Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Idaho 2024 (Inc Salaries)

The abundant potato crop is not the only gem in the Gem State.

Its outdoor activities, beautiful sceneries, and comfortable and mild summers make it a well-known treasure for adventure seekers. On the other hand, its affordable cost of living, low taxes, and ranking 18^th in economic opportunity among all the states make it a hidden gem for job seekers and professionals.

Suppose these aren't enough to entice you. In that case, this might; Their median year-over-year pay change rose by 7.5%, meaning they offer higher increases in pay yearly as compared to other states.

To maximize this healthy pay growth, you should check out the best jobs in Idaho that will already give you a hefty paycheck. With that said, check out today’s top high paying jobs in Idaho below.

Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Idaho 2024 (Inc Salaries)

1. Geriatric Physician

• Salary Range: $246,000 to $465,000, with a median annual wage of $243,300

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 3% (24,200 job openings) *projected growth rate includes the demand for all types of physicians 

The demand and expected salary for all types of physicians in Idaho and the US remain high, and geriatric physicians are one of them. Geriatric doctors are well-versed in the impacts of the aging process on patients' mental, social, and physical condition.

They are specially trained in treating and managing the acute and chronic medical conditions that tend to affect older adults (65 years old and above), and these include arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, balance issues, dementia, cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease, and many more.

Aspiring geriatricians need to finish medical school since they aim to become medical doctors. After obtaining a medical degree and passing the first two parts of the USMLE, they must complete residency training in internal medicine and pass the last part of the USMLE to work as an internist.

Lastly, they must complete geriatric fellowship training and earn board certification to work as geriatricians. 

Other high-paying medical specialties in Idaho are cardiologists, surgeons, and radiologists.

2. Dentist

• Salary Range: $209,000 to $361,000, with an estimated annual income of $191,200

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 4% (5,100 employment opportunities) 

Dentists are medical practitioners who help patients care for their teeth, mouth, and gums. In addition to educating patients on proper dental hygiene, they are responsible for correcting and treating oral diseases and teeth and gum disorders. To do this, they deliver various dental care services, from the basic ones (teeth cleaning, whitening, removal, filling, root cans, etc.) to major services (crowns, bridges, implants, and the like).

To become licensed dentists in Idaho, dentists must complete dental school and obtain a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. After that, they must pass the Central Region Dental Testing Service (CRDTS), Western Regional Examining Board (WREB), or ADEX examinations. 

Lewiston offers an annual average salary 12.1% higher than Idaho's average, making it the highest-paying city in Idaho for dentists.

3. C-suite Executives

• Salary Range: $237,000 to $442,000, with an average yearly pay of $159,800 *salary information is for CEOs, the highest-paid C-suite executive

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 3% (311,600 job postings) *projected growth rate includes demand for all chief executives and general managers

C-suite executives is the umbrella term for the company’s top senior executives. This term was coined because all their job titles start with the letter C, which means Chief (i.e., Chief Executive Officer, Chief Finance Officer, Chief Information Officer, and many more).  

Representing upper management, they are responsible for working together to ensure that the company will meet its established goals, fulfil its objectives, and adhere to its plans and policies.

Their responsibilities vary depending on the type of department they handle, but their main duties may include managing and creating long-term business plans and short-term strategies, establishing organizational culture and departmental policies, establishing budget allocation plans, and communicating and collaborating with managers and employees.

A Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) degree is the minimum requirement for top executives. They can further demonstrate their business expertise by obtaining relevant certifications. 

Above all, they must have management experience and strong industry connections, which can be attained through various networking opportunities like mixers, conferences, and organizations.

With 1,560 employed chief executives and managers, Boise is one of the metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients for this position. 

4. Dermatologist

• Salary Range: $136,000 to $235,000, with an expected yearly wage of $149,100

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 3% (400 job opportunities) 

Dermatologists are the medical industry's skin experts who treat and manage conditions affecting the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes. They offer medical care for common skin conditions and perform surgical interventions to more complex skin problems. Depending on their specialization, they might also deliver cosmetic treatments, including laser hair removal, fillers, and chemical peels.

After obtaining a medical degree, aspiring dermatologists need to complete a dermatology residency program. They must also secure licensing and board certification by passing the US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and the examination administered by the American Board of Dermatology (ABOD).  

