Technology Honolulu, HI Pop. 350,964

Software Engineer Salary in Honolulu, Hawaii

The median software engineer salary in Honolulu, HI is $211,140 per year, which is 70.0% above the national median and 3.0% above the Hawaii state average.

City Median
$211,140
vs State Avg
+$6,210
vs National
+$86,940
Cost of Living
175%

Software Engineer Pay in Honolulu: What to Expect (2026)

Honolulu offers a median software engineer salary of $211,140, which is $6,210 above the Hawaii state average of $204,930. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Honolulu pays above average for this role.

However, Honolulu's cost of living index is 175%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $211,140 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $120,651. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Honolulu should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for software engineers in Honolulu spans from $126,820 at the 10th percentile to $337,586 at the 90th percentile — a $210,766 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $132,600, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $314,500. With a population of 350,964, Honolulu is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Software Engineer Salary in Honolulu by Experience

In Honolulu, an entry-level software engineer earns around $132,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $314,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 175% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$132,600
+$54,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$212,500
+$87,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$314,500
+$129,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Honolulu, HI

Percentile Honolulu
10th Percentile $126,820
25th Percentile $166,940
Median (50th) $211,140
75th Percentile $268,940
90th Percentile $337,586

Software Engineer Salary in Other Hawaii Cities

Kailua, HI
$204,930
Pop. 38,635
Pearl City, HI
$202,446
Pop. 47,698
Waipahu, HI
$194,994
Pop. 38,216
Hilo, HI
$182,574
Pop. 45,703

How to Become a Software Engineer in Honolulu

Education

Most software engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Honolulu and the surrounding Hawaii area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Honolulu may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Honolulu

Browse open software engineer positions in Honolulu, HI:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Honolulu

How much does a Software Engineer make in Honolulu, HI? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Honolulu, Hawaii is $211,140 per year, which is 70.0% above the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $126,820 (10th percentile) to $337,586 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Honolulu? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $211,140, a software engineer in Honolulu earns approximately $102 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Honolulu compare to the Hawaii state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Honolulu's median software engineer salary of $211,140 is 3.0% above the Hawaii state average of $204,930. The local cost of living index is 175% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Honolulu, HI? ▼
Honolulu has a cost of living index of 175% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $211,140 in Honolulu has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Honolulu? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Honolulu require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git. The job market is projected to grow 25% nationally over the next decade.