Waipahu Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Waipahu, HI: $25.37/hr median hourly wage, $52,771 median annual salary, cost of living index 182.5, and $14.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Hawaii taxes.
Waipahu Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Waipahu, HI is $25.37/hr, equivalent to $52,771 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $15.73/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $36.03/hr, and the local minimum wage is $14.00/hr.
Median Salary
$52,771
$25.37/hr
Cost of Living
182.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$14.00
per hour
Unemployment
3%
rate
Waipahu, HI Overview
Population
38,216
Median Salary
$52,771
Average Salary
$59,104
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$680,000
Median Rent
$2,739/mo
Job Growth
+2.7%
Sales Tax
4%
Waipahu is located in Hawaii with a population of 38,216. The median household salary is $52,771 per year ($25.37/hour), which is $6,613 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.7%.
Waipahu Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Waipahu, HI based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $52,771 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 | $32,718 | $15.73/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $52,771 | $25.37/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $74,935 | $36.03/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $93,932 | $45.16/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.
Waipahu Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Waipahu, HI, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$40,228
$3,352.32/month · $1,547.23/biweekly · Effective Rate: 23.8%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,547.23 take-home per paycheck after estimated Hawaii and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$52,771
Federal Tax
-$4,153
State Tax
-$4,354
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,037
Net Pay
$40,228
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,397.58 | $52,771.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$346.04 | -$4,152.52 |
| Hawaii State Tax (8.25%) | -$362.80 | -$4,353.61 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$272.65 | -$3,271.80 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$63.76 | -$765.18 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,352.32 | $40,227.89 |
Salary Comparison: Waipahu vs Other Cities
See how Waipahu's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waipahu, HI | $52,771 | 182.5 | $28,916 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Dover, NH | $52,761 | 112.2 | $47,024 |
| Moorhead, MN | $52,783 | 92.7 | $56,940 |
| South Kingstown, RI | $52,757 | 94.9 | $55,592 |
| Pooler, GA | $52,753 | 95.8 | $55,066 |
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 Waipahu
Waipahu's cost of living index is 182.5 (national average = 100). Living in Waipahu is 82.5% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$680,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,739
Annual Rent Cost
$32,868
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $40,228 annual take-home pay in Waipahu has the purchasing power of approximately $22,043 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $96,307 in Waipahu to match a $52,771 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Waipahu
Waipahu's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $52,771.
Salary Tips for Waipahu Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Waipahu has a cost of living 82.5% 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. Waipahu's top industries include Tourism, Military, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $52,771 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 Waipahu salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Waipahu-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 Waipahu indexed at 182.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Waipahu's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $52,771 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 Waipahu: 3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Tourism, Military, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.7% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Hawaii.
- Housing context: median home price $680,000, median rent $2,739/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Waipahu, HI:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Waipahu unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Waipahu 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. Waipahu'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 hourly wage in Waipahu, HI?
The median hourly wage in Waipahu, HI is $25.37 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $52,771 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $15.73/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $36.03/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Waipahu, HI?
The median salary in Waipahu, HI is $52,771 per year, or $25.37 per hour. The average salary is $59,104. This is $6,613 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Waipahu, HI?
Waipahu's cost of living index is 182.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 82.5% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $680,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,739.
What are the best industries in Waipahu?
The top industries in Waipahu, HI include Tourism, Military, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 2.7% and an unemployment rate of 3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $52,771.
How does Waipahu's salary compare to other cities?
Waipahu's median salary of $52,771 is 11.1% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 182.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $28,916.
What is the minimum wage in Waipahu, HI?
The minimum wage in Waipahu, 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.