Salaries in Waipahu CDP, HI
What every job actually pays — cost-of-living adjusted
Updated: February 2026 · 27 occupations · BLS + Census data
You might assume that in a place where nearly 40% of households clear six figures, you’d be swimming in cash. In Waipahu, you’re not. You’re treading water, and the current is strong.
With a cost-of-living index of 110.2, you’re paying a 10% premium over the national average just to exist here. That $98,633 median household income sounds great on paper, but it buys you less than you think. A one-bedroom apartment alone runs $2,038 a month, which chews up a brutal slice of that take-home pay before you even buy groceries. Waipahu isn’t a bargain; it’s a premium-priced market where your paycheck feels smaller the moment it hits your account.
The economy here runs on two rails: healthcare and construction. You’ll find a lot of nurses, electricians, and tradespeople who’ve built solid careers. The presence of major employers like the Queen’s Medical Center and the nearby Naval Base Pearl Harbor creates a steady demand for skilled workers, but it also means competition for housing is fierce. It’s a blue-collar stronghold with a white-collar price tag.
Here’s my honest take: the wages haven’t quite caught up to the cost of living, especially for anyone without a specialized skill. The COL-adjusted average salary is a sobering $53,313. However, if you’re in a high-demand field like software development—where the top salary hits $131,154—or you’re a dual-income household of nurses or accountants, you can absolutely make this work. For everyone else, it’s a financial tightrope walk.
The data below breaks down exactly which jobs pay enough to live comfortably here and which ones leave you struggling.
🏆 Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Waipahu CDP
Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.
Software Developer
Accountant
Registered Nurse
Elementary School Teacher
Electrician
📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 27 Occupations in Waipahu CDP
COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (110/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is above the US average.
| # | Occupation ↕ | Raw Salary ↕ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Software Developer | $131,154 |
| 2 | Accountant | $88,714 |
| 3 | Registered Nurse | $88,703 |
| 4 | Elementary School Teacher | $65,618 |
| 5 | Electrician | $63,433 |
| 6 | Real Estate Agent | $63,361 |
| 7 | Heavy Truck Driver | $54,714 |
| 8 | Nursing Assistant (CNA) | $51,530 |
| 9 | Medical Assistant | $51,530 |
| 10 | Paralegal | $51,530 |
| 11 | Welder | $51,530 |
| 12 | Web Developer | $51,530 |
| 13 | Police Officer | $51,530 |
| 14 | Project Manager | $51,530 |
| 15 | Graphic Designer | $51,530 |
| 16 | Data Analyst | $51,530 |
| 17 | Plumber | $51,530 |
| 18 | Firefighter | $51,530 |
| 19 | Carpenter | $51,530 |
| 20 | Human Resources Specialist | $51,530 |
| 21 | Physical Therapist | $51,530 |
| 22 | Financial Analyst | $51,530 |
| 23 | Pharmacist | $51,530 |
| 24 | HVAC Technician | $51,530 |
| 25 | Construction Manager | $51,530 |
| 26 | Marketing Manager | $51,530 |
| 27 | Dental Hygienist | $51,530 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.
🏙️ Living Costs in Waipahu CDP
🧮 Can You Afford to Live in Waipahu CDP?
Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Waipahu CDP. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.
❓ Waipahu CDP Salary FAQ
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📝 Editor's Verdict: Is Waipahu CDP Worth It?
Here’s the honest verdict: Waipahu isn’t a place you move to get rich on an average salary. At $58,751, you’re earning less than the national average while facing a 110.2 cost-of-living index and $2,038 monthly rent. That math is tough. The standout, unsurprisingly, is tech—Software Developer roles top the list both nominally and COL-adjusted. If you’re in healthcare or the trades, you can make a decent life, but you’ll be budgeting carefully. If you’re considering the move, don’t come without a job lined up—ideally in tech or a specialized field that pays well above the local average. Otherwise, Waipahu will stretch your dollars thin.