Registered Nurse Salary in Kailua, HI: $121,491 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Kailua, HI earns a median $121,491/year (≈ $58.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Kailua's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $101,837 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Registered nurses in Kailua, HI, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $121,491 by 2026, which marks a substantial 18.26% increase compared to the national median of $102,730 for that same year. The salary range in this local market varies considerably, with entry-level positions starting around $88,234 and seasoned professionals reaching up to $166,534. These figures are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted to reflect Hawaii's high cost of living. This pay scale reflects a significant structural divide between staff and travel nurses, with the latter often commanding higher rates due to the demand for flexible, short-term assignments in this picturesque but costly area.
About the Kailua Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($119,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $88,234 | $42.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,544 | $48.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,491 | $58.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,893 | $66.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,534 | $80.07 |
Median Salary Position
18.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kailua
In Kailua, HI, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,300 (2026 est.). At $121,491, the local median is 18.26% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kailua: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kailua Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Kailua median: $121,491/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kailua Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $122,594 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | +18.26% more |
Registered Nurses in Kailua, HI earn a median of $121,491 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.26% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 0.90% below the Hawaii state average of $122,594.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kailua has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kailua, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $121,491 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,837 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,686
2025 BLS Actual
$115,365
2026 Current Est.
$121,491
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Kailua (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,686 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,087 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,772 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,053 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,788 | Actual |
| 2024 | $140,732 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,365 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,491 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,942 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kailua metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $86,686 (2019) to $115,365 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,942 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,256 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kailua 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 5.31% 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) | $88,234 – $100,544 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,544 – $121,491 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,491 – $138,893 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,893 – $166,534 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Kailua
Despite the promising salary figures, Kailua's job market for registered nurses remains relatively small, with only six individuals currently employed in this essential role. The cost of living index stands at 119.3, indicating that even though nurse salaries are competitive, the purchasing power is affected by higher living expenses. Among various healthcare employers, acute care hospitals, particularly those with magnet status, tend to offer the highest pay for registered nurses. Factors such as shift differentials for nights and weekends can increase hourly earnings by $3-7, while specialty certifications can further enhance compensation. To maximize financial rewards in Kailua, registered nurses may consider pursuing advanced certifications and seeking positions in high-demand specialties like ICU or ED, where the pay disparity between entry-level and experienced roles can be particularly pronounced.
More salary data for Kailua, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
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 $115,365 for registered nursesin the Kailua metropolitan area. A 5.31% 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 Kailua 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 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov