Mechanical Engineers in Hawaii. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Hawaii's median wage for Mechanical Engineers was $95,250 in 2024, about 9% below the national median of $104,651. That gap is real, but it tells only part of the story.
The spread between bottom and top earners is notable. Engineers at the 10th percentile earned $74,180, while those at the 90th earned $132,950. Top earners in Hawaii make roughly 1.8 times what entry-level peers make, a range that likely reflects the mix of experience levels and project types available in a smaller state market.
Hawaii's overall cost of living sits 13.2% above the national baseline. After adjusting for that, the $95,250 median translates to closer to $84,100 in national-dollar terms. That puts Hawaii's real purchasing power for this occupation noticeably below the nominal US median, not just below it in dollar terms. The $132,950 that top earners take home similarly compresses once local prices enter the picture.
On the growth side, BLS projects employment for Mechanical Engineers to grow faster than average between 2024 and 2034, at 9% nationally. Hawaii's total employment in this occupation was 460 in 2024, so the state's engineering labor market is small by mainland standards. Defense infrastructure, renewable energy projects, and marine engineering tend to drive demand locally, though the base remains limited compared to industrial states.
Salary distribution
Where Hawaii mechanical engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $85,820 and $119,700, with a median of $98,740.
Mechanical Engineers in Hawaii: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 9 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $80,000. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 7 | $80,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 1 | $98,082 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $117,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Mechanical Engineers in Hawaii. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nan, Inc. | Project Engineer-Mechanical | 5 | $80,000 |
| California Association for Research in Astronomy | Mechanical Engineer II | 1 | $117,000 |
| Hitachi Rail Honolulu JV | Associate Wayside & On Board Service Engineer | 1 | $98,082 |
| Notkin Hawaii Inc. | Mechanical Engineer | 1 | $76,648 |
| Symbrosia Inc | Lead Research Engineer | 1 | $81,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Mechanical Engineer II at California Association for Research in Astronomy$117,000KamuelaWage Level IVDecided Jan 21, 2026I-203-26013-555012
- Project Engineer - Mechanical Engineer at Nan, Inc.$80,000HiloWage Level IDecided May 19, 2025I-200-25132-964671
- Mechanical Engineer at Notkin Hawaii Inc.$76,648HonoluluWage Level IDecided Apr 30, 2025I-200-25113-896685
- Associate Wayside & On Board Service Engineer at Hitachi Rail Honolulu JV$98,082Pearl CityWage Level IIDecided Mar 26, 2025I-200-25078-788548
- Lead Research Engineer at Symbrosia Inc$81,000Kailua-KonaWage Level IDecided Feb 18, 2025I-201-25041-679844
- Project Engineer - Mechanical Engineer at Nan, Inc.$80,000HiloWage Level IDecided May 16, 2025I-200-25130-962013
- Project Engineer-Mechanical at Nan, Inc.$80,000HonoluluWage Level IDecided Apr 28, 2025I-200-25112-887650
- Project Engineer-Mechanical at Nan, Inc.$90,000HonoluluWage Level IDecided Apr 17, 2025I-200-25100-853599
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Mechanical Engineers pay by experience level in Hawaii
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Mechanical Engineers in Hawaii, by industry
Median offered wage across 3 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Government and public sector leads with a median of $117,000.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government and public sector | California Association for Research in Astronomy | 1 | $117,000 |
| Manufacturing | Hitachi Rail Honolulu JV | 1 | $98,082 |
| Professional services | Notkin Hawaii Inc. | 1 | $76,648 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Hawaii over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.7 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Design
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Mechanical
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Physics
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
- 02
Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
- 03
Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
- 04
Develop, coordinate, or monitor all aspects of production, including selection of manufacturing methods, fabrication, or operation of product designs.
- 05
Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.
- 06
Develop or test models of alternate designs or processing methods to assess feasibility, sustainability, operating condition effects, potential new applications, or necessity of modification.
- 07
Recommend the use of utility or energy services that minimize carbon footprints.
- 08
Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+9.0%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Mechanical Engineers in Hawaii?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in Hawaii is $98,740.
- How does Hawaii compare to the national median for Mechanical Engineers?
- The Hawaii median is -8.3% versus the BLS national figure of $107,639.
- What is the salary range for Mechanical Engineers in Hawaii?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $66,110 and the 90th-percentile at $141,500, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Mechanical Engineers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 9.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Mechanical Engineers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.