Idaho is quickly becoming one of the hottest destinations for tech talent in the US. With a thriving startup scene, growing roster of major tech employers, and unbeatable quality of life, it‘s no wonder that more and more techies are flocking to the Gem State to grow their careers.
In particular, Boise has transformed into a true tech hub over the past decade. The city ranked #12 on CBRE‘s 2021 Scoring Tech Talent report and #11 on CompTIA‘s 2022 Tech Town Index, which analyze factors like job growth, cost of living, and salary potential in US metro areas. As Boise Valley Economic Partnership president Kit Kamo explained, "Boise‘s momentum in tech is the result of many years of effort to develop a complete ecosystem where tech companies and workers alike can thrive."
But tech opportunities extend well beyond Boise as well. Other Idaho cities like Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and Coeur d‘Alene are also seeing growth in industries like energy, aerospace, and manufacturing that require advanced technical skills. Whether you prefer the bustling energy of Boise or the laid-back vibe of a mountain town, you can find cutting-edge tech jobs all across the state.
So what are the highest-paying tech jobs in Idaho? Based on data from Indeed, Glassdoor, PayScale, and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the top 10 best bets for earning a six-figure salary in Idaho tech:
1. Data Scientist
Average salary: $117,212
Salary range: $87,000 – $158,000
Data scientists are in high demand across industries as organizations seek to leverage their troves of data for smarter decision making. According to a 2020 LinkedIn report, data science saw a 37% annual growth rate, making it one of the top emerging jobs in the US.
In Idaho, data scientists earn an average annual salary of $117,212 according to Indeed. Senior and lead data scientists can earn over $150,000 per year at top companies. For example, Albertsons, one of Idaho‘s largest employers, pays their data scientists between $105,000 and $160,000 according to data from Glassdoor.
Typical Responsibilities:
- Mining and analyzing datasets to develop insights
- Building machine learning models to make predictions
- Creating data visualizations and dashboards
- Presenting findings to stakeholders and executives
Top Idaho Companies Hiring:
- Albertsons
- Micron Technology
- Idaho National Laboratory
- Clearwater Analytics
2. Software Engineering Manager
Average salary: $130,478
Salary range: $95,000 – $185,000
Software engineering managers play a key role in leading development teams to ship new products and features. The best managers combine deep technical knowledge with project management and people skills to motivate their teams and hit goals.
According to Glassdoor, the average software engineering manager in Boise earns $130,478, with total pay up to $185,000 at top companies. A recent report from Dice showed a 19% increase in employer job postings for software development managers in Idaho from 2021 to 2022.
Typical Responsibilities:
- Managing a team of software developers
- Planning sprints, tasks and deliverables
- Mentoring engineers on best practices and new skills
- Collaborating with product managers, designers and other functions
- Ensuring code quality, performance and reliability
Top Idaho Companies Hiring:
- HP
- Cradlepoint
- Paylocity
- Kount
3. Cloud Solutions Architect
Average salary: $135,297
Salary range: $99,000 – $185,000
As companies in every industry undergo digital transformation, cloud solutions architects are critical for designing resilient, scalable cloud infrastructure. In fact, the National Labor Exchange projects 25% growth in cloud solutions architect jobs in Idaho over the next 10 years.
PayScale data shows these professionals earn an average of $135,297 in Idaho, with top earners bringing in over $180,000 per year. Major cloud certifications like AWS Solutions Architect or Azure Solutions Architect can boost salaries even higher.
Typical Responsibilities:
- Designing and deploying cloud environments and migrations
- Selecting tools and services to meet business needs
- Ensuring security, governance and compliance of cloud systems
- Supporting cloud adoption and best practices across the organization
Top Idaho Companies Hiring:
- AWS (Amazon)
- Deloitte
- Idaho Power
- Simplot
4. DevOps Engineer
Average salary: $110,145
Salary range: $80,000 – $150,000
The rise of DevOps culture and practices has made DevOps engineers some of the most sought-after tech professionals today. By 2026, the DevOps market is projected to reach $37 billion globally, growing at a rate of over 24% per year.
DevOps engineers in Idaho earn an average yearly salary of $110,145 according to ZipRecruiter. Senior DevOps engineers at large Idaho employers can make up to $150,000 or more.
Typical Responsibilities:
- Implementing CI/CD pipelines to automate development processes
- Managing cloud infrastructure using tools like Terraform, CloudFormation, or Ansible
- Monitoring system stability, performance and security
- Collaborating with developers to optimize builds and deployments
Top Idaho Companies Hiring:
- Micron Technology
- Morinda/ New Age
- Kount
- Idaho Central Credit Union
5. Data Engineer
Average salary: $112,043
Salary range: $85,000 – $160,000
Data engineers build the foundation that makes data science and analytics possible. They develop the pipelines and infrastructure to collect, store, and process huge datasets that fuel business intelligence.
According to data from Dice, data engineers saw the fastest growing salaries of any tech occupation in 2022, with an average increase of 4.3% nationwide. In Idaho, data engineers earn an average salary of $112,043, with skills like Spark, Hadoop, and data warehousing commanding top dollar.
Typical Responsibilities:
- Designing and optimizing ETL pipelines
- Building and maintaining data warehouses and data lakes
- Integrating structured and unstructured data from multiple sources
- Ensuring data quality, security and governance
- Supporting analytics and machine learning initiatives
Top Idaho Companies Hiring:
- J.R. Simplot
- Albertsons
- Idaho National Laboratory
- Gravity Payments
6. Cybersecurity Engineer
Average salary: $107,954
Salary range: $71,000 – $132,000
It‘s impossible to overstate the importance of cybersecurity in today‘s digital world. Data breaches cost organizations $4.35 million on average in 2022, and the need for skilled cybersecurity engineers is higher than ever. Lightcast projects 38% growth in cybersecurity jobs in Idaho by 2030.
