UX Designer Salary in Hawaii: $75,715 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Hawaii's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median ux designer pay sits at $75,715/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-1255. Because Hawaii sits at BEA RPP 119.3 (19% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $63,466 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Honolulu ($74,263), Kaneohe ($69,352), Mililani Town ($69,227).
In Hawaii, the average median salary for UX designers in 2026 is projected to be $75,715, which is 9.1% lower than the national median salary of $83,320. Within the state, there is a significant disparity between the highest-paying city, Honolulu, with a salary of $79,328, and the lowest, Hilo, at $70,744—indicating a difference of $8,584. This gap can be attributed to the concentration of tech companies and demand for digital services in Honolulu, compared to Hilo's smaller market. Factors specific to Hawaii, such as state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, may also influence salary levels, as certain regulations can affect job responsibilities and professional demand. The job market for UX designers in Hawaii is projected to grow at an annual rate of 6.82% from 2025, indicating increasing opportunities within the field. As per the 2026 projections, other notable cities include Kaneohe with a salary of $74,082, Mililani Town at $73,948, Kailua at $73,902, and Urban Honolulu at $73,810. Overall, while the salaries in Hawaii are on the lower end compared to the national average, the anticipated growth suggests a positive outlook for UX design careers in the state.
Hawaii UX Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Hawaii: $41,032 (lowest entry-level) to $164,043 (highest top earner)
Hawaii vs National Average
Hawaii ux designers earn 9.13% less than the national median ($-7,605/year difference).
Hawaii UX Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
UX Designer salaries in Hawaii range from $44,231 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $129,392 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $75,715. The Hawaii median is $7,605 below the US national median of $83,320. The average hourly rate is $36.40/hr. Approximately 165 ux designers are employed across 10 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$78,120
2025 BLS Actual
$70,881
2026 Current Est.
$75,715
2021–2027 Growth
+3.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Hawaii (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $78,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,606 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,881 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,715 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,879 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hawaii metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew -9.3% from $78,120 (2021) to $70,881 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,879 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,759 (3.53%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) 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 6.82% CAGR derived from 5-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 |
|---|---|
| Hilo | $70,744 |
| Kahului | $70,854 |
| Pearl City | $72,358 |
| Waipahu | $73,052 |
| East Honolulu | $73,081 |
Best Value Cities for UX Designers in Hawaii
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Hawaii cities offer the most purchasing power for ux designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | $73,810 | 110.961 | $66,519 |
| Honolulu | $79,328 | 119.3 | $66,495 |
| Kaneohe | $74,082 | 119.3 | $62,097 |
| Mililani Town | $73,948 | 119.3 | $61,985 |
| Kailua | $73,902 | 119.3 | $61,946 |
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) | $44,231 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $75,715 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $129,392 |
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 | $79,328 |
| 2 | Kaneohe | $74,082 |
| 3 | Mililani Town | $73,948 |
| 4 | Kailua | $73,902 |
| 5 | Urban Honolulu | $73,810 |
| 6 | East Honolulu | $73,081 |
| 7 | Waipahu | $73,052 |
| 8 | Pearl City | $72,358 |
| 9 | Kahului | $70,854 |
| 10 | Hilo | $70,744 |
More Hawaii Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced ux designers.
Explore More UX Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Chen, MDes
Content Lead
Maria has over 10 years of experience in user experience design. She specializes in usability testing and user research. Maria has worked with tech companies and startups.
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 6.82% 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 ux designer compensation across Hawaii. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more ux designerscontribute 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, 5-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 6.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for ux designers (SOC 15-1255).
Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, MDes, a licensed ux designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov