What does a Forensic Science Technicians salary really buy you in Hawaii?
Hawaii is 10.8% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-04-02
Hawaii's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 110.8, meaning prices are 10.8% higher the national average. A Forensic Science Technicians earning $68,080 in Hawaii has the equivalent purchasing power of $61,444 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) | $53,960 | $48,700 | $-5,259 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $56,740 | $51,209 | $-5,530 |
| Median (P50) | $68,080 | $61,444 | $-6,635 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $70,100 | $63,267 | $-6,832 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $84,760 | $76,498 | $-8,261 |
While $68,080 sounds high, Hawaii's elevated cost of living erases 10% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $61,444. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Where does Forensic Science Technicians salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Hawaii ranks #32 out of 44 states for Forensic Science Technicians after cost-of-living adjustment.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
How much do you actually take home? See Forensic Science Technicians take-home pay in Hawaii after taxes →
A Forensic Science Technicians in Hawaii earns a median salary of $68,080 per year. After adjusting for Hawaii's cost of living (RPP=110.8), the real purchasing power is $61,444 — 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 Forensic Science Technicians in Hawaii: $68,080 x (100 / 110.8) = $61,444. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Forensic Science Technicians's nominal salary of $68,080 in Hawaii has 9.7% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $61,444. However, Hawaii may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.