Cybersecurity engineers in Idaho earn an average of $107,954 according to Salary.com. Those with in-demand skills and certifications like CISSP or CEH can command even higher salaries.
Typical Responsibilities:
- Designing and implementing security controls and systems
- Conducting vulnerability scans and penetration tests
- Monitoring networks for threats and anomalies
- Responding to incidents and performing forensic investigations
- Ensuring compliance with security policies and regulations
Top Idaho Companies Hiring:
- Boise State University
- Cradlepoint
- Idaho Power
- Idaho Central Credit Union
7. Network Architect
Average salary: $121,578
Salary range: $85,000 – $154,000
Network architects design and implement the complex networks that keep organizations connected and running smoothly. As remote work becomes the norm, the demand for reliable, high-performance networks has never been greater.
In Idaho, network architects earn an impressive $121,578 per year on average according to Glassdoor. With the rise of cloud, SDN, and network automation, those with experience in next-gen networking stand to earn the highest salaries.
Typical Responsibilities:
- Planning and designing enterprise network architecture
- Configuring and optimizing routers, switches and other network devices
- Monitoring network performance and troubleshooting issues
- Evaluating and integrating new networking technologies
- Managing network security, policies and documentation
Top Idaho Companies Hiring:
- HP
- Micron Technology
- CompuNet
- Idaho State Department of Labor
8. Software Developer
Average salary: $93,781
Salary range: $57,000 – $137,000
Software developers are the creative minds behind the apps and programs we use every day. They use a variety of programming languages and tools to bring ideas to life and solve problems.
The Idaho Department of Labor projects that application software developer jobs will grow 40% statewide between 2020 and 2030—that‘s over 1,500 new jobs. While entry-level developers start around $60,000, those with experience can earn well into the six figures at major Idaho employers like Simplot and HP.
Typical Responsibilities:
- Writing clean, efficient code in languages like Python, Java or C#
- Collaborating with designers and product managers to plan new features
- Testing and debugging code to improve functionality
- Integrating frontend and backend systems
- Documenting and maintaining codebases over time
Top Idaho Companies Hiring:
- J.R. Simplot
- Clearwater Analytics
- Paylocity
- Perficient
9. IT Manager
Average salary: $98,124
Salary range: $65,000 – $146,000
IT managers are responsible for overseeing an organization‘s technology strategy, infrastructure, and operations. They combine technical know-how with business and people skills to drive digital transformation.
On average, IT managers make just under six figures in Idaho at $98,124 according to PayScale. However, those overseeing large teams and systems can earn $140,000 or more per year.
Typical Responsibilities:
- Managing IT budgets, vendors and projects
- Developing IT policies, standards and procedures
- Overseeing help desk and technical support teams
- Implementing new hardware and software systems
- Aligning IT operations with business goals and needs
Top Idaho Companies Hiring:
- Idaho Central Credit Union
- Blue Cross of Idaho
- WinCo Foods
- Idaho State University
10. Solutions Architect
Average salary: $111,899
Salary range: $88,000 – $159,000
Solutions architects design and plan complex systems to meet an organization‘s business and technology needs. They evaluate different tools and approaches in order to recommend optimal solutions.
In Idaho, solutions architects earn an average annual salary of $111,899 according to Indeed. With the rapid pace of cloud adoption and digital transformation, experienced solutions architects can expect ample career opportunities across industries.
Typical Responsibilities:
- Gathering and analyzing business and technical requirements
- Designing software and system architectures
- Evaluating and recommending development tools and platforms
- Providing guidance to development teams
- Overseeing governance and quality assurance processes
Top Idaho Companies Hiring:
- Boise State University
- Idaho Power
- Simplot
- Kount
From software development to IT operations to data science, Idaho offers lots of exciting pathways to make your mark (and a great living) in tech. The 10 jobs highlighted here represent some of the best opportunities to earn a six-figure salary while working on cutting-edge projects in the Gem State.
While breaking into tech‘s upper echelons takes a combination of education, skills, and experience, it‘s a goal that‘s increasingly within reach for Idahoans. Thanks to the rise of high-quality online learning platforms, coding bootcamps, and local STEM initiatives, aspiring techies have more avenues than ever to gain job-ready skills.
As Vanessa Olvera, Software Guild‘s director of education success explains, "Whether you‘re just getting started in tech or looking to make a mid-career pivot, there are so many great ways to skill up these days without getting another degree. Especially for in-demand fields like software engineering, data, and cybersecurity, completing a bootcamp or certification can open doors to high-paying jobs."
Of course, skills are just one part of the equation. To land a top tech job in Idaho, you‘ll also need to tap into local networks and demonstrate your unique value to employers. Luckily, getting integrated into Idaho‘s welcoming tech community is easy thanks to groups like Built in Idaho, Boise Startup Week, and Idaho Technology Council, which host frequent meetups and events.
When it comes to applying and interviewing, focus on highlighting the specific ways your skills and experience can help solve an employer‘s problems. Don‘t be afraid to show off relevant projects in your portfolio and express your enthusiasm for an organization‘s mission.
With the right combination of technical chops, passion, and persistence, you‘ll be well on your way to joining the ranks of Idaho‘s most handsomely compensated tech workers. And once you‘re there, you‘ll get to enjoy all the perks of Idaho living, from unmatched outdoor recreation to quirky local culture (potato ice cream, anyone?) to a genuinely good work-life balance.
Now that you‘re armed with this inside scoop on Idaho‘s top-paying tech jobs, all that‘s left to do is start making your mark! Trust us, with all the natural beauty and adventure just outside your door in the Gem State, you‘ll have plenty of inspiration.
