Registered Nurses in Idaho. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Registered Nurses in Idaho earned a median annual wage of $86,100 in 2024, about 9% below the US median of $94,511. That gap is real, but it narrows once you account for what money buys in Idaho. The state's cost-of-living index sits at 95.1, meaning prices run roughly 5% below the national baseline. In purchasing terms, the Idaho median works out to closer to $90,500 in national-dollar equivalents, which cuts the headline difference to around 4%.
The spread between bottom and top earners is worth noting. The 10th-percentile wage was $65,690 in 2024; the 90th was $118,460. Top earners take home about 80% more than those just starting out or working in lower-paying settings. That range reflects how much experience, specialty, and facility type can move a nursing salary within a single state.
Idaho employed 14,540 Registered Nurses in 2024. BLS projects the occupation will grow 4.9% nationally between 2024 and 2034, which it classifies as average growth. The state does not have a separate published projection in this data set, so the national outlook is the closest reference point we have.
One thing the nominal wage gap does not capture: Idaho's lower cost of living means a dollar goes further on housing, groceries, and most services than it does in higher-wage states like California or Washington. For nurses weighing a move, the after-cost-of-living comparison matters as much as the headline number.
Salary distribution
Where Idaho registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $80,900 and $102,320, with a median of $92,460.
Registered Nurses in Idaho: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 13 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $74,464. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 3 | $61,526 |
| Level II — qualified | 2 | $74,495 |
| Level III — experienced | 7 | $78,000 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $82,722 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Registered Nurses in Idaho. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Healthcare Institute | Acute Care Registered Nurse (Educational Preceptor) | 11 | $74,630 |
| Idaho Falls Community Hospital | Operating Room Registered Nurse | 1 | $61,526 |
| St. Luke's Health System, Ltd. | Registered Nurse | 1 | $70,874 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Operating Room Registered Nurse at Idaho Falls Community Hospital$61,526Idaho FallsWage Level IDecided Mar 25, 2026I-201-26077-712641
- Psychiatric Registered Nurse (Educational Preceptor) at Idaho Healthcare Institute$85,280Idaho FallsWage Level IIIDecided Dec 19, 2025I-200-25346-478754
- Registered Nurse at St. Luke's Health System, Ltd.$70,874Mountain HomeWage Level IDecided Jul 3, 2025I-200-25177-132333
- Acute Care Registered Nurse (Educational Preceptor) at Idaho Healthcare Institute$74,630Idaho FallsWage Level IIDecided Nov 18, 2025I-200-25314-395394
- Operating Room Registered Nurse (Educational Preceptor) at Idaho Healthcare Institute$78,000Idaho FallsWage Level IIIDecided Jul 8, 2025I-200-25181-141490
- Operating Room Registered Nurse (Educational Preceptor) at Idaho Healthcare Institute$79,560Idaho FallsWage Level IIIDecided Jun 23, 2025I-200-25164-092485
- Dialysis Registered Nurse (Educational Preceptor) at Idaho Healthcare Institute$74,464Idaho FallsWage Level IIIDecided May 29, 2025I-200-25141-004287
- Operating Room Registered Nurse (Educational Preceptor) at Idaho Healthcare Institute$79,560Idaho FallsWage Level IIIDecided Apr 29, 2025I-200-25112-891780
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Registered Nurses pay by experience level in Idaho
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Registered Nurses specialties in Idaho
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 9 certified offers. The most common variant is Operating Room Registered Nurse (Educational Preceptor) at a median of $78,000.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating Room Registered Nurse (Educational Preceptor) | Idaho Healthcare Institute | 5 | $78,000 |
| Acute Care Registered Nurse (Educational Preceptor) | Idaho Healthcare Institute | 4 | $74,547 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Registered Nurses in Idaho, by industry
Median offered wage across 13 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Government and public sector leads with a median of $74,630.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government and public sector | Idaho Healthcare Institute | 11 | $74,630 |
| Healthcare | Idaho Falls Community Hospital | 2 | $66,200 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Idaho over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- 02
Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- 03
Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- 04
Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- 05
Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- 06
Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- 07
Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- 08
Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in Idaho?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in Idaho is $92,460.
- How does Idaho compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The Idaho median is -6.0% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in Idaho?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $71,210 and the 90th-percentile at $121,230, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Registered Nurses a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Registered Nurses?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.