USIdaho salary guideStatewide BLS data
Updated for 2026

Fuel Cell Engineer Salary in Idaho (2026)

The Fuel Cell Engineer salary in Idaho for 2026 is shown as a modeled statewide benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. Each section helps readers understand where this career pays best across the state and how the projected benchmark compares with metro markets.

Official BLS baseline: 2024Modeled statewide salary guide970 employment estimate12 min read
Average Salary
$118K
state median
Entry Level
$72.6K
starting range
Senior Level
$155K
upper band
Top Range
$137K
90th percentile
Hourly Rate
$50
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline·   Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
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Fuel Cell Engineer Salary Overview in Idaho

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Fuel Cell Engineer pay in Idaho at about $117,574 per year. On the latest official statewide BLS baseline, the range runs from about $63,980.0 at the lower end to $136,590 for top earners.

This guide covers the full statewide Fuel Cell Engineer salary picture first, then compares metro markets inside Idaho where BLS data is available — making it useful for candidates who want a broader view beyond any single city.

Idaho Fuel Cell Engineer Salary vs the U.S. Average

The statewide median for Fuel Cell Engineer roles in Idaho is $117,574, compared with a U.S. median of $102,320. That gap of +15% helps readers see whether this state sits in a premium salary market, a near-national market, or a lower-cost salary market relative to the rest of the country.

BenchmarkIdahoUnited StatesDifference
Projected annual salary$117,574$102,320+15% vs U.S.
Entry-level benchmark$92,122.0$77,921.0+18% vs U.S.
Senior-level benchmark$154,924$147,790+5% vs U.S.
Top baseline wage range$136,590$161,240-15% vs U.S.
Projected hourly equivalent$50$49970 state jobs
How to read the state premium Boise City, ID is currently the strongest-paying metro in this state, which helps explain how local employer concentration pushes the state average. Information is the strongest-paying industry benchmark currently available.

Fuel Cell Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Idaho

Statewide experience bands help show how much of the salary story comes from growing responsibility, not location alone. Even inside one state, the distance between entry-level and senior pay can be wide enough to change how attractive the long-term path looks.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$92.1K
$57/hr median equivalent
$72.6K - $118K
Lower percentile wages modeled into early-career pay.
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$118K
$57/hr median equivalent
$92.1K - $155K
Independent delivery and broader scope become the norm.
Senior
6-10 years
$155K
$57/hr median equivalent
$118K - $155K
Higher salaries usually reflect stronger ownership and specialization.
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$155K
$57/hr median equivalent
$155K - $189K
Leadership pay reflects broader responsibility and top-end wage ranges.
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeVs U.S.
Entry-Level Fuel Cell Engineer0-2 years$92,122.0$72,568.0 - $117,574-10% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Fuel Cell Engineer3-5 years$117,574$92,122.0 - $154,924+15% vs U.S.
Senior Fuel Cell Engineer6-10 years$154,924$117,574 - $154,924+51% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Fuel Cell Engineer10+ years$154,924$154,924 - $189,008+51% vs U.S.
State experience modelThese experience bands are modeled from local wage percentiles because BLS publishes wage distributions, not direct entry, mid, senior, or lead labels.
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Fuel Cell Engineer Salary by City in Idaho

City-level differences inside Idaho can be large. Stronger salary metro areas often combine dense employers, specialized industries, and stronger competition for experienced Fuel Cell Engineer talent.

City / MetroProjected SalaryProjected RangeVs StateMarket Signal
Boise City, ID$99,450.0$61,550.0 - $135,190-15% vs U.S.Value market
Idaho Falls, ID$98,850.0$63,980.0 - $151,700-16% vs U.S.Value market
Lewiston, ID$92,490.0$65,940.0 - $125,580-21% vs U.S.Value market
Coeur D'alene, ID$88,970.0$73,210.0 - $134,850-24% vs U.S.Value market
Twin Falls, ID$103,800$58,340.0 - $128,170-12% vs U.S.Value market
Coeur D'alene, ID$93,710.0$63,010.0 - $128,020-20% vs U.S.Value market
Pocatello, ID$90,640.0$64,720.0 - $120,060-23% vs U.S.Value market
Boise City, ID$82,790.0$60,940.0 - $111,830-30% vs U.S.Value market

Fuel Cell Engineer Salary by Industry in Idaho

Industry mix is one of the strongest drivers behind pay differences inside a state. Stronger salary industry rows usually reflect employers that place the role closer to revenue, specialized operations, or hard-to-source talent.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Information$165,190$87,590.0 - N/AStronger salary
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction$134,450$80,950.0 - N/AStronger salary
Utilities$130,420$82,790.0 - $180,020Stronger salary
Finance and Insurance$127,170$77,930.0 - $168,910Competitive
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$116,830$79,830.0 - $156,310Competitive
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$114,630$76,950.0 - $155,960Competitive
Health Care and Social Assistance$113,180$64,440.0 - $134,970Competitive
Management of Companies and Enterprises$108,040$81,180.0 - $163,920Competitive

Entry-Level Fuel Cell Engineer Salary in Idaho

Entry-level pay in Idaho for fuel cell engineer usually starts near the lower statewide wage band, then rises as candidates move from supervised work into independent delivery. The first major salary jump often comes from handling broader scope, changing employers, or moving into stronger local metro markets.

Starting benchmark
$92.1K
$72.6K - $118K
Typical early-career compensation in this state, modeled from the lower end of the local wage distribution.
Promotion target
$118K
+27.6% vs entry median
The move into reliable independent delivery is usually the first real comp inflection point.
Preparation pathJob Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. Training signal: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
StageTypical SalaryTimelineKey Signal
Intern / trainee$61.7K - $79.8KPre-full-timeFoundational proof
Entry-level$92,122.00-2 yearsStructured support and learning
Promotion-ready junior$99.5K - $112K12-24 monthsIndependent delivery
Mid-level target$117,57418-30 monthsBroader ownership
Entry estimateEntry-level Fuel Cell Engineer pay in Idaho is modeled around $92,122.0using the lower state wage percentiles.
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Public vs Private-Sector Pay in Idaho

The state salary dataset here does not label every wage row by public or private ownership, so this section models the comparison from statewide salary levels and the industry spread visible in the data. It is best read as pay guidance, not as a direct government-vs-private wage census.

Employer TypeEstimated SalaryBest MatchHow It Is Modeled
Public / institutional style$130,420UtilitiesAnchored to lower-variance industry rows and the statewide baseline
Private-market baseline$117,574Idaho commercial employersUses the core statewide median as the middle market
Top private-sector path$165,190InformationAnchored to the strongest visible industry pay rows
Interpretation notePrivate-sector upside is usually strongest where Fuel Cell Engineer work is closer to revenue, specialized operations, or employer competition. Institutional paths often trade some upside for steadier pay bands and clearer progression.

Remote vs Onsite Fuel Cell Engineer Pay in Idaho

Remote and hybrid work can change the salary story for a state page because the employer market may be broader than the worker’s home location. Where direct remote comp data is available, it is shown below; otherwise the fallback rows use the local salary benchmark as the base case.

Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$117,574Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$121,101Metro dependentIdaho employersMedium
Onsite$118,750Location dependentLocal teams and officesLower

The best remote comparison is total pay after commute, housing pressure, and access to stronger employer markets. A lower-cost metro paired with national hiring access can outperform a higher nominal local salary.

Cost of Living for Fuel Cell Engineer Salary in Idaho

A state salary should be read alongside rent, taxes, commuting, and the mix of high-cost and lower-cost metro areas inside the state. The same Fuel Cell Engineer salary can feel very different across Idaho.

MarketProjected SalaryMonthlyVs StateModeled Cost Signal
Boise City, ID$99,450.0$8.3K-15% vs U.S.Lower-cost signal
Idaho Falls, ID$98,850.0$8.2K-16% vs U.S.Lower-cost signal
Lewiston, ID$92,490.0$7.7K-21% vs U.S.Lower-cost signal
Coeur D'alene, ID$88,970.0$7.4K-24% vs U.S.Lower-cost signal
Twin Falls, ID$103,800$8.7K-12% vs U.S.Lower-cost signal
Coeur D'alene, ID$93,710.0$7.8K-20% vs U.S.Lower-cost signal
Purchasing-power reminder Boise City, ID sets the top in-state pay benchmark, while Idaho Falls, ID shows how lower salary markets may come with a lighter local cost burden.

Leading Salary Cities in Idaho

Statewide averages flatten the most important local differences. This ranking brings those differences back into view by showing which cities and metros inside Idaho create the strongest salary benchmarks for this role.

City / MetroProjected SalaryProjected RangeVs State
Boise City, ID$99,450.0$61,550.0 - $135,190-15% vs U.S.
Idaho Falls, ID$98,850.0$63,980.0 - $151,700-16% vs U.S.
Lewiston, ID$92,490.0$65,940.0 - $125,580-21% vs U.S.
Coeur D'alene, ID$88,970.0$73,210.0 - $134,850-24% vs U.S.
Twin Falls, ID$103,800$58,340.0 - $128,170-12% vs U.S.
Coeur D'alene, ID$93,710.0$63,010.0 - $128,020-20% vs U.S.
Pocatello, ID$90,640.0$64,720.0 - $120,060-23% vs U.S.
Boise City, ID$82,790.0$60,940.0 - $111,830-30% vs U.S.
Idaho Falls, ID$77,420.0$61,870.0 - $128,930-34% vs U.S.
Idaho Falls, ID$93,410.0$61,260.0 - $165,020-21% vs U.S.

Fuel Cell Engineer Demand Outlook in Idaho

Career growth inside Idaho is best read through two lenses: the local salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The salary ladder shows how compensation expands with responsibility, while the outlook data shows whether employers are likely to keep competing for talent.

1
Intern / Trainee
$59.3K - $79.8K
Salary growth at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and more independent impact.
2
Junior
$73.7K - $97.2K
Salary growth at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and more independent impact.
3
Mid Level
$92.1K - $115K
Salary growth at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and more independent impact.
4
Senior
$111K - $143K
Salary growth at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and more independent impact.
5
Lead
$131K - $166K
Salary growth at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and more independent impact.
6
Principal / Architect
$154K - $210K
Salary growth at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and more independent impact.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by 9.1% from 2024 to 2034.
Much faster than averageAnnual openings: 18.1 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment293.1k → 319.6k
Typical educationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related experienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
State market anchor970 jobs with a median of $117,574

Factors That Affect Fuel Cell Engineer Salary in Idaho

State salary is shaped by more than the job title. Metro concentration, local industry strength, training expectations, and the size of the in-state employer market all influence where pay ultimately settles.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.
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How to Increase Your Fuel Cell Engineer Salary in Idaho

Salary growth tends to come fastest when candidates combine stronger proof of impact, better-paying market selection, and negotiation with current state and U.S. benchmarks in hand.

MoveWhy It HelpsTimelineAvg. Salary Impact
Benchmark against stronger marketsCompare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.1-3 months+15-30%
Build a visible specializationPrioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.3-9 months$14.1K - $32.9K
Target higher-paying industriesUse industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.2-6 months$9.4K - $21.2K
Fastest practical liftThe quickest salary gains often come from combining stronger proof, a better-paying metro or industry target, and a well-benchmarked negotiation conversation.

Fuel Cell Engineer Salary in Idaho: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the statewide benchmark with city differences, experience bands, and demand signals. They are here to clear up the parts of the salary picture that still feel uncertain after the main sections.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Fuel Cell Engineer" compare statewide salary levels, metro differences, and career progression across the state.

What is the average Fuel Cell Engineer in Idahos salary?
The latest national baseline for Fuel Cell Engineers is about $102,300 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Fuel Cell Engineer in Idahos salary?
Entry-level estimates for Fuel Cell Engineers are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $68,700 per year nationally.
How much can senior Fuel Cell Engineer in Idahos professionals earn?
Senior Fuel Cell Engineers estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $130,300 per year nationally.
Does location affect Fuel Cell Engineer in Idahos salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Fuel Cell Engineer in Idahos salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
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Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Career: medium · City: official · Compare: medium · Country: official
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