Offering an annual mean wage of $525,000, Idaho ranks 5^th among the top paying states for dermatologists.

5. Veterinarian

• Salary Range: $138,000 to $238,000, with a median annual wage of $136,800

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 20% (5,000 job openings) 

Veterinarians are doctors who specialize in maintaining health and well-being and treating a wide range of diseases that affect various animals, including livestock, common household pets, and wildlife. They also educate pet owners on proper nutrition and preventative healthcare maintenance. Lastly, they also play a key role in protecting public health by advocating for and administering pet vaccinations. 

A bachelor's degree in biology or animal science is the prerequisite to veterinary school. After obtaining a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, aspiring veterinarians also need to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) to secure their state license. Lastly, they must also earn a certification from the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners to specialize in their chosen field.

The annual salary of veterinarians in Lewiston is 12.6% higher than the Idaho average, making it the highest-paying city for this position. 

6. Director of Strategy

• Salary Range: $147,000 to $259,000, with an estimated pay of $133,100 per year

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 3% (311,600 job vacancies) *projected growth includes the need for all management positions

The main role of strategy directors or Directors of Strategic Initiatives is to develop and implement business plans to help the company meet its long-term goals.

These experts first determine the current state and performance of the company through KPIs and market analysis. Based on their findings, they formulate strategies to help the company increase growth, maximize profitability, and ensure a competitive edge over other businesses. All strategy directors start with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. However, companies prefer candidates with an MBA degree. On top of that, they also look for professionals with at least 10 years of work experience as a project manager or strategic planner. As with Chief Executives, industry connections are vital to landing this role.

As per ZipRecruiter, the Senior Research Director, Senior Director of Engineering, and Director of Product Security are other best-paying director positions in Boise, ID.

7. Data Engineer

• Salary Range: $116,000 to $185,000, with an average annual income of $118,200

• US Job Outlook (2021-31): 5% *projected growth rate is for all data-related occupations

Data engineers are the backbone of the data analytics industry. They design and develop complex data systems that can collect, organize, and convert large amounts of raw data into usable information needed for data analytics. 

A bachelor's degree in computer science or information technology is the minimum requirement for securing an entry level position in this field. Aspiring data engineers should obtain a master's degree and other relevant professional certifications to demonstrate their industry expertise. 

Lewiston is the best paying city in Idaho for data engineers, offering an annual salary 12.6% higher than the Idaho average. 

8. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

• Salary Range: $113,000 to $171,000, with an estimated yearly pay of $117,600

• Job Outlook (2022-32): 38% (29,200 employment opportunities) 

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are registered nurses with additional years of training and education who can deliver an advanced level of care to patients and perform more than basic nursing tasks.

There are four APRN specialties: a nurse practitioner (NP), certified nurse midwife (CNM), nurse anesthetist (CRNA), and clinical nurse specialist (CNS).

NPs offer the same medical care as doctors, but they should be under the supervision of a physician. At the same time, CNSs have clinical expertise in a specialized care area and can also take on administrative functions in their workplace.

On the other hand, CNMs focus on delivering reproductive care for women, and CRNAs provide anesthesia care to patients undergoing surgery.

The minimum educational requirement for APRNs is a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. They also need to complete required clinical hours and pass a national certification exam, the type of which depends on the APRN specialty they wish to pursue.

Earning an average annual salary of $195,700, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is one of the highest paying jobs in Boise, ID. 

9. Data Scientist

• Salary Range: $102,000 to $179,000, with a projected annual pay of $110,500

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 35% (17,700 job postings)

Using statistical techniques, data scientists convert huge amounts of raw data to derive meaningful insights useful for different business aspects, including decision-making, risk management, product development, and operations management.

The daily tasks of data scientists may vary depending on the company’s size and industry, but their responsibilities often include extracting, preprocessing, and analyzing data to determine solutions and patterns, formulating strategies to address business challenges, and presenting them to management. 

For this career path, the first step is to get an undergraduate degree in computer science, statistics, and data science. To make their resume more attractive to prospective employers, data scientists also need to specialize in a specific industry (database management, machine learning, or artificial intelligence) and obtaining relevant certifications is the best way to do this.

Obtaining an advanced degree—either an MS or an MBA—is highly recommended for data scientists vying for higher roles.

With 200 employed data scientists in Idaho Falls, ID, it’s one of the metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of location quotients and jobs for this occupation.

10.  Solar Consultant

• Salary Range: $163,000 to $298,000, with an average yearly income of $108,900

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 4% (11,400 job vacancies) *projected growth rate includes the need for sales and representative jobs for technical and scientific products           

Also known as solar sales representatives, solar consultants explain the technical and practical details of renewable energy sources to their customers. They assist clients in determining the amount of power they need and the cost and rate of return of a solar system.

At least a high school degree is needed to become a solar consultant, but most companies prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, or engineering.

It’s also ideal for these sales reps to finish certification programs, like the PV Technical Sales certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. Having years of sales experience is also a plus. 

According to Glassdoor, solar sales consultants may also receive an estimated additional pay of $109,000 annually through cash bonuses and commissions. 

 If you can’t find your target job in the top 10 list, here are the other high-paying jobs in Idaho that you may want to check out:

• Travel Med Surg Nurse: $95,100 

• Regional Sales Manager: $93,600

• Radiation Therapist:$91,100

• Project Manager: $81,900

• Aircraft mechanic and service technician: $79,900

• Sales Representative: $76,200

• Human Resources Manager: $72,700

• Financial Analyst: $70,600

• Lead Recruiter: $67,100

Conclusion

How easy it is to find jobs in Idaho depends largely on the city you're in and your education and experience level.

According to Monster.com, the best Idaho cities to build a career in are Boise (IT and engineering), Twin Falls (manufacturing and retail), Pocatello (healthcare and administrative), and Coeur d’Alene (finance and business).

Now that you know which Idaho cities to target, it's time to further your education and experience level. The best way to do that is to obtain a business degree, which will demonstrate your diversified skillset, commitment to professional growth, and plenty of networking opportunities.

If you’re worried about not having enough time or money to invest in continuing education, don’t fret! There are now online BBA and MBA programs that you can work through at your own pace, and you get to save more money the sooner you finish them.

Nexford offers an online MBA with up to 6 specializations from which you can choose. Also, each MBA comes with up to 7 competencies, so you can customize your course to fit your goals. 

FAQs

What is the highest-paying job within Idaho State in 2024?

A physician or surgeon is one of the highest-paid jobs in the USA and Idaho. With an average annual salary of $243,300, a geriatric physician and all other physicians will be the highest-paid jobs in ID in 2024.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which Idaho jobs are projected to have the highest growth rate?

According to BLS projections, APRNs will experience the highest growth rate, at 38%. They are followed by data scientists, at 35%, and veterinarians, at 20%.

What is the best career path in Idaho in 2024?

This list of the highest-paying jobs in Idaho includes a wide variety of industries, but certain sectors stand out the most. Considering the nature and projected growth rate of the listed jobs, the industries that will give you the best career opportunities in Idaho are healthcare, business, and data analytics.

What skills or expertise are required for high-paying Idaho jobs?

To thrive in any of these jobs, you must develop critical soft skills, including communication, interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, adaptability/ flexibility, and a work ethic.

Additionally, you need to have sought-after industry-specific skills. For example, you need to have good marketing skills, business acumen, and negotiation skills for business and technology jobs, as well as in-depth medical and scientific knowledge and clinical skills for healthcare occupations. Lastly, professionals in data analytics need to have extensive programming language knowledge.  

Lastly, you need excellent leadership and managerial skills to earn higher positions in these roles.

Download our free report here to determine which skills you need for the particular job you want.

What qualifications are required for high-paying Idaho jobs?

While an undergraduate degree can help you land entry-level positions in some industries, a master’s degree can improve your employability in many high-paying jobs in ID. Physician and dentist jobs are an exception since you need a medical or doctorate degree for these positions.

Why is gaining a BBA/MBA degree beneficial for attaining a high-paying job in Idaho?

Regardless of what industry you wish to enter, a business degree can help you achieve your career goals in many ways. For one, it provides you with specialized knowledge to make good business decisions—a must for higher positions like department leaders and managers.

It also demonstrates a diversified skillset, which commands higher market compensation and better-earning potential. 

Lastly, most business schools offer excellent networking and recruitment opportunities, increasing one's chances of getting hired for more prestigious jobs and better-paying roles.