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Chemical Technicians Salary in Idaho: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Chemical Technicians salary really buy you in Idaho?

Idaho is 8.2% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$54,560
Median annual (2025)
+8.9%
Real Purchasing Power
$59,433
COL-adjusted (RPP=91.8)

Idaho Cost of Living Index

Idaho's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.8, meaning prices are 8.2% lower the national average. A Chemical Technicians earning $54,560 in Idaho has the equivalent purchasing power of $59,433 in an average-cost US state.

ID: 91.8
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Idaho's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $36,040 $39,259 +$3,219
25th Percentile (P25) $43,670 $47,570 +$3,900
Median (P50) $54,560 $59,433 +$4,873
75th Percentile (P75) $63,790 $69,488 +$5,698
90th Percentile (P90) $77,080 $83,965 +$6,885
Key Insight

A Chemical Technicians in Idaho earns $54,560 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $59,433 in an average-cost state. This makes Idaho one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Idaho Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 91.8

Idaho's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.8 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.2% less than the national average. For a Chemical Technicians, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+8.9%

After applying Idaho's RPP, the $54,560 median salary translates to $59,434 in real terms — a 8.9% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Chemical Technicians.

Below-Median Adjusted Pay

#33 / 51

Idaho's rank of #33 of 51 states means real purchasing power for Chemical Technicians trails the national half-way line.

Best States for Chemical Technicians (After Cost of Living)

Where does Chemical Technicians salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$94,757
RPP 90.6
$80,224
RPP 98.0
$80,149
RPP 93.6
4. Alaska
$77,823
RPP 102.0
$75,246
RPP 91.1
$69,755
RPP 89.8
7. Kansas
$68,400
RPP 90.0
$68,042
RPP 89.4
$67,590
RPP 88.8
10. Alabama
$66,230
RPP 87.8

Idaho ranks #33 out of 51 states for Chemical Technicians after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Chemical Technicians take-home pay in Idaho after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Chemical Technicians in Idaho after cost of living?

A Chemical Technicians in Idaho earns a median salary of $54,560 per year. After adjusting for Idaho's cost of living (RPP=91.8), the real purchasing power is $59,433 — a +8.9% difference.

Is Idaho expensive to live in?

Idaho's cost of living is 8.2% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Idaho is 91.8 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Chemical Technicians in Idaho: $54,560 x (100 / 91.8) = $59,433. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Chemical Technicians in Idaho financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Chemical Technicians in Idaho enjoys 8.9% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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