Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Art Directors salary really buy you in Hawaii?
Hawaii is 10.8% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Hawaii's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 110.8, meaning prices are 10.8% higher the national average. A Art Directors earning $89,300 in Hawaii has the equivalent purchasing power of $80,595 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Hawaii's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $48,920 | $44,151 | $-4,768 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $63,090 | $56,940 | $-6,149 |
| Median (P50) | $89,300 | $80,595 | $-8,704 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $108,780 | $98,176 | $-10,603 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $154,410 | $139,359 | $-15,050 |
While $89,300 sounds high, Hawaii's elevated cost of living erases 10% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $80,595. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Hawaii's RPP of 110.8 puts it 10.8% above the national baseline cost of living. A Art Directors needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying Hawaii's RPP, the $89,300 median salary translates to $80,596 in real terms — a 9.7% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Art Directors.
Hawaii ranks #39 of 46 — bottom quartile for Art Directors real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.
Where does Art Directors salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Hawaii ranks #39 out of 46 states for Art Directors after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Art Directors take-home pay in Hawaii after taxes →
A Art Directors in Hawaii earns a median salary of $89,300 per year. After adjusting for Hawaii's cost of living (RPP=110.8), the real purchasing power is $80,595 — a -9.7% difference.
Hawaii's cost of living is 10.8% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Hawaii is 110.8 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Art Directors in Hawaii: $89,300 x (100 / 110.8) = $80,595. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Art Directors's nominal salary of $89,300 in Hawaii has 9.7% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $80,595. However, Hawaii may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.