I spent 6 glorious years in the Panhandle about a half hour from St. Maries, ID. That was in the early and mid ‘70’s, though. Couer D’Alene to Sandpoint would be an area that might support your employment needs.
The jobs are in Spokane. Read the Coeur d'Alene Sunday newspaper for an idea of the job "prosperity" there. It's a commute to Spokane on icy snowy roads in the wintertime.