Electrical Engineer Salary in Honolulu, HI: $158,721 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Honolulu, HI earns a median $158,721/year (≈ $76.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Honolulu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $133,044 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The electrical engineer salary in Honolulu, Hawaii, reflects the city's strong demand for professionals in high-tech sectors, especially focusing on semiconductor and chip design roles. With a 2026 median annual salary of $158,721, this figure significantly outpaces the national median of $125,033, establishing a 26.94% premium for the local market. Salary estimates range from $93,672 for those entering the field to as much as $246,018 for experienced engineers in senior roles, primarily influenced by the industry's technical specialization. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost factors, provide valuable insight into Honolulu's competitive landscape for electrical engineers.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,672 | $45.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $116,307 | $55.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $158,721 | $76.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $203,163 | $97.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $246,018 | $118.28 |
Median Salary Position
26.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Honolulu
In Honolulu, HI, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $152,346 (2026 est.). At $158,721, the local median is 26.94% above the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Honolulu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Honolulu Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Honolulu median: $158,721/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $149,174 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | +26.94% more |
Electrical Engineers in Honolulu, HI earn a median of $158,721 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.94% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 6.40% above the Hawaii state average of $149,174.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Honolulu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $158,721 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $133,044 — a 16.18% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$125,077
2025 BLS Actual
$153,132
2026 Current Est.
$158,721
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $125,077 | Actual |
| 2020 | $127,997 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,477 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,158 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,766 | Actual |
| 2024 | $142,177 | Actual |
| 2025 | $153,132 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $158,721 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $164,515 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Honolulu metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $125,077 (2019) to $153,132 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $164,515 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,438 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Honolulu 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $93,672 – $116,307 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $116,307 – $158,721 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $158,721 – $203,163 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $203,163 – $246,018 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Honolulu
In terms of job market dynamics, Honolulu employs around 68 electrical engineers, indicating a specialized but focused workforce. The cost of living index in the area stands at 119.3, which highlights the financial strains of higher expenses that can compress real purchasing power compared to other regions. Companies such as Apple, Intel, and Nvidia lead in compensation for electrical engineering roles, especially in chip design, while defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman offer salaries reflecting the need for security clearance. The spectrum of electrical engineer pay in Honolulu is influenced by various factors, such as industry niche, educational background, and whether professionals pursue management versus individual contributor tracks. Maximizing pay requires aligning skills with in-demand sectors and leveraging credentials like the PE license or security clearances to distinguish oneself in this competitive market.
More salary data for Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Honolulu, HI in 2026?
Is Honolulu, HI a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Can electrical engineers make $100K in Honolulu?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted electrical engineer salary in Honolulu?
How much does a electrical engineer make per hour in Honolulu?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $153,132 for electrical engineersin the Honolulu metropolitan area. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Honolulu 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