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Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Salary in Hawaii: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks 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
$62,070
Median annual (2025)
-9.7%
Real Purchasing Power
$56,019
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 Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks earning $62,070 in Hawaii has the equivalent purchasing power of $56,019 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) $45,140 $40,740 $-4,399
25th Percentile (P25) $54,590 $49,268 $-5,321
Median (P50) $62,070 $56,019 $-6,050
75th Percentile (P75) $76,780 $69,296 $-7,483
90th Percentile (P90) $83,810 $75,640 $-8,169
Key Insight

While $62,070 sounds high, Hawaii's elevated cost of living erases 10% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $56,019. 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 Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks 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 $62,070 median salary translates to $56,020 in real terms — a 9.7% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#40 / 51

Hawaii ranks #40 of 51 — bottom quartile for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks (After Cost of Living)

Where does Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$68,320
RPP 88.7
$64,257
RPP 92.3
$64,039
RPP 116.6
4. Kansas
$62,877
RPP 90.0
$62,763
RPP 97.7
$62,697
RPP 102.3
7. Georgia
$62,620
RPP 95.8
8. Ohio
$62,590
RPP 91.5
9. Iowa
$61,176
RPP 88.4
10. Nebraska
$61,135
RPP 89.8

Hawaii ranks #40 out of 51 states for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks take-home pay in Hawaii after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in Hawaii after cost of living?

A Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in Hawaii earns a median salary of $62,070 per year. After adjusting for Hawaii's cost of living (RPP=110.8), the real purchasing power is $56,019 — 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 Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks in Hawaii: $62,070 x (100 / 110.8) = $56,019. 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 Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks's nominal salary of $62,070 in Hawaii has 9.7% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $56,019. However, Hawaii may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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