Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Special Education Teachers, Secondary School 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 Special Education Teachers, Secondary School earning $65,980 in Hawaii has the equivalent purchasing power of $59,548 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) | $58,250 | $52,572 | $-5,677 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $59,070 | $53,312 | $-5,757 |
| Median (P50) | $65,980 | $59,548 | $-6,431 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $75,590 | $68,222 | $-7,367 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $93,170 | $84,088 | $-9,081 |
While $65,980 sounds high, Hawaii's elevated cost of living erases 10% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $59,548. 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 Special Education Teachers, Secondary School needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying Hawaii's RPP, the $65,980 median salary translates to $59,549 in real terms — a 9.7% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Special Education Teachers, Secondary School.
Hawaii ranks #50 of 51 — bottom quartile for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.
Where does Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Hawaii ranks #50 out of 51 states for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Special Education Teachers, Secondary School take-home pay in Hawaii after taxes →
A Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Hawaii earns a median salary of $65,980 per year. After adjusting for Hawaii's cost of living (RPP=110.8), the real purchasing power is $59,548 — 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 Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Hawaii: $65,980 x (100 / 110.8) = $59,548. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Special Education Teachers, Secondary School's nominal salary of $65,980 in Hawaii has 9.7% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $59,548. However, Hawaii may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.