Hawaii Job Market: Top Industries, Salaries & Employers (2026)
Guide to the Hawaii job market in 2026. Tourism, military, healthcare, and clean energy across the Hawaiian Islands.
Hawaii's island geography creates a unique economy heavily dependent on tourism and military spending. While salaries appear moderate, the extreme cost of living — especially housing — means purchasing power is significantly lower than mainland states. The state is investing in clean energy and diversification to reduce tourism dependence.
Top Industries
- Tourism: Hawaii's #1 industry. 10 million+ visitors annually generating $20B+. Hotels, restaurants, tour operators, airlines. 200,000+ hospitality workers. Average hospitality salary: $38,000 (with tips higher).
- Military & Federal Government: Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Schofield Barracks, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, and Pacific Command (INDOPACOM). 75,000+ active duty, 25,000+ civilian DOD employees. Military spending: $7B+ annually.
- Healthcare: Queen's Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, and Hawaii Pacific Health. 80,000+ healthcare workers. Hawaii has high healthcare standards and costs.
- Agriculture: Coffee (Kona), macadamia nuts, pineapple (declining), and diversified tropical agriculture. Aquaculture growing. Agriculture contributes $3B+ annually.
- Construction & Real Estate: Constant demand for housing, resort development, and infrastructure. 40,000+ construction workers. Average construction salary: $65,000.
Major Employers
| Employer | Industry | Approx. HI Employees |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Military (all branches) | Military | 100,000+ (incl. active duty) |
| State of Hawaii | Government | 45,000+ |
| Kaiser Permanente Hawaii | Healthcare | 7,000+ |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Airlines | 6,000+ |
| Queen's Health System | Healthcare | 6,000+ |
| Marriott/Starwood | Hospitality | 5,000+ |
| University of Hawaii | Education | 10,000+ |
Average Salary by Island/Region
| Location | Avg Salary | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|---|
| Honolulu (Oahu) | $59,870 | 180 (extreme) |
| Maui | $52,340 | 175 |
| Big Island (Hawaii) | $48,640 | 155 |
| Kauai | $49,730 | 170 |
Growing Sectors
- Clean Energy: Hawaii targets 100% renewable electricity by 2045. Solar, wind, and battery storage projects create growing employment. Average clean energy salary: $70,000.
- Astronomy & Space: Mauna Kea observatories and Pacific Missile Range Facility (Kauai) create research and defense tech jobs.
- Sustainable Agriculture: Local food production initiatives growing. Vertical farming, aquaponics, and tropical agriculture innovation.
Remote Work Availability
Hawaii launched the "Movers & Shakas" program to attract remote workers, but the extremely high cost of living limits applicability. Remote workers earning $150,000+ from mainland companies find Hawaii viable. Honolulu has good broadband; outer islands vary. Time zone (HST, 5-6 hours behind Eastern) is a challenge for mainland work schedules.
FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Hawaii?
$14.00/hour with scheduled increases to $18 by 2028. However, even $18/hour is challenging given Hawaii's extreme cost of living. A "living wage" in Honolulu is estimated at $22-25/hour.