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What is considered a high salary in Hawaii?

Published in Hawaii Salary 2 mins read

A salary of $84,000 annually is considered high for top earners in Hawaii, reflecting a significant income that places individuals among the highest earners in the state.

Understanding High Salaries in Hawaii

In Hawaii, what constitutes a "high salary" can be contextualized by examining various income percentiles. While the average salary provides a general benchmark, looking at the top percentiles offers a clearer picture of high-income brackets.

Here's a breakdown of salaries in Hawaii by percentile:

Category Annual Salary Monthly Pay
Top Earners $84,000 $7,000
75th Percentile $66,877 $5,573
Average $52,828 $4,402
25th Percentile $38,780 $3,231

As shown, those earning $84,000 per year are categorized as "Top Earners," indicating this threshold represents a high salary in the region. Even incomes at the 75th percentile, around $66,877 annually, are well above the state's average salary, suggesting a comfortable living standard.

Factors Influencing High Salaries

Several factors contribute to what is considered a high salary in Hawaii:

  • Cost of Living: Hawaii has one of the highest costs of living in the United States, particularly for housing. This naturally pushes salary expectations higher to maintain a comparable quality of life.
  • Specialized Industries: Industries like tourism, defense, healthcare, and technology often offer higher-paying roles, especially for specialized skills or managerial positions.
  • Experience and Education: As with any job market, advanced degrees, extensive experience, and niche expertise can command significantly higher salaries.

While $84,000 is a benchmark for top earners, individual circumstances, industry, and specific job roles can influence what is perceived as a high income. For more detailed salary insights across various professions in the state, you can refer to resources like ZipRecruiter's Hawaii salary guide.