Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Kaneohe, HI: $97,392 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Kaneohe, HI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $97,392 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kaneohe's local price level (BEA RPP 119.3 — 19% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,636 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($148,226) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the electrical engineering field in Kaneohe, Hawaii, can expect an entry-level salary starting at approximately $97,392. This starting point is significantly below the city’s median salary of $148,226, creating a noticeable gap that early-career engineers should consider when planning their finances. Within a few years in the profession, these engineers can anticipate salary growth as they progress from the 10th percentile up towards the 25th percentile, which is estimated at $115,001. The Kaneohe market presently shows promising opportunities for fresh graduates, particularly with the annual growth rate projected at 3.65%, suggesting that the compensation landscape for electrical engineers could become increasingly favorable for those in the first 3-5 years of their careers.
About the Kaneohe Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kaneohe
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kaneohe
Entry-level electrical engineers in Kaneohe, HI typically start between $97,392 and $115,001 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $118,767 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $148,226 — 18.55% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Hawaii of $68,000 represents just 69.82% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($97,392/year) in Kaneohe. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover ABET-accredited undergraduate electrical engineering programs at public and private universities. Many electrical engineers pursue master's degrees or specialization in power, controls, or electronics.
EE Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Kaneohe
- 1Research the Kaneohe market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $97,392 to $115,001, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the electrical engineering field — employers in HI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Kaneohe, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Kaneohe for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Kaneohe's above-average cost of living (index: 119.3) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Electrical Engineer Compensation Range
The electrical engineer wage spread in Kaneohe is $118,767 ( 121.95%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $97,392, experienced hygienists can earn up to $216,159.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$77,354
2025 BLS Actual
$93,962
2026 Current Est.
$97,392
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Kaneohe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,354 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,625 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,544 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,374 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,087 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,708 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,962 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,392 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,946 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Kaneohe, HI grew 21.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $77,354 in 2019 to $93,962 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $100,946. New graduates entering the Kaneohe job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kaneohe metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.65% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your electrical engineering Career in Kaneohe
As new graduates embark on their careers in electrical engineering, it's beneficial to recognize the types of employers in Kaneohe that actively seek fresh talent. Leading semiconductor companies like Apple and Nvidia are known for recruiting highly skilled individuals, often targeting master's and PhD graduates, but they can also consider innovative new BSEE holders for specific roles, especially in chip design. Defense contractors, such as Lockheed and Northrop, often recruit entry-level engineers through internship pipelines, particularly for candidates with relevant security clearances, which consequently can elevate new grad electrical engineer pay in HI. To maximize their starting salary, graduates should focus on obtaining a Bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited program and consider taking the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam prior to graduation, yielding an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) credential. Furthermore, as professionals advance, continued education—such as earning a PE license and possibly pursuing a master's—can open doors to higher-paying positions in sectors like semiconductor design or even defense contracting, where pay can exceed typical utility or power systems roles that usually offer more stability but less immediate financial reward. Understanding these nuances, new electrical engineers can set realistic salary growth expectations in their first years and strategically navigate their career paths.
More salary data for Kaneohe, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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How fast do electrical engineer salaries grow in Kaneohe?
Is electrical engineering school worth it in Kaneohe?
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Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new electrical engineering graduates. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Kaneohe. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kaneohe is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.65%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov