Payroll Specialist salary and cost of hiring in Idaho
The median payroll specialist in Idaho earned $51,790 a year in May 2025[1], 11.1% below the US median of $58,260. That puts Idaho at #42 of 51 states for this job.
BLS occupation 43-3051. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Salary range
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | $41,440 | $51,790 | $70,390 | |
| United States | $39,500 | $58,260 | $81,350 |
The middle half of payroll specialists in Idaho earns $46,900–$63,240; the top tenth earns $70,390 or more, 1.7 times the bottom tenth.
What a hire really costs
Benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2]. At the Idaho median that makes about $73,986 a year before recruiting, equipment and office space. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for payroll specialists we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Pay by metro area in Idaho
| Area | Median | 75th percentile | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $65,550 | 80 | |
| Boise City, ID | $64,900 | 390 | |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $60,940 | 60 | |
| Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area | $58,840 | 90 | |
| Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area | $59,800 | 50 | |
| Twin Falls, ID | $59,290 | 60 |
Coeur d'Alene, ID pays the most ($62,370) and Twin Falls, ID the least ($46,340): $16,030 a year apart for the same job.
What a payroll specialist does
A payroll specialist prepares payroll runs, checks hours and deductions, keeps employee pay records and answers staff questions about their pay.
Neighbours in the ranking
Questions
How much does a payroll specialist earn in Idaho?
The median was $51,790 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey; the middle half earned $46,900 to $63,240.
What does it cost to employ a payroll specialist in Idaho?
About $73,986 a year at the median wage once benefits are added, using the 30% benefits share of US private industry (June 2026).
Where in Idaho do payroll specialists earn the most?
Coeur d'Alene, ID, with a median of $62,370 a year.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 43-3051: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes433051.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-05.