.NET Developer Salary in Boise: $80,000-$140,000 (2026)

Boise’s cost of living index sits slightly below the national average (about 98), but housing has become the dominant factor compressing purchasing power for local . NET developers.

Typical one-bedroom rents in central Boise range from $1,200–$1,700 per month depending on neighborhood; family-sized homes suitable for mid/senior devs often cost $350,000–$500,000 to buy in desirable suburbs, pushing mortgage payments higher than the COL index alone suggests. Commute costs are modest compared with larger metro areas — average commute times are 15–25 minutes and fuel or public transit expenses are lower — which helps offset some housing pressure.

For a mid-level . NET developer making roughly $100k, discretionary income is reasonable if living in outer neighborhoods or nearby suburbs (Meridian, Nampa) but tight if renting in Boise’s core neighborhoods.

Developers should budget for higher-than-expected housing, factor in health insurance premiums (employer plans vary), and plan for seasonal cost differences (summer recreation can increase discretionary spending). Overall, Boise offers competitive take-home pay relative to local prices, but housing remains the main constraint on real purchasing power.

Salaries for . NET developers in Boise reflect a blend of strong local employers, sector mix, and growing but not overheated tech hiring.

Micron’s presence drives demand for systems integration, back-end services, and manufacturing IT; St. Luke’s and other healthcare providers need .

NET developers for EHR integrations and internal apps. Financial institutions such as Idaho Central Credit Union and regional banks hire .

NET engineers for transactional systems and risk tooling. Local SaaS startups and regional IT consultancies create steady demand for mid-level talent; however, Boise’s overall market is smaller than major coastal tech hubs, which caps top-end salary pressure.

The rise of remote work has a dual effect: it broadens employer pools (bringing some higher remote wages to local candidates) but also increases applicant competition because Boise companies now compete with national employers for the same talent. Economic trends—continued semiconductor investment and healthcare IT modernization—support a moderate hiring outlook.

Consequently, salaries are competitive versus the regional Midwest/Pacific Northwest but remain below large metropolitan tech centers.

Relative to nearby cities, Boise offers a middle ground. Spokane typically pays lower (around $95k for .

NET roles) and has a lower COL (~92), making relocation a cost-saving move for developers prioritizing lower housing costs. Salt Lake City is a stronger salary market (~$110k) with a slightly higher COL (~103); it’s attractive for those seeking larger tech ecosystems and more senior role opportunities.

Portland pays higher salaries (~$115k) but the COL is substantially higher (~120), often negating the nominal salary advantage unless pursuing distinctly higher-paying roles. Commuting from Meridian or Nampa to Boise is common and can substantially reduce housing costs with a modest commute trade-off.

Remote work changes the calculus: many Boise . NET developers take remote roles for companies in higher-paying markets while keeping Boise’s lower everyday costs.

If top priority is salary growth and breadth of senior opportunities, consider relocation to SLC or Portland; if quality of life with manageable housing trade-offs is the goal, Boise or its suburbs remain strong options.

Typical progression for . NET developers in the Boise market follows entry → mid → senior over roughly a 8–12 year arc.

Entry-level (0–2 years) developers focus on building C#, ASP. NET Core, SQL Server, and unit testing fundamentals—expect salaries starting near $60k–$70k.

Reaching mid-level (3–7 years) usually requires ownership of modules, REST API design, cloud deployment experience (Azure is common in local shops), and teamwork skills; salaries commonly move into the $90k–$110k band. Senior developers (8+ years) lead architecture, mentor junior staff, and often hold DevOps/CI-CD expertise; top senior pay approaches $130k–$150k in select employers or with specialized skills (distributed systems, high-throughput financial systems).

Accelerators locally include contributing to cross-functional product teams, gaining Azure certifications, hands-on experience with microservices and containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), and exposure to regulated industries like healthcare or finance. Transitioning into technical lead, architect, or engineering manager roles typically yields step-changes in compensation, especially at larger local employers or remote-first national companies.

When negotiating for a . NET developer role in Boise, use localized comps and be specific about stack and impact.

Reasonable base ranges to target: entry $62k–$75k, mid $90k–$115k, senior $120k–$150k depending on employer and domain. Lead with demonstrable outcomes: reduced latency, feature velocity improvements, or direct revenue/ops cost savings.

Ask about total compensation beyond base—bonuses, equity (less common but possible at startups), and employer-paid benefits matter in Boise where housing is the main cost pressure. Negotiate for remote flexibility or hybrid schedules if higher cash comp isn’t available; this can open higher-paying remote roles while living in a lower-cost suburb.

Prioritize sign-on bonuses, relocation assistance (if applicable), compressed PTO policies, continuing education stipends, and clear paths to promotions tied to compensation increases. Culturally, Boise teams value collaborative fit and long-term stability—frame negotiations around mutual investment and local impact rather than aggressive salary demands to preserve relationships and prospects for future increases.