UX Designer Salary in Kahului, HI: $70,854 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Kahului, HI earns a median $70,854/year (≈ $34.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Kahului's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $59,391 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For a UX designer in Kahului, Hawaii, the median salary is projected to be $70,854 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $83,320. Compensation in the area spans from $41,095 at the lower end (P10) to a high of $109,824 (P90), revealing a diverse salary range for those in the profession. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living, highlight the distinct trade-offs that designers experience when choosing between management and individual contributor (IC) paths. In this market, while the IC track can peak with higher pay, management roles may simply offer different non-monetary benefits, shaping the career journeys of design professionals in the region.
About the Kahului Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($104,700) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,095 | $19.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,015 | $24.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,854 | $34.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,692 | $43.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,824 | $52.80 |
Median Salary Position
14.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kahului
In Kahului, HI, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,729 (2026 est.). At $70,854, the local median is 14.96% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kahului: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kahului UX Designer Pay Compares
Kahului median: $70,854/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kahului Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $74,583 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -14.96% less |
UX Designers in Kahului, HI earn a median of $70,854 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.96% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 5.00% below the Hawaii state average of $74,583.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kahului has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kahului, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $70,854 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $59,391 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$50,953
2025 BLS Actual
$66,330
2026 Current Est.
$70,854
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Kahului (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $50,953 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,848 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,712 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,854 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,686 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kahului metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $50,953 (2021) to $66,330 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,686 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,733 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kahului 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $41,095 – $51,015 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,015 – $70,854 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,854 – $90,692 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,692 – $109,824 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Kahului
Kahului employs about 5 UX designers, which reflects a relatively small but potentially tight-knit community in the field. The local cost of living index at 119.3 suggests that designers’ take-home salaries may be impacted by higher living expenses, necessitating careful financial planning relative to their income. For those seeking the highest pay, tech companies often yield better salaries, especially firms that are established players in the industry. However, the disparity in compensation may also stem from factors such as company tier, specialty focus, and the designer's portfolio strength. To maximize earning potential in Kahului, designers should consider targeting roles in top-tier firms, building specialized skill sets (especially in high-demand areas like design systems), and effectively showcasing robust project contributions in their portfolios.
More salary data for Kahului, HI:
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
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 $66,330 for ux designersin the Kahului metropolitan area. A 6.82% 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 Kahului 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 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