Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Environmental Engineers 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 Environmental Engineers earning $107,880 in Hawaii has the equivalent purchasing power of $97,364 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) | $76,180 | $68,754 | $-7,425 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $88,630 | $79,990 | $-8,639 |
| Median (P50) | $107,880 | $97,364 | $-10,515 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $125,150 | $112,951 | $-12,198 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $156,640 | $141,371 | $-15,268 |
While $107,880 sounds high, Hawaii's elevated cost of living erases 10% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $97,364. 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 Environmental Engineers needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying Hawaii's RPP, the $107,880 median salary translates to $97,365 in real terms — a 9.7% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Environmental Engineers.
Hawaii ranks #41 of 50 — bottom quartile for Environmental Engineers real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.
Where does Environmental Engineers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Hawaii ranks #41 out of 50 states for Environmental Engineers after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Environmental Engineers take-home pay in Hawaii after taxes →
A Environmental Engineers in Hawaii earns a median salary of $107,880 per year. After adjusting for Hawaii's cost of living (RPP=110.8), the real purchasing power is $97,364 — 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 Environmental Engineers in Hawaii: $107,880 x (100 / 110.8) = $97,364. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Environmental Engineers's nominal salary of $107,880 in Hawaii has 9.7% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $97,364. However, Hawaii may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.