Salary & Cost of Living in Kailua, HI
Kailua, HI: $74,907 median salary, cost of living index 195.5, $14.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$74,907
$36/hr
Cost of Living
195.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$14.00
per hour
Unemployment
3.4%
rate
Kailua, HI Overview
Population
40,514
Median Salary
$74,907
Average Salary
$83,896
Avg Commute
17 min
Median Home Price
$920,000
Median Rent
$3,700/mo
Job Growth
+0.9%
Sales Tax
4%
Kailua is located in Hawaii with a population of 40,514. The median household salary is $74,907 per year ($36/hour), which is $15,523 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 17 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.9%.
Kailua Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Kailua, HI based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $74,907 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $46,442 | $22.33/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $74,907 | $36.01/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $106,368 | $51.13/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $133,334 | $64.10/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Kailua Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Kailua, HI, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$54,903
$4,575.27/month · $2,111.66/biweekly · Effective Rate: 26.7%
Gross Pay
$74,907
Federal Tax
-$8,094
State Tax
-$6,180
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,730
Net Pay
$54,903
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $6,242.25 | $74,907.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$674.46 | -$8,093.54 |
| Hawaii State Tax (8.25%) | -$514.99 | -$6,179.83 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$387.02 | -$4,644.23 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$90.51 | -$1,086.15 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,575.27 | $54,903.25 |
Salary Comparison: Kailua vs Other Cities
See how Kailua's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kailua, HI | $74,907 | 195.5 | $38,316 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Catonsville, MD | $74,910 | 112.2 | $66,765 |
| Vestavia Hills, AL | $74,901 | 102.5 | $73,074 |
| Andover, MA | $74,896 | 121 | $61,898 |
| Peachtree City, GA | $74,893 | 105.2 | $71,191 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Kailua
Kailua's cost of living index is 195.5 (national average = 100). Living in Kailua is 95.5% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$920,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,700
Annual Rent Cost
$44,400
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $54,903 annual take-home pay in Kailua has the purchasing power of approximately $28,084 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $146,443 in Kailua to match a $74,907 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Kailua
Kailua's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $74,907.
Salary Tips for Kailua Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Kailua has a cost of living 95.5% above the national average. When negotiating salary, factor in the higher housing and living costs to ensure your real purchasing power stays competitive.
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 8.25% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Kailua's top industries include Tourism, Military, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $74,907 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Kailua salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Kailua-HI metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Kailua indexed at 195.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Kailua's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $74,907 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Hawaii state income tax (8.25%) (no local income tax), sales tax (4%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Kailua: 3.4%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Tourism, Military, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.9% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Hawaii.
- Housing context: median home price $920,000, median rent $3,700/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Kailua, HI:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Kailua unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Kailua QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Hawaii — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Kailua's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Hawaii labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Kailua, HI?
The median salary in Kailua, HI is $74,907 per year, or $36 per hour. The average salary is $83,896. This is $15,523 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Kailua, HI?
Kailua's cost of living index is 195.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 95.5% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $920,000 and the median monthly rent is $3,700.
What are the best industries in Kailua?
The top industries in Kailua, HI include Tourism, Military, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 0.9% and an unemployment rate of 3.4%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $74,907.
How does Kailua's salary compare to other cities?
Kailua's median salary of $74,907 is 26.1% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 195.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $38,316.
What is the minimum wage in Kailua, HI?
The minimum wage in Kailua, HI is $14.00 per hour. This equals approximately $29,120 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $6.75 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.