Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary in Hawaii: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Fast Food and Counter 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

$30,860

Median annual (2024)

→ -9.7%

Real Purchasing Power

$27,851

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 Fast Food and Counter Workers earning $30,860 in Hawaii has the equivalent purchasing power of $27,851 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)	$29,120	$26,281	$-2,838
25th Percentile (P25)	$29,490	$26,615	$-2,874
Median (P50)	$30,860	$27,851	$-3,008
75th Percentile (P75)	$36,250	$32,716	$-3,533
90th Percentile (P90)	$43,790	$39,521	$-4,268

Key Insight

While $30,860 sounds high, Hawaii's elevated cost of living erases 10% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $27,851. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

Best States for Fast Food and Counter Workers (After Cost of Living)

Where does Fast Food and Counter Workers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Colorado

$34,643

RPP 102.3

2. Vermont

$34,164

RPP 101.1

3. Maine

$34,087

RPP 100.8

4. North Dakota

$33,833

RPP 88.7

5. Alaska

$33,754

RPP 102.0

6. Washington

$33,533

RPP 109.8

7. South Dakota

$33,500

RPP 88.0

8. Arizona

$33,093

RPP 99.9

9. California

$32,897

RPP 112.5

10. New York

$32,778

RPP 107.6

Hawaii ranks #43 out of 50 states for Fast Food and Counter Workers after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Fast Food and Counter Workers in Hawaii after cost of living?

A Fast Food and Counter Workers in Hawaii earns a median salary of $30,860 per year. After adjusting for Hawaii's cost of living (RPP=110.8), the real purchasing power is $27,851 — 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 Fast Food and Counter Workers in Hawaii: $30,860 x (100 / 110.8) = $27,851. 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 Fast Food and Counter Workers's nominal salary of $30,860 in Hawaii has 9.7% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $27,851. However, Hawaii may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.