Is Electrician a Good Career in Hawaii?

Hawaii · 2026 BLS salary data

Electrician pay in Hawaii

The median wage is $96,460/yr — 53% above the national median. Among U.S. states, Hawaiione of the highest-paying states (#3 of 51).

The numbers in Hawaii

Real BLS state-level figures for Electrician.

Median salary: $96,460/yr
Pay range (25th–75th): $70,460 – $120,740
National median: $63,190/yr
Employed in Hawaii: 3,070

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Hawaii

Salary alone can mislead — Hawaii costs 10% more than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100): 110
Nominal median: $96,460
Adjusted for cost of living: ≈ $87,691
State income tax: Up to 11%

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Electrician nationally — Hawaii pay is 53% above the national median. See the full Electrician career guide →

The verdict

Yes — electricians combine debt-free apprenticeship entry with faster-than-average growth, boosted by the electrification and data-center boom. A strong pick unless you want office work or can't meet the physical/safety demands.

Worth it If you want debt-free entry and growing demand (EVs, data centers, solar)
Worth it If you're comfortable with hands-on, code-driven technical work
Not worth it If you want a desk job or struggle with heights/physical work

Pros & cons

Pros

Faster-than-average projected growth
Paid apprenticeship — earn while you learn, no debt
Riding the electrification / data-center / solar boom
Strong self-employment potential
Skilled, code-driven work that resists automation

Cons

Real safety risks (shock, falls)
Physically demanding, variable job sites
Multi-year apprenticeship before full licensure
Some travel and irregular hours

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

Technically-minded, hands-on people
Those wanting a debt-free path into a growing trade
Anyone eyeing self-employment

✗ Probably not if…

People who want office or remote work
Those uncomfortable with heights or electrical risk

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Electrician is worth it — titles link to the original threads.