Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Hawaii: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary really buy you in Hawaii?

Hawaii is 10.8% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$113,940
Median annual (2025)
-9.7%
Real Purchasing Power
$102,833
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 Detectives and Criminal Investigators earning $113,940 in Hawaii has the equivalent purchasing power of $102,833 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) $92,520 $83,501 $-9,018
25th Percentile (P25) $106,870 $96,453 $-10,416
Median (P50) $113,940 $102,833 $-11,106
75th Percentile (P75) $140,750 $127,030 $-13,719
90th Percentile (P90) $165,030 $148,944 $-16,085
Key Insight

While $113,940 sounds high, Hawaii's elevated cost of living erases 10% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $102,833. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Hawaii Is a High-Cost State

RPP 110.8

Hawaii's RPP of 110.8 puts it 10.8% above the national baseline cost of living. A Detectives and Criminal Investigators needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

-9.7%

After applying Hawaii's RPP, the $113,940 median salary translates to $102,834 in real terms — a 9.7% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Detectives and Criminal Investigators.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#13 / 51

Hawaii sits at #13 of 51 states for Detectives and Criminal Investigators COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Detectives and Criminal Investigators (After Cost of Living)

Where does Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$137,873
RPP 116.6
$124,540
RPP 98.0
$120,695
RPP 105.0
4. Alaska
$112,686
RPP 102.0
$111,948
RPP 89.8
$110,968
RPP 112.5
$110,440
RPP 102.1
$106,893
RPP 108.8
$105,455
RPP 109.8
10. Vermont
$105,173
RPP 101.1

Hawaii ranks #13 out of 51 states for Detectives and Criminal Investigators after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Detectives and Criminal Investigators take-home pay in Hawaii after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Hawaii after cost of living?

A Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Hawaii earns a median salary of $113,940 per year. After adjusting for Hawaii's cost of living (RPP=110.8), the real purchasing power is $102,833 — 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 Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Hawaii: $113,940 x (100 / 110.8) = $102,833. 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 Detectives and Criminal Investigators's nominal salary of $113,940 in Hawaii has 9.7% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $102,833. However, Hawaii may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

What To Do Next

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Related Salary Pages

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy