BLS OEWS May 2025
Electrician Salary in Hawaii 2026
Updated 22 June 2026
$96,460/yr median · $46.38/hr
State Median
$96k
vs. National
+$33k
Top 10%
$125k
COL-Adjusted
$50k
Electrician Salary Range in Hawaii
The full wage spread for electricians (occupation 47-2111) in Hawaii, from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%. All three figures are reported directly by the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program (May 2025).
10th percentile
$46k
$45,730/yr
Lowest-paid 10%
Median (50th)
$96k
$96,460/yr
Typical electrician
90th percentile
$125k
$124,590/yr
Highest-paid 10%
An electrician in the bottom 10% of Hawaii earners makes about $45,730/yr, while the top 10% earn $124,590/yr or more — a range of $78,860. The 10th-percentile figure is a real BLS wage observation (it typically reflects apprentices and newly-licensed journeymen), distinct from the modelled apprentice-entry estimate shown in the experience table below.
Where Hawaii Ranks
Hawaii ranks #3 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $63,190 (BLS OEWS May 2025). Hawaii pays $33,270 above the national average.
Hawaii's cost-of-living index is 192 (MERIC 2026, where 100 = US average). After adjustment, the purchasing power of an electrician's salary here is equivalent to $50,240/yr in national-average dollar terms. The high cost of living significantly reduces the real value of nominal wages.
Pay by Metro Area
Estimated median pay for the top 5 metropolitan areas in Hawaii, modelled from the state median and regional cost differentials (not BLS metro estimates).
| Metro Area | Median Annual | vs. State Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Honolulu (Oahu) | $78,400 | -18.1k |
| Maui County | $73,200 | -23.3k |
| Hawaii County (Big Island) | $70,800 | -25.7k |
| Kauai County | $70,400 | -26.1k |
| Kapolei / Ewa | $76,800 | -19.7k |
Pay by Experience Level
| Level | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (Year 1) | $22 - $28/hr | $46,000 - $58,000 |
| Apprentice (Year 4-5) | $30 - $40/hr | $62,000 - $83,000 |
| Journeyman (Employee) | $36 - $52/hr | $75,000 - $108,000 |
| Master Electrician (Employee) | $44 - $62/hr | $91,000 - $129,000 |
| Self-Employed Contractor | $100 - $185/hr billed | $100,000 - $260,000 net |
Hawaii Licensing Requirements
See full 50-state licensing matrix at electriciansalary.com/licensing
Union Presence in Hawaii
IBEW Locals: IBEW Local 1186 (statewide Hawaii, headquartered Honolulu)
Union share: approximately 51% of electricians in Hawaii are union, one of the highest rates in the US.
Union electricians in Hawaii typically earn 20-35% more in total compensation than non-union electricians, when wages, health insurance, pension, and annuity are included.
Full IBEW wage scale breakdown and union vs non-union analysis
Job Outlook in Hawaii
Hawaii electricians benefit from sustained military electrical construction (Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Schofield Barracks, Marine Corps Base Hawaii), the Lahaina rebuild on Maui following the August 2023 wildfires, and the state's renewable mandate of 100% by 2045 driving steady photovoltaic, battery storage, and grid work. Hawaii's extreme cost of living (192 MERIC index, highest in the US) substantially erodes nominal wage advantage.
Major Employers in Hawaii
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electricians make in Hawaii?
What is the salary range for electricians in Hawaii?
How does Hawaii rank for electrician pay?
Do I need a license to work as an electrician in Hawaii?
Are union electricians better paid in Hawaii?
What is the job outlook for electricians in Hawaii?
Related Pages
State 10th-percentile, median, and 90th-percentile (top 10%) wage figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (47-2111). COL index: MERIC 2026. Metro, apprentice, and contractor figures are modelled estimates (not BLS). IBEW local agreements 2025-2026.