Elementary School Teacher Salary in Waipahu, HI: $75,515 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Waipahu, HI earns a median $75,515/year (≈ $36.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Waipahu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $63,298 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waipahu, Hawaii, elementary school teachers can expect a median annual salary of $75,515 in 2026, which is approximately 16.90% higher than the national median for this occupation. Salaries range from $56,807 at the 10th percentile to $117,048 for the top 90th percentile. These figures are derived from projections based on 2025 BLS data, which account for local market conditions, including a relatively high cost of living in this area. Additionally, teachers in high-demand fields such as special education, STEM, and bilingual instruction may receive additional stipends, enhancing their overall compensation. This context reflects not only the compensation landscape for educators but also highlights the ongoing need for qualified teachers in Waipahu's educational system.
About the Waipahu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,807 | $27.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,445 | $32.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,515 | $36.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,665 | $44.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,048 | $56.28 |
Median Salary Position
16.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waipahu
In Waipahu, HI, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,241 (2026 est.). At $75,515, the local median is 16.9% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waipahu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waipahu Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Waipahu median: $75,515/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waipahu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $77,056 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +16.90% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Waipahu, HI earn a median of $75,515 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.90% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 2.00% below the Hawaii state average of $77,056.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waipahu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waipahu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,515 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $63,298 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,755
2025 BLS Actual
$74,782
2026 Current Est.
$75,515
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Waipahu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,755 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,240 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,778 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,117 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,443 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,493 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,782 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,515 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,255 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waipahu metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $69,755 (2019) to $74,782 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,255 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,500 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waipahu 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $56,807 – $67,445 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,445 – $75,515 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,515 – $92,665 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,665 – $117,048 |
Teacher salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual elementary school teacher compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Elementary School Teacher Job Market in Waipahu
The local job market for elementary school teachers in Waipahu is relatively small, with just nine educators currently employed in the area. Despite this limited number, the cost of living index stands at 119.3, suggesting that teachers' take-home pay may not stretch as far as it might in lower cost-of-living areas. When exploring potential employers, K-12 public school districts tend to offer competitive salaries, but opportunities in charter and private schools can vary greatly, sometimes reflecting significant pay disparities. Factors contributing to pay variation include the district's step-and-lane scale, shortage area stipends, and additional compensation for extended contracts or tutoring. To maximize earnings, teachers in Waipahu should consider pursuing advanced degrees, seeking National Board Certification, and exploring positions that offer extended year contracts or after-school programs to boost their overall salary.
More salary data for Waipahu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $74,782 for elementary school teachersin the Waipahu metropolitan area. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Waipahu is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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