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Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers Salary in Hawaii: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers 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
$104,830
Median annual (2025)
-9.7%
Real Purchasing Power
$94,611
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 Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers earning $104,830 in Hawaii has the equivalent purchasing power of $94,611 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) $50,230 $45,333 $-4,896
25th Percentile (P25) $73,550 $66,380 $-7,169
Median (P50) $104,830 $94,611 $-10,218
75th Percentile (P75) $115,380 $104,133 $-11,246
90th Percentile (P90) $119,660 $107,996 $-11,663
Key Insight

While $104,830 sounds high, Hawaii's elevated cost of living erases 10% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $94,611. 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 Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers 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 $104,830 median salary translates to $94,612 in real terms — a 9.7% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers.

Top-Quartile Adjusted Earnings in Hawaii

#1 / 49

Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers, Hawaii places #1 of 49 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.

Best States for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (After Cost of Living)

Where does Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Hawaii
$94,611
RPP 110.8
2. Alaska
$72,245
RPP 102.0
$69,007
RPP 108.8
4. Oregon
$68,977
RPP 106.6
$68,693
RPP 91.1
6. Ohio
$67,125
RPP 91.5
$66,602
RPP 109.8
8. Montana
$66,600
RPP 90.3
$64,972
RPP 92.3
$63,575
RPP 96.2

Hawaii ranks #1 out of 49 states for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers take-home pay in Hawaii after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers in Hawaii after cost of living?

A Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers in Hawaii earns a median salary of $104,830 per year. After adjusting for Hawaii's cost of living (RPP=110.8), the real purchasing power is $94,611 — 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 Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers in Hawaii: $104,830 x (100 / 110.8) = $94,611. 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 Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers's nominal salary of $104,830 in Hawaii has 9.7% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $94,611. However, Hawaii may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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