Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Food Scientists and Technologists salary really buy you in Idaho?
Idaho is 8.2% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Idaho's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.8, meaning prices are 8.2% lower the national average. A Food Scientists and Technologists earning $77,440 in Idaho has the equivalent purchasing power of $84,357 in an average-cost US state.
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) | $41,600 | $45,315 | +$3,715 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $47,840 | $52,113 | +$4,273 |
| Median (P50) | $77,440 | $84,357 | +$6,917 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $84,970 | $92,559 | +$7,589 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $117,340 | $127,821 | +$10,481 |
A Food Scientists and Technologists in Idaho earns $77,440 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $84,357 in an average-cost state. This makes Idaho one of the best value states for this occupation.
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 Food Scientists and Technologists, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.
After applying Idaho's RPP, the $77,440 median salary translates to $84,357 in real terms — a 8.9% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Food Scientists and Technologists.
Idaho's rank of #28 of 39 states means real purchasing power for Food Scientists and Technologists trails the national half-way line.
Where does Food Scientists and Technologists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Idaho ranks #28 out of 39 states for Food Scientists and Technologists after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Food Scientists and Technologists take-home pay in Idaho after taxes →
A Food Scientists and Technologists in Idaho earns a median salary of $77,440 per year. After adjusting for Idaho's cost of living (RPP=91.8), the real purchasing power is $84,357 — a +8.9% difference.
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).
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.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Food Scientists and Technologists in Idaho: $77,440 x (100 / 91.8) = $84,357. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Food Scientists and Technologists 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.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.