How to become a state trooper in Idaho
The Idaho State Police hires state troopers under the title Trooper. New state troopers start at $62,546 a year, rising to $70,054 after about 9 years. You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | $62,546 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $70,054 |
| Years to top | 9 |
| Scale effective | 2025 |
ISP 'Current Pay Scale - 2025' (hourly): $30.07/hr for 0-2.9 years of service, $31.25/hr for 3-5.9 years, $32.40/hr for 6-8.9 years, $33.68/hr at 9+ years (annual = hourly x 2080). Total wages also depend on incentive pay, CHOICE and education; increases are subject to budget availability and approval. Recruits are paid from the hire date, including during the academy; no separate recruit rate is published.
Source:[isp.idaho.gov]
Pay for this work across Idaho
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Idaho, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 2,810 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $48,840 |
| Median pay | $66,990 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $97,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: Graduate of an accredited high school or GED equivalent
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen
- Minimum age 21 (the page does not say whether at application or appointment)
- Valid driver's license from state of residence and eligible for an Idaho driver's license
- Fingerprint clearance through the ISP Bureau of Criminal Identification and the FBI; a conviction or withheld judgment may be grounds for rejection
- Must comply with the ISP drug policy requirements
- Must meet all Idaho POST requirements
Source:[isp.idaho.gov]
Hiring process
- Application and online testing (before the posted closing date)
- Physical fitness evaluation (vertical jump, 1-minute sit-ups, push-ups, 300-meter run, 1.5-mile run/walk)
- Oral exam and command staff one-on-one interview
- Conditional offer
- Background investigation (personal history statement)
- Polygraph
- Medical examination
- Psychological examination
- Final offer
Source:[isp.idaho.gov]
Academy
22 weeks, paid. Advanced Training Class (ATC) in Meridian. Recruits are paid employees throughout the academy, and lodging and meals are provided; the academy provides Idaho POST certification (July 9, 2026 recruiting release for the January academy).[isp.idaho.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) Base Plan, police/firefighter member class
- Benefit formula: 2.3% (police/firefighters) of the average monthly salary for the highest consecutive 42 months, per year of service
- When you can retire: Unreduced at service retirement age 60 for police/firefighters, or under the Rule of 80 (age + service = 80) with minimum retirement age 50; reduced early retirement otherwise. 5-year vesting.
ISP's wages page confirms troopers join the PERSI Base Plan (5-year vesting). Formula from the PERSI FY2024 ACFR; age rules from the PERSI Early Retirement brochure.
Source:[persi.idaho.gov]