a month. For the average worker making $67,735, the COL-adjusted figure is $72,521. It’s not getting-rich-quick money, but it’s a comfortable life if you’re not chasing a luxury zip code.

The city’s economy is anchored by a few key sectors: tech, healthcare, and construction. Micron Technology is the giant in the room, and St. Luke’s Health System is a massive employer. Marketing managers and pharmacists also do exceptionally well here, pulling in salaries north of $130,000. But the real surprise? Construction managers are in the top five—Boise’s growth is literally being built, not just coded.

Here’s the honest catch: wages aren’t keeping up with the housing market’s recent sprint. The 3% unemployment rate means employers are competing for talent, but that hasn’t fully translated to soaring salaries for everyone. This city works beautifully for skilled professionals in the top-paying fields. For everyone else, it’s a stable, affordable base—not a gold rush.

The data below breaks down exactly who’s winning and how the math works out, role by role.