Electrical Engineer Salary in Hawaii: $116,054 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Hawaii's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median electrical engineer pay sits at $116,054/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2071. Because Hawaii sits at BEA RPP 119.3 (19% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $97,279 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Honolulu ($153,132), Kaneohe ($143,006), Mililani Town ($142,749).
In 2026, the average median salary for electrical engineers in Hawaii is projected to be $116,054, which falls 7.2% below the national median salary of $125,033. The highest-paying city in the state is Honolulu, offering $158,721, while the lowest-paying area is Urban Honolulu at $109,309, creating a substantial salary gap of $49,412. This difference is largely driven by the concentration of advanced projects and industries in Honolulu, which demands higher expertise and specialization. Hawaii has specific licensing requirements for electrical engineers, which include obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license and adhering to unique scope of practice laws. These regulations ensure a standard level of professionalism and expertise in the field, influencing salary expectations. The local job market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 3.65%, indicating a steady demand for electrical engineers driven by infrastructure development, renewable energy projects, and advances in technology. Top cities for employment opportunities in 2026 include Kaneohe at $148,226, Mililani Town at $147,959, Kailua at $147,867, and East Honolulu at $146,223. This provides a range of options for engineers considering where to establish their careers in Hawaii.
Hawaii Electrical Engineer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Hawaii: $76,587 (lowest entry-level) to $246,018 (highest top earner)
Hawaii vs National Average
Hawaii electrical engineers earn 7.18% less than the national median ($-8,979/year difference).
Hawaii Electrical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)
Electrical Engineer salaries in Hawaii range from $78,720 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $164,869 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $116,054. The Hawaii median is $8,979 below the US national median of $125,033. The average hourly rate is $55.79/hr. Approximately 1,120 electrical engineers are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$90,807
2025 BLS Actual
$111,967
2026 Current Est.
$116,054
2019–2027 Growth
+32.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Hawaii (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,807 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,311 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,836 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,378 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,879 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,967 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,054 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $120,290 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hawaii metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 23.3% from $90,807 (2019) to $111,967 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $120,290 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,483 (32.47%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hawaii 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Hawaii
Lowest Paying Cities in Hawaii
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | $109,309 |
| Hilo | $141,548 |
| Kahului | $142,032 |
| Pearl City | $144,776 |
| Waipahu | $146,166 |
Best Value Cities for Electrical Engineers in Hawaii
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Hawaii cities offer the most purchasing power for electrical engineers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $158,721 | 119.3 | $133,044 |
| Kahului | $142,032 | 109.393 | $129,836 |
| Kaneohe | $148,226 | 119.3 | $124,246 |
| Mililani Town | $147,959 | 119.3 | $124,023 |
| Kailua | $147,867 | 119.3 | $123,946 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Hawaii
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $78,720 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $116,054 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $164,869 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Hawaii metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Hawaii
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honolulu | $158,721 |
| 2 | Kaneohe | $148,226 |
| 3 | Mililani Town | $147,959 |
| 4 | Kailua | $147,867 |
| 5 | East Honolulu | $146,223 |
| 6 | Waipahu | $146,166 |
| 7 | Pearl City | $144,776 |
| 8 | Kahului | $142,032 |
| 9 | Hilo | $141,548 |
| 10 | Urban Honolulu | $109,309 |
More Hawaii Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore electrical engineer hourly pay in Hawaii cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced electrical engineers.
Explore More Electrical Engineer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Hawaii in 2026?
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How does Hawaii electrical engineer pay compare to the national average?
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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
Statewide 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. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 electrical engineer compensation across Hawaii. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more electrical engineerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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