Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Honolulu, HI: $86,411 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Honolulu, HI earns a median $86,411/year (≈ $41.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Honolulu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $72,432 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Honolulu, Hawaii, licensed practical nurses earn a 2026 median annual salary of $86,411, significantly higher than the national average of $68,071. The projected salary range is notably broad, with the lowest 10% earning around $62,334 and the top 90% exceeding $113,339. These figures reflect local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for the unique cost of living in the region. Nurses in Honolulu may find that their compensation varies depending on the care setting they choose, such as skilled nursing facilities, home health care, or clinic environments, with skilled nursing typically offering the most competitive compensation.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,334 | $29.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,682 | $36.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,411 | $41.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,395 | $50.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,339 | $54.49 |
Median Salary Position
26.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Honolulu
In Honolulu, HI, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,005 (2026 est.). At $86,411, the local median is 26.94% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Honolulu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Honolulu Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Honolulu median: $86,411/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $81,213 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +26.94% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Honolulu, HI earn a median of $86,411 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.94% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 6.40% above the Hawaii state average of $81,213.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Honolulu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,411 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,432 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,272
2025 BLS Actual
$81,751
2026 Current Est.
$86,411
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,272 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,973 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,021 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,336 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,823 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,244 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,751 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,411 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,336 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Honolulu metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $60,272 (2019) to $81,751 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,336 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,064 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Honolulu 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $62,334 – $75,682 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,682 – $86,411 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,411 – $104,395 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,395 – $113,339 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Honolulu
The local job market in Honolulu employs about 68 licensed practical nurses, indicating a stable demand for their skills. However, the cost of living in the city poses significant challenges, as evidenced by a cost-of-living index of 119.3, which indicates that expenses are higher than the national average. Amongst various employers, skilled nursing facilities generally offer higher wages due to the complex care required, followed by hospitals, while home health agencies tend to pay less. Factors contributing to the differential in compensation include evening and weekend shifts, specialized certifications such as IV therapy, and the nature of the care environment. For those seeking to maximize their licensed practical nurse pay in Honolulu, pursuing additional certifications, gaining experience in high-demand areas, or exploring opportunities within long-term care settings could prove beneficial in improving overall earnings.
More salary data for Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $81,751 for licensed practical nursesin the Honolulu metropolitan area. A 5.70% 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 Honolulu 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 5.70%, 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