A city's top employers define its expertise. These firms represent the pinnacle of the city's achievements and identify its primary job sectors. If a company called Worthington Water Pumps appears on the list, it's a safe bet that the city is more blue collar than white collar, is near a source of water like a river or ocean, and has easy access to road or rail transportation. That's why we feel that if you're planning to make a move to Boise, Idaho, you should make an effort to find out who their biggest employers are. You never know, you might end up applying for a job with one of them.

Micron Technology, Inc

Employing 9,500 local computer technicians, engineers, and production specialists, Micron Technology Inc. establishes Boise as a hub for high technology. Their microchips and computer memory products utilize designed metal connections and semiconductors, which in turn opens up opportunity for other firms who might specialize in supplying such things.

St. Luke's Medical Center

As evidenced by the popularity of health foods, organic baby bedding, and other natural products, people care about their health. Therefore it's no surprise that Boise's major hospital complex is able to employ over 4,250 doctors, nurses, technicians, medical assistants, and other support personnel.

Hewlett-Packard Company

With an Alberta franchise on the way and thousands of other factories, offices, and retail outlets all over North America, Hewlett-Packard is one of the nation's largest suppliers of computers and computer peripherals. Their Boise operation isn't the headquarters, but is does manage to provide jobs to about 4,000 people.

Albertson's, Inc.

For those who are unfamiliar with the Albertson's name, the Albertson company owns and operates over 500 grocery stores throughout the western and central United States. Joined with the Supervalu brand, it is number five on the list of top American food retailers, which has garnered it quite a bit of food publicity. Founded in Boise, the company still has its headquarters there, in an office which employs 3,800 people.

J.R. Simplot

The J.R. Simplot Company produces a variety of products related to agriculture, from fertilizer to frozen French fries. You may never have heard of it, but it is one of the largest privately owned companies in the world. Founded in the tiny town of Delco, Idaho, its company headquarters in Boise employs 3,800 people, most of them office workers, though the company does make use of laborers, engineers, chemists, biologists, and lawyers.