Hawaii Salaries 2025
Paradise living with America's highest costs
Median Household Income (#3 in USA)
Hawaii Salary Overview 2025
Hawaii presents a unique economic paradox: the state ranks third nationally in median household income ($84,900) yet offers among the lowest purchasing power due to its extreme cost of living—193 index, or 93% above the national average. Living in paradise comes with a steep price tag.
The economy centers on tourism (~20% of GDP), military presence (Pearl Harbor and numerous bases), healthcare, and construction. Limited land, import dependencies, and isolation create structural costs. A gallon of milk costs $7+, gas exceeds $5/gallon, and median home prices exceed $950,000 on Oahu.
Hawaii attracts workers seeking unparalleled natural beauty and outdoor lifestyle. Military families with COLA, remote workers with mainland salaries, and healthcare professionals fare best financially. For comprehensive salary data, see salary trends 2025.
Hawaii Salary Snapshot
| Metric | Hawaii | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $84,900 | $74,580 |
| Mean Household Income | $107,000 | $97,300 |
| Per Capita Income | $39,200 | $37,638 |
| Minimum Wage (2025) | $14.00/hr | $7.25/hr (federal) |
| Cost of Living Index | 193 (93% above avg) | 100 |
| Top Income Tax Rate | 11% | Varies |
Salaries by Hawaiian Island
Oahu (Honolulu) – Economic Center
Median Household Income: $88,000
Oahu hosts 70% of Hawaii's population. Economy combines tourism (Waikiki), military (Pearl Harbor), healthcare, and government. Software engineers $95,000-$140,000, nurses $85,000-$110,000, physicians $280,000-$450,000+. Median home $950,000, rent $2,800/month.
Maui – Tourism Paradise
Median Household Income: $80,000
Tourism-dependent economy. Resort management $60,000-$120,000. Housing extremely scarce—median home $1,100,000.
Big Island (Hawaii Island)
Median Household Income: $65,000
Most affordable option ($450,000 median home in Hilo). Healthcare, astronomy (Mauna Kea), agriculture. Fewer jobs but popular with remote workers.
Kauai – Garden Isle
Median Household Income: $78,000
Small population (~73,000) limits opportunities. Tourism, healthcare, government employment.
| Island | Median Income | Median Home | Key Industries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oahu | $88,000 | $950,000 | Military, Tourism, Healthcare |
| Maui | $80,000 | $1,100,000 | Tourism, Construction |
| Big Island | $65,000 | $450,000 | Healthcare, Astronomy |
| Kauai | $78,000 | $950,000 | Tourism, Healthcare |
Top Industries in Hawaii
Military & Defense
Largest employer. COLA supplements add $25,000-$40,000/year to military pay. Defense contractors $80,000-$150,000.
Healthcare
Premium wages due to shortages. Nurses $80,000-$115,000 (above mainland), physicians $280,000-$500,000+. Signing bonuses common.
Tourism & Hospitality
Resort management $60,000-$130,000. Most hospitality wages low relative to costs.
Construction
Chronic housing shortage drives demand. Skilled trades $60,000-$100,000+, managers $90,000-$150,000.
| Industry | Entry | Mid-Career | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Military (w/ COLA) | $55,000 | $85,000 | $130,000+ |
| Healthcare (Physicians) | $280,000 | $380,000 | $500,000+ |
| Nursing (RN) | $78,000 | $95,000 | $115,000+ |
| Construction | $50,000 | $75,000 | $100,000+ |
Hawaii Tax & Cost Analysis
State Income Tax
Hawaii's progressive tax reaches 11% on income above $200,000—among the nation's highest.
| Salary | HI Tax | CA Tax | TX Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | ~$7,000 | ~$7,100 | $0 |
| $150,000 | ~$11,500 | ~$12,500 | $0 |
| $200,000 | ~$17,500 | ~$18,200 | $0 |
Cost of Living Reality
| Expense | Hawaii | National | % Above |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing Index | 318 | 100 | +218% |
| Groceries | 155 | 100 | +55% |
| Utilities | 175 | 100 | +75% |
Purchasing Power
An $85,000 Hawaii salary equals approximately $44,000 in Dallas or $48,000 in Phoenix.
Highest Paying Jobs in Hawaii 2025
| Occupation | Average | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians/Surgeons | $330,000 | $500,000+ |
| Dentists | $200,000 | $320,000+ |
| Airline Pilots | $180,000 | $280,000+ |
| IT Directors | $150,000 | $195,000+ |
| Pharmacists | $135,000 | $160,000+ |
| Nurse Practitioners | $125,000 | $150,000+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I afford to live in Hawaii?
Depends on income source. Military with COLA: yes. Healthcare professionals: yes. Remote workers with $150K+ mainland salaries: yes. Local hospitality workers: very challenging without family support.
Which island is most affordable?
Big Island offers significantly lower housing ($450,000 vs $950,000 on Oahu). Trade-off: fewer jobs, more rural.
Is the lifestyle worth the cost?
Highly personal. Those valuing beaches, hiking, surfing year-round often accept financial trade-offs. Career-focused wealth builders usually find better options elsewhere.
How do locals afford Hawaii?
Multi-generational housing, multiple jobs, family land from decades ago, military service. Genuinely challenging for newcomers.