What does a Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary really buy you in Hawaii?
Hawaii is 10.8% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-04-06
Hawaii's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 110.8, meaning prices are 10.8% higher the national average. A Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers earning $105,850 in Hawaii has the equivalent purchasing power of $95,532 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) | $68,220 | $61,570 | $-6,649 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $72,360 | $65,306 | $-7,053 |
| Median (P50) | $105,850 | $95,532 | $-10,317 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $118,800 | $107,220 | $-11,579 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $145,600 | $131,407 | $-14,192 |
While $105,850 sounds high, Hawaii's elevated cost of living erases 10% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $95,532. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Where does Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Hawaii ranks #10 out of 49 states for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers after cost-of-living adjustment.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
How much do you actually take home? See Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers take-home pay in Hawaii after taxes →
A Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Hawaii earns a median salary of $105,850 per year. After adjusting for Hawaii's cost of living (RPP=110.8), the real purchasing power is $95,532 — 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 Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Hawaii: $105,850 x (100 / 110.8) = $95,532. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers's nominal salary of $105,850 in Hawaii has 9.7% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $95,532. However, Hawaii may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.