Civil Engineer Salary in Waipahu, HI: $120,983 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Waipahu, HI earns a median $120,983/year (≈ $58.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Waipahu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $101,411 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers working in Waipahu, HI, can expect a median annual salary of $120,983, significantly higher than the national average of $103,492. The salary range varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $81,905 and experienced engineers earning up to $187,525. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect adjustments for local economic conditions, ensuring a more accurate representation of compensation in Waipahu. As the demand for civil engineering expertise continues to grow due to infrastructure initiatives, the prospects for professionals in this field are increasingly favorable.
About the Waipahu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,905 | $39.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,602 | $45.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $120,983 | $58.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $149,978 | $72.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $187,525 | $90.16 |
Median Salary Position
16.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waipahu
In Waipahu, HI, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,620 (2026 est.). At $120,983, the local median is 16.9% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waipahu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waipahu Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Waipahu median: $120,983/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waipahu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $123,452 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | +16.90% more |
Civil Engineers in Waipahu, HI earn a median of $120,983 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.90% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 2.00% below the Hawaii state average of $123,452.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waipahu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waipahu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $120,983 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,411 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,774
2025 BLS Actual
$117,883
2026 Current Est.
$120,983
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Waipahu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,774 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,539 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,931 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,141 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,096 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,253 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,883 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $120,983 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,165 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waipahu metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $101,774 (2019) to $117,883 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,165 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,391 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waipahu 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 2.63% 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) | $81,905 – $94,602 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,602 – $120,983 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $120,983 – $149,978 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $149,978 – $187,525 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Waipahu
Within Waipahu, the local job market currently employs nine civil engineers, presenting unique challenges and opportunities for professionals. The cost of living index in the area stands at 119.3, which affects the purchasing power of salaries and emphasizes the importance of competitive compensation. Notably, engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs often offer the highest pay in Waipahu, primarily due to their involvement in lucrative government and private sector projects driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Factors influencing salary disparities include the attainment of a professional engineer (PE) license, areas of specialization, and firm size. Civil engineers aiming to increase their pay should consider pursuing licensure, gaining experience in high-demand specialties like geotechnical or transportation engineering, and exploring roles that focus on project management within top-tier firms.
More salary data for Waipahu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
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 $117,883 for civil engineersin the Waipahu metropolitan area. A 2.63% 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 Waipahu 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 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov