Human Resources Specialists salary in Hawaii

Hawaii's median wage for Human Resources Specialists was $66,970 in 2024, about 5.9% below the US median of $71,137. That gap is smaller than it might look: Hawaii's cost of living runs roughly 13% above the national baseline, which means the real purchasing gap is wider than the nominal one. In practice, the dollar buys less on Oahu than it does in most states, and the headline wage does not fully account for that.

The spread between the lowest and highest earners is substantial. The 10th percentile came in at $44,060. The 90th percentile reached $108,090. Top earners in this role make about 2.5 times what entry-level peers do, a range that reflects real differences in seniority, specialization, and the type of employer. HR roles at a large hotel group, a healthcare system, or a federal installation pay differently from a small business position.

Employment in this occupation sat at 2,710 statewide in 2024. BLS projects the occupation to grow 6.2% between 2024 and 2034, a rate classified as faster than average. That trajectory holds nationally as well, so Hawaii is not an outlier on outlook, just on cost.

The combination of below-median nominal wages and above-median costs is worth taking seriously. The mean wage of $72,430 sits above the median, which tells us a smaller group of senior specialists pulls the average up. For most practitioners in the state, the median is the more accurate reference point.