Technology Hawaii (HI) Rank #1 of 50

Data Engineer Salary in Hawaii

The median data engineer salary in Hawaii is $206,250 per year, which is 65.0% above the national median of $125,000.

Median Salary
$206,250
vs National
+$81,250
State Rank
#1 of 50
Cost of Living
170%

Data Engineer Salary Overview in Hawaii (2026)

Hawaii ranks #1 out of 50 states for data engineer compensation. This places Hawaii in the top tier nationally, making it one of the best states for data engineers seeking high pay. At $206,250 per year, data engineers in Hawaii earn $81,250 more than the national median of $125,000.

It's worth noting that Hawaii's cost of living is 170% of the national average, which reduces the real purchasing power of the $206,250 salary. After adjusting for cost of living, the effective salary is closer to $121,324.

The salary spread in Hawaii is significant: data engineers at the 10th percentile earn $128,700, while those at the 90th percentile bring home $313,500 — a $184,800 gap that reflects differences in experience, specialization, employer type, and metro area. The highest-paying city in Hawaii for this role is Honolulu, where the median reaches $212,500.

Nationally, data engineer employment is projected to grow 28% over the next decade (much faster than average). This strong growth suggests increasing demand and competitive salaries in Hawaii and beyond.

Data Engineer Salary in Hawaii by Experience

In Hawaii, an entry-level data engineer earns around $132,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $297,000 per year. The cost of living index in Hawaii is 170% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$132,000
+$52,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$209,550
+$82,550 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$297,000
+$117,000 vs national

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Salary Percentiles in Hawaii

Percentile HI Salary
10th Percentile $128,700
25th Percentile $165,000
Median (50th) $206,250
75th Percentile $260,700
90th Percentile $313,500

Data Engineer Salary by City in Hawaii

The largest employment areas for data engineers in Hawaii include Honolulu, Pearl City, Hilo, and Kailua. Salaries vary by city based on local cost of living and demand.

How to Become a Data Engineer in Hawaii

Education

Most data engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Hawaii has several accredited institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonSQLSparkAirflowAWS/GCPData Modeling

Job Outlook in Hawaii

Nationally, data engineer employment is projected to grow 28% over the next decade (much faster than average). Hawaii's demand may vary based on local industry trends.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Data Engineer Salary in Hawaii

How much does a Data Engineer make in Hawaii? ▼
The median data engineer salary in Hawaii is $206,250 per year, which is 65.0% above the national median of $125,000. Salaries range from $128,700 (10th percentile) to $313,500 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Engineer make per hour in Hawaii? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $206,250, a data engineer in Hawaii earns approximately $99 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
Is Hawaii a good state for data engineers? ▼
Hawaii ranks #1 out of 50 states for data engineer pay. The cost of living index is 170% of the national average. Entry-level data engineers earn $132,000, while senior professionals earn $297,000.
How does Hawaii compare to other states for data engineer salary? ▼
The highest paying state for data engineers is Hawaii at $206,250. Hawaii's median of $206,250 ranks #1 nationally. Nearby-ranked states include California ($191,250) and Massachusetts ($181,250).
What is the entry-level data engineer salary in Hawaii? ▼
An entry-level data engineer in Hawaii earns approximately $132,000 per year. With 3-7 years of experience, pay increases to around $209,550. Senior-level professionals with 8+ years earn up to $297,000.
What city in Hawaii pays data engineers the most? ▼
Honolulu is the highest paying city in Hawaii for data engineers, with a median salary of $212,500. Other cities include Pearl City and Hilo.