Autonomous Vehicle Engineer.
Boise.
$160,000
median salary, 6% below the national average
$122,000 to $198,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what Autonomous Vehicle Engineers actually make in Boise: $122,000 at the 25th percentile, $160,000 at the median, and $198,000 at the 75th. That is 6% below the national average. Boise has emerged as one of the fastest growing tech cities in the Mountain West, driven by Micron Technology, HP, and a wave of startup relocations. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $144,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$104,000
to $128,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$136,000
to $168,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$176,000
to $208,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$200,000
to $248,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $47,000 to the total package.
Base
$160,000
Equity
$27,000
Bonus
$17,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $207,000
Autonomous Vehicle Engineer salary by company
Total compensation estimates include base, equity, bonus, and signing. Ranges reflect mid to senior level. Derived from public H-1B LCA filings, SEC proxy statements, and aggregated self-reported data.
How Boise compares
Boise, ID
$160,000
Cost of living: 5% below average
National Average
$170,000
Boise is $10,000 below
Autonomous Vehicle Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Boise
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Autonomous Vehicle Engineer offer in Boise, understand the terrain. Boise has emerged as one of the fastest growing tech cities in the Mountain West, driven by Micron Technology, HP, and a wave of startup relocations. The city's quality of life and affordability have attracted significant in-migration from California and Washington. Tech salaries are rising fast as demand outpaces local talent supply. Compensation scales with expertise in sensor fusion, path planning, and functional safety standards like ISO 26262. Engineers with experience shipping L3+ autonomy systems are exceptionally rare and command top dollar. Proficiency in simulation environments and real-world testing frameworks also drives premiums.
Entry-level AV engineers start at $115,000 to $135,000. Mid-level engineers working on perception or planning stacks reach $155,000 to $185,000. Senior AV engineers earn $190,000 to $240,000, while staff-level engineers at companies like Waymo or Cruise can exceed $350,000 in total compensation. In Boise, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. AV companies offer substantial equity packages, often adding $50,000 to $150,000 annually at well-funded startups. Signing bonuses of $25,000 to $50,000 are common for experienced hires. Relocation packages to AV hubs like Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Phoenix are standard. And on the tax side: idaho has a flat 5.8% state income tax. Boise has no city income tax. While higher than neighboring states, the rate is offset by affordable housing and low overall cost of living. When someone quotes you $160,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Reference Bay Area and Seattle talent competition. Boise employers increasingly match 80 to 90% of coastal salaries for in demand tech roles. The range for Autonomous Vehicle Engineers in Boise runs from $122,000 to $198,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Robotics AI Engineer in Boise earns $161,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Boise is Distinguished Engineer at $317,000
Common questions.
Autonomous Vehicle Engineer salary in other cities
Other salaries in Boise
Related
Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
Want this data on your site? Embed the salary widget — one script tag, free forever.