What does a Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic 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 Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians earning $48,760 in Hawaii has the equivalent purchasing power of $44,007 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) | $39,190 | $35,370 | $-3,819 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $39,190 | $35,370 | $-3,819 |
| Median (P50) | $48,760 | $44,007 | $-4,752 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $62,770 | $56,651 | $-6,118 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $62,790 | $56,669 | $-6,120 |
While $48,760 sounds high, Hawaii's elevated cost of living erases 10% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $44,007. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Where does Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Hawaii ranks #30 out of 34 states for Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians after cost-of-living adjustment.
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How much do you actually take home? See Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians take-home pay in Hawaii after taxes →
A Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians in Hawaii earns a median salary of $48,760 per year. After adjusting for Hawaii's cost of living (RPP=110.8), the real purchasing power is $44,007 — 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 Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians in Hawaii: $48,760 x (100 / 110.8) = $44,007. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians's nominal salary of $48,760 in Hawaii has 9.7% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $44,007. However, Hawaii may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.