If you’ve got a college degree and you’re over the whole “live in a shoebox and eat ramen” phase, Idaho is straight-up stealing the show. May great Idaho jobs are ripe for the picking. The state’s unemployment is hovering around 3.5 %, housing is still reasonable (especially outside Boise), and companies are paying real money because they’re short on talent. Boise’s tech scene is exploding, Micron’s still the semiconductor king in the Treasure Valley, and places like Idaho Falls and Coeur d’Alene are quietly loading up on high-paying roles. Here are the six great Idaho jobs my friends who actually work here keep telling me about.
1. Software / Data Engineer
Average pay: $100k–$145k
Boise’s “Treefort Tech” vibe is real—HP, Micron, Clearwater Analytics, and a ton of startups are hiring engineers faster than you can say “stand-up meeting.” CS, computer engineering, or data science degrees are the golden ticket.
Why it’s nuts right now: You’re pulling six figures while your mortgage is half what your Seattle friends pay. Most roles are hybrid, so you can live in Eagle or Meridian and still cash big checks.
Hot spots: Boise, Meridian, Nampa.
Names throwing money: Micron, Kount (now part of Equifax), Cradlepoint, or the new Meta data center team.
Buddy who moved from Portland last year: “Same salary, but I bought a house with a shop and a view of the foothills. I ski Bogus Basin on weekends now.”
2. Registered Nurse (BSN)
Average pay: $80k–$110k + $20k–$30k sign-on bonuses
St. Luke’s in Boise, St. Alphonsus, and Eastern Idaho Regional in Idaho Falls are in a full-on nurse bidding war. Rural hospitals in Twin Falls and Pocatello are offering even more.
Why it’s stupid money: Idaho has nurse shortages that make other states look staffed, so they’re paying permanent staff traveler rates.
3. Semiconductor / Process Engineer
Average pay: $95k–$135k
Micron’s massive Boise fab and the new Texas Instruments plant in the Treasure Valley mean great Idaho jobs for anyone who can optimize chip production or clean-room processes. Chemical, electrical, or materials engineering degrees rule here.
Why it’s hot: Micron just announced another billion-dollar expansion, and they’ll pay relocation + signing bonus.
4. Data Analyst / Business Intelligence
Average pay: $75k–$105k
From Albertsons’ HQ in Boise to the ag-tech firms in the Magic Valley, great Idaho jobs in data analysis have you turning sales numbers or crop yields into actionable insights.
Why it’s sneaky good: Remote-friendly and the promotions come fast when you can show ROI.
5. Financial Analyst
Average pay: $75k–$100k
Boise’s growing finance cluster—Idaho Central Credit Union, Washington Federal, and the insurance arms of big employers—need analysts who can model risk or forecast growth.
Why it’s solid: Starting pay is strong, and the CFA actually gets you real raises here.
6. High School Teacher – Math, Science, SpEd
Average pay: $55k–$80k + loan forgiveness & housing help
Boise School District, West Ada (Meridian), and rural districts like Nampa or Caldwell are tossing $10k–$20k bonuses at anyone who can teach high-need subjects.
Why people stay: Class sizes are reasonable, kids are generally respectful, and you’re off by 3:30 with summers to float the Boise River or hit McCall.
How to Actually Land One of These Great Idaho Jobs (the cheat sheet)
- Put “open to Boise metro” or “willing to relocate to Idaho” in your LinkedIn headline—recruiters search that phrase constantly.
- Hit the IdahoWorks job fairs (they’re painfully effective).
- Use IdahoWorks.gov, but the real action is the local “Tech & Tacos” meetups in Boise and the Idaho Tech Council happy hours.
- Tailor your resume to show money saved or revenue made—Idaho bosses love tangible impact.
I’ve watched a bunch of friends trade coastal chaos for this quieter hustle, and not one regrets it. Great Idaho jobs deliver the pay, the space, and the kind of life where you’re not just surviving—you’re actually living. Plenty of room left for more.
If any of this sounds like the change you’re ready for, quit scrolling and learn how to get your degree quickly and affordably.