Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Urban Honolulu, HI: $70.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Urban Honolulu, HI runs $70.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $146,655 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Urban Honolulu's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.0, 11% above national), each hour of work buys what $63.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,990 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Urban Honolulu, the registered nurse hourly pay is projected to reach $70.51 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $49.39 per hour. This competitive rate reflects the region’s high cost of living and the specialized care typical in its healthcare facilities, which include hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home health settings. In practical terms, nursing professionals working part-time—say three days a week—can expect a decent income that allows for a flexible schedule while maximizing their hourly earnings. Additionally, the hourly wage varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at around $41.71, while seasoned nurses can earn up to $76.61 per hour, especially in critical care environments like ICUs and emergency departments. According to the projected data based on 2025 BLS OEWS information, such figures emphasize the robust earning potential for registered nurses in this vibrant urban area.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.71 | $333.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.38 | $411.05 |
| Median (P50) | $70.51 | $564.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.98 | $583.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76.61 | $612.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urban Honolulu
Based on $70.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.51/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urban Honolulu, HI can expect to earn approximately $146,650 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $84,606. With a cost-of-living index of 110.96 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Urban Honolulu.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urban Honolulu
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,820.20 | $12,221 | $146,650 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,692.12 | $7,333 | $87,990 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,128.08 | $4,888 | $58,660 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Urban Honolulu) | $70.51 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Urban Honolulu, HI earn a median of $146,655 per year (2026 est.), which is 42.76% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 19.70% above the Hawaii state average of $122,519.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.51/hr = $87,990/year (purchasing power: $79,298).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $146,650/year (purchasing power: $132,164).
CoL index: 110.961 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$54.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+37.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Urban Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Urban Honolulu grew 23.6% from $54.15/hr (2019) to $66.95/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $74.25/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urban Honolulu 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 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Registered Nurse in Urban Honolulu
Part-time registered nurses in Urban Honolulu who work a three-day week, averaging 24 hours, can realistically take home a competitive salary that supports a comfortable lifestyle. While full-time RNs benefit from increased total earnings, part-time workers may opt for flexible schedules to balance personal and professional commitments, with their annual income being significantly influenced by their choice of shifts and specialties. For those seeking a more variable income, per-diem roles offer rates between $50 and $80 per hour, contingent on expertise and acute care demand. Travel nursing contracts can be particularly lucrative, with weekly billings reaching $2,000 to $4,500 and even higher rates in crisis situations. This variability often leads nursing professionals to consider trade-offs between hourly pay and benefits; while some may pursue higher wages without health insurance, others may prefer stability and comprehensive health coverage. Understanding how different employer types—ranging from acute care hospitals to ambulatory clinics—impact hourly compensation is vital for nursing professionals negotiating contracts in this dynamic Urban Honolulu market.
More salary data for Urban Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage 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 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Urban Honolulