Registered Nurse Salary in Waipahu, HI: $120,092 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Waipahu, HI earns a median $120,092/year (≈ $57.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Waipahu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $100,664 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurse salaries in Waipahu, HI, are projected to reach a median annual figure of $120,092, which notably exceeds the national median of $102,730 by 16.90%. The full salary range for registered nurses in this area varies from $85,016 at the 10th percentile to $169,649 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, highlight the competitive compensation landscape for nurses who often earn more due to shift differentials associated with nights and weekends. As such, the combination of additional pay rates can significantly enhance take-home earnings, making the registered nurse pay in Waipahu advantageous, especially for those willing to work flexible hours.
About the Waipahu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($119,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,016 | $40.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,666 | $46.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $120,092 | $57.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $132,992 | $63.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,649 | $81.56 |
Median Salary Position
16.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waipahu
In Waipahu, HI, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,633 (2026 est.). At $120,092, the local median is 16.9% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waipahu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waipahu Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Waipahu median: $120,092/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waipahu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $122,543 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | +16.90% more |
Registered Nurses in Waipahu, HI earn a median of $120,092 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.90% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 2.00% below the Hawaii state average of $122,543.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waipahu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waipahu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $120,092 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,664 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,688
2025 BLS Actual
$114,037
2026 Current Est.
$120,092
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Waipahu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,688 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,062 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,715 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,947 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,617 | Actual |
| 2024 | $139,113 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,037 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $120,092 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $126,469 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waipahu metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $85,688 (2019) to $114,037 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $126,469 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,781 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waipahu 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) | $85,016 – $97,666 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,666 – $120,092 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $120,092 – $132,992 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $132,992 – $169,649 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Waipahu
Currently, Waipahu is home to nine registered nurses, indicating a relatively small but essential workforce in the local healthcare market. With a cost-of-living index of 119.3, nursing professionals need to consider the economic environment when assessing their salaries and take-home pay. Hospitals and healthcare facilities in Waipahu tend to offer the most competitive compensation, especially for roles in critical care settings like the ICU and ER, where the demand for specialized skills is high. Factors like shift differentials of $3-7/hour for nights and $3-5/hour for weekends, alongside incentives for specialty certification or charge nursing roles, can create significant variations in effective pay. To maximize earnings in Waipahu, RNs should focus on gaining additional certifications and seeking positions in high-demand settings, while also considering travel nursing opportunities that may offer enhanced compensation packages.
More salary data for Waipahu, 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 $114,037 for registered nursesin the Waipahu 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 Waipahu 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