Electrician Salary

Hilo vs Kahului: Electrician Salary (2026)

Compare electrician salaries between Hilo, HI and Kahului, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hilo, HI
$73,053
$35.12/hr
Kahului, HI
$100,568
$48.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHilo, HIKahului, HI
Median Salary$73,053$100,568
Hourly Rate$35.12$48.34
Entry Level (P10)$51,490$46,924
25th Percentile$57,961$61,691
75th Percentile$93,507$122,513
Top Earner (P90)$113,232$137,025
Total Employed7310
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hilo ($73,053) and Kahului ($100,568) electrician salaries.HiloKahuluiMedian Salary$73,053$100,568Entry Level (P10)$51,490$46,924Top Earner (P90)$113,232$137,025US Median $64,530

Verdict

Kahului, HI offers better overall compensation for electricians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hilo.

The salary gap between Hilo and Kahului is $27,515 (37.66%). Kahului's median is +55.85% compared to the US national median of $64,530.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hilo spans $61,742,Kahului spans $90,101. Kahului has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electricians.

Hilo
P10 (Entry)$51,490
P25$57,961
Median$73,053
P75$93,507
P90 (Top)$113,232
Kahului
P10 (Entry)$46,924
P25$61,691
Median$100,568
P75$122,513
P90 (Top)$137,025

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kahului ($91,933 effective) pays 50.13% more than Hilo ($61,235 effective).

Hilo
Nominal: $73,053
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $61,235
Kahului
Nominal: $100,568
CoL Index: 109.393
Adjusted: $91,933

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hilo if…

  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Kahului if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,568/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($137,025)
  • Larger job market (310 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $91,933)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrician salaries in Hilo grew -22.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 44.5% growth in Kahului over the same period.

Hilo, HI

+-22.9%

$92,830 (2024) → $71,536 (2025)

Kahului, HI

+44.5%

$68,150 (2019) → $98,480 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Hilo or Kahului?

Kahului has a higher median electrician salary at $100,568/year, compared to Hilo at $73,053/year — a difference of $27,515 (37.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hilo and Kahului?

Hilo electricians earn $35.12/hr while Kahului hygienists earn $48.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hilo to Kahului as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hilo and Kahului. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hilo = $61,235, Kahului = $91,933), job availability (7 vs 310 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electricians earn in Hilo vs Kahului?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $51,490 in Hilo and $46,924 in Kahului. The Hilo area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst

Career Analyst

Samuel Carter has over 10 years of experience as an electrician. His focus includes residential wiring and safety standards. He has worked in various construction firms.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.12% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov