Childcare Workers Salary in Hawaii: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Childcare Workers salary really buy you in Hawaii?

Hawaii is 10.8% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary

$36,440

Median annual (2024)

→ -9.7%

Real Purchasing Power

$32,888

COL-adjusted (RPP=110.8)

Hawaii Cost of Living Index

Hawaii's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 110.8, meaning prices are 10.8% higher the national average. A Childcare Workers earning $36,440 in Hawaii has the equivalent purchasing power of $32,888 in an average-cost US state.

HI: 110.8

Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

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)	$30,070	$27,138	$-2,931
25th Percentile (P25)	$32,400	$29,241	$-3,158
Median (P50)	$36,440	$32,888	$-3,551
75th Percentile (P75)	$37,430	$33,781	$-3,648
90th Percentile (P90)	$42,220	$38,104	$-4,115

Key Insight

While $36,440 sounds high, Hawaii's elevated cost of living erases 10% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $32,888. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

Best States for Childcare Workers (After Cost of Living)

Where does Childcare Workers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. New Mexico

$37,626

RPP 91.0

2. Colorado

$37,546

RPP 102.3

3. Vermont

$37,418

RPP 101.1

4. Massachusetts

$35,914

RPP 109.4

5. Arizona

$35,175

RPP 99.9

6. Montana

$34,817

RPP 90.3

7. Maine

$34,444

RPP 100.8

8. Washington

$34,426

RPP 109.8

9. Minnesota

$34,401

RPP 97.7

10. Alaska

$34,294

RPP 102.0

Hawaii ranks #18 out of 50 states for Childcare Workers after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Childcare Workers in Hawaii after cost of living?

A Childcare Workers in Hawaii earns a median salary of $36,440 per year. After adjusting for Hawaii's cost of living (RPP=110.8), the real purchasing power is $32,888 — a -9.7% difference.

Is Hawaii expensive to live in?

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).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

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.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Childcare Workers in Hawaii: $36,440 x (100 / 110.8) = $32,888. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in Hawaii offset the salary?

Partially — a Childcare Workers's nominal salary of $36,440 in Hawaii has 9.7% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $32,888. However, Hawaii may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.