Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Hawaii: $77,253 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Hawaii's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $77,253/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Hawaii sits at BEA RPP 119.3 (19% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $64,755 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Honolulu ($81,751), Kaneohe ($76,345), Mililani Town ($76,208).
When considering a career as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in Hawaii, it's essential to note that the projected average median salary for 2026 is $77,253, significantly higher than the national median of $68,071, which reflects a 13.5% premium. The salary varies across different cities, with Honolulu offering the highest average at $86,411, while Urban Honolulu presents the lowest at $75,935, creating a salary gap of $10,476. This disparity is influenced by factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas. In Hawaii, LPNs must comply with state licensing requirements and understand the specific scope of practice laws, which can vary from other states. The ongoing demand for healthcare professionals driven by an aging population and changing health needs supports a favorable job market outlook, with a projected growth rate of 5.70% annually. Currently, there are 750 LPNs employed, primarily concentrated in cities like Kaneohe ($80,697), Mililani Town ($80,552), Kailua ($80,502), and East Honolulu ($79,607). For those seeking a career in nursing, Hawaii presents a strong option with competitive salaries and a supportive job environment.
Hawaii Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Hawaii: $59,551 (lowest entry-level) to $113,339 (highest top earner)
Hawaii vs National Average
Hawaii licensed practical nurses earn 13.49% more than the national median (+$9,182/year difference).
Hawaii Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Hawaii range from $62,849 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $96,891 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $77,253. The Hawaii median is $9,182 above the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $37.14/hr. Approximately 750 licensed practical nurses are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,453
2025 BLS Actual
$73,087
2026 Current Est.
$77,253
2019–2027 Growth
+61.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Hawaii (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,453 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,635 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,591 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,606 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,044 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,087 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,253 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,656 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hawaii metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 44.9% from $50,453 (2019) to $73,087 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,656 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,203 (61.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hawaii 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 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Hawaii
Lowest Paying Cities in Hawaii
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | $75,935 |
| Kahului | $76,791 |
| Hilo | $77,061 |
| Pearl City | $78,819 |
| Waipahu | $79,575 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Hawaii
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Hawaii cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $86,411 | 119.3 | $72,432 |
| Kahului | $76,791 | 109.393 | $70,197 |
| Urban Honolulu | $75,935 | 110.961 | $68,434 |
| Kaneohe | $80,697 | 119.3 | $67,642 |
| Mililani Town | $80,552 | 119.3 | $67,521 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Hawaii
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $62,849 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $77,253 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $96,891 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Hawaii metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Hawaii
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honolulu | $86,411 |
| 2 | Kaneohe | $80,697 |
| 3 | Mililani Town | $80,552 |
| 4 | Kailua | $80,502 |
| 5 | East Honolulu | $79,607 |
| 6 | Waipahu | $79,575 |
| 7 | Pearl City | $78,819 |
| 8 | Hilo | $77,061 |
| 9 | Kahului | $76,791 |
| 10 | Urban Honolulu | $75,935 |
More Hawaii Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Hawaii cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Hawaii in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Hawaii?
How does Hawaii licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Hawaii?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Hawaii?
Which Hawaii city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across Hawaii. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov