Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians Salary
The median pay for a geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians in Idaho is $46,680/year ($22.44/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $41K at the entry level to $79K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.88), which stretches that salary to about $49,723 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,136/month, about 35.7% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Idaho. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $47K get you in Idaho?
About geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians
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What this looks like in Idaho
Pay for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians in Idaho runs about 13% below the U.S. median of $53K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,136/month, which is 36% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.88 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. That combination, below-market pay with high housing costs, makes this a financially demanding market for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicianss.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Idaho
Entry-level geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians (10th percentile) start around $41K. Mid-career wages sit at $47K. Top earners bring in $79K or more, a $39K spread from bottom to top.
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians salary by metro in Idaho
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City | $61K | +30% | N/A |
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Track geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Idaho numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a geological technicians, except hydrologic technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Idaho?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $47K, rent takes 36% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,136/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $900/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians in Idaho?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians typically earn — is $41K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,454/month. At HUD’s $1,136/month FMR, rent would take 46% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is geological technicians, except hydrologic technician a high-paying job in Idaho?
Local pay runs 13% below the national median — $47K here vs. $53K nationally. Cost of living is 6% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Idaho compare to the national average for geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians?
Idaho pays $47K median vs. the U.S. average of $53K — that’s -13%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $50K — below the national median.
How much do geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians make in Idaho?
The median is $46,680 a year, that works out to about $22 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,900, and experienced geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians can clear $79,470. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $47K enough to live in Idaho?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,158/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,136/month, which eats 36% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians salary go in Idaho?
Idaho has a Regional Price Parity of 93.88 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians salary is worth about $49,723 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.