Elementary School Teacher Salary in Hawaii: $73,763 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Hawaii's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median elementary school teacher pay sits at $73,763/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 25-2021. Because Hawaii sits at BEA RPP 119.3 (19% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $61,830 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Honolulu ($81,206), Kaneohe ($75,836), Mililani Town ($75,700).
In 2026, the average median salary for elementary school teachers in Hawaii is projected to be $73,763, which is significantly higher than the national median of $64,597, representing a difference of 14.2%. Within the state, the disparities among cities are notable; the highest paying city is Honolulu at $82,002, while the lowest is Kahului at $72,534, creating a salary gap of $9,468. This variation can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, school funding, and local demand for educators. Hawaii has specific licensing requirements that include a bachelor's degree, student teaching experience, and passing state examinations. The demand for teachers remains steady, supported by the state's unique educational environment and population needs. The projected annual growth rate for elementary teaching positions is 0.98%, indicating a stable job market. In terms of salaries in other key cities, Kaneohe is projected to be at $76,579, followed closely by Mililani Town at $76,442, Kailua at $76,393, and East Honolulu at $75,544. Understanding the specific factors affecting salaries and job prospects will be essential for aspiring educators looking to establish their careers in Hawaii.
Hawaii Elementary School Teacher Salary Range
Overall salary range in Hawaii: $51,964 (lowest entry-level) to $127,103 (highest top earner)
Hawaii vs National Average
Hawaii elementary school teachers earn 14.19% more than the national median (+$9,166/year difference).
Hawaii Elementary School Teacher Salary Distribution (2026)
Elementary School Teacher salaries in Hawaii range from $57,176 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $97,578 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $73,763. The Hawaii median is $9,166 above the US national median of $64,597. The average hourly rate is $35.46/hr. Approximately 4,980 elementary school teachers are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,879
2025 BLS Actual
$73,047
2026 Current Est.
$73,763
2019–2027 Growth
+18.5%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Hawaii (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,879 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,573 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,468 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,978 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,048 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,047 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,763 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,485 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hawaii metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 16.2% from $62,879 (2019) to $73,047 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,485 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,606 (18.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hawaii metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 0.98% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Hawaii
Lowest Paying Cities in Hawaii
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Kahului | $72,534 |
| Hilo | $73,129 |
| Urban Honolulu | $73,796 |
| Pearl City | $74,797 |
| Waipahu | $75,515 |
Best Value Cities for Elementary School Teachers in Hawaii
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Hawaii cities offer the most purchasing power for elementary school teachers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $82,002 | 119.3 | $68,736 |
| Urban Honolulu | $73,796 | 110.961 | $66,506 |
| Kahului | $72,534 | 109.393 | $66,306 |
| Kaneohe | $76,579 | 119.3 | $64,190 |
| Mililani Town | $76,442 | 119.3 | $64,075 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Hawaii
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $57,176 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $73,763 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $97,578 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Hawaii metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Hawaii
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honolulu | $82,002 |
| 2 | Kaneohe | $76,579 |
| 3 | Mililani Town | $76,442 |
| 4 | Kailua | $76,393 |
| 5 | East Honolulu | $75,544 |
| 6 | Waipahu | $75,515 |
| 7 | Pearl City | $74,797 |
| 8 | Urban Honolulu | $73,796 |
| 9 | Hilo | $73,129 |
| 10 | Kahului | $72,534 |
More Hawaii Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore elementary school teacher hourly pay in Hawaii cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced elementary school teachers.
Explore More Elementary School Teacher Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in Hawaii in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for elementary school teachers in Hawaii?
How does Hawaii elementary school teacher pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level elementary school teacher salary in Hawaii?
How many elementary school teachers are employed in Hawaii?
Which Hawaii city offers the best value for elementary school teachers?
Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 elementary school teacher compensation across Hawaii. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more elementary school teacherscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov