Average RN Salary in Hawaii: See How Much HI Nurses Make

If you are looking for a top nursing salary, registered nurse (RN) salaries in Hawaii are some of the highest in the country. However, the cost of living is also significantly more than on the mainland.

This guide explores typical RN salaries in Hawaii, where in Hawaii you can earn the most, and other information you need to know to negotiate a higher RN income.

Source: BLS, Projections Central

Average RN Salaries in Hawaii

Hawaii is the second-highest paying state in the country for RNs, with a median annual salary of $106,530 and an hourly salary of $53.40. Even the lowest-paid 10% of RN salaries in Hawaii are almost the median salary of all nurses in the U.S. ($77,600), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Almost three-quarters of RN salaries in Hawaii are over six figures.

However, Hawaii is also one of the most expensive states to live in, and almost every necessity is considerably more expensive in Hawaii than in other states. Be sure to consider the cost of living when you negotiate your compensation.

Hawaii RN Salary Range

Percentile	Average Annual RN Salary	Average Hourly RN Salary
10%	$75,380	$36.24
25%	$94,100	$45.24
50% (Median)	$111,070	$53.40
75%	$126,800	$60.96
90%	$129,670	$62.34

Source: BLS

Hawaii RN Salary, Adjusted for Cost of Living

In the U.S., “moving to Hawaii” is synonymous with “living the good life.” However, Hawaii is the most expensive state to live in, due to both Hawaii’s popularity and geographical location.

Because Hawaii is a remote island — San Francisco is the nearest big city 2,300 miles away — almost everything has to be shipped in. This means that both necessities and luxuries cost more. Energy and utilities hit some of the highest prices in the country. Due to demand and limited housing, the median home costs $716,200, compared to the national median of $430,621, according to Redfin.

Still, adjusted for cost of living, the average RN salary in Hawaii is the fourth highest in the country.

Highest-Paying Cities for RNs in Hawaii

Hawaii has only two major metropolitan areas: Honolulu and the Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina area. Located in Oahu, Honolulu is the capital city, known for its beaches and modern skyscrapers. It is home to most businesses and other organizations, including hospitals and healthcare systems.

The Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina area is on Maui. Lahaina hosts some of the most expensive real estate in Hawaii. Both areas offer a wide variety of entertainment and cultural activities, as well as the outdoor recreation opportunities that make Hawaii so famous.

Highest-Paying Cities for RNs in Hawaii

City	Average RN Salary
Urban Honolulu, HI	$107,680
Kahului — Wailuku — Lahaina, HI	$107,600

Source: BLS

Average Salaries for Other Nursing Roles in Hawaii

Even though RN salaries in Hawaii are high, RNs may want to pursue a graduate degree and earn an even higher salary to help balance the cost of living. The top-paying nursing job, nurse anesthetist, requires a doctor of nursing practice (DNP), but pays twice as much as the average RN salary in Hawaii. Nurse practitioners also earn significantly more than RNs.

Methodology and Sources

Registered nursing salary data by state is collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, released on March 31, 2022. Data reflects RN salaries as of May 2021. The highest-paying cities and states for RNs are ranked by average annual salary.

Cost-of-living data is collected from the U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis real personal income for states and metropolitan areas, released on December 14, 2021. RN salary adjusted for cost of living is calculated by multiplying each state’s RN salary by its regional price parity (RPP). RPP measures differences in the cost of goods and services in a region compared to national prices.

Projected employment growth data by state is collected from Projections Central.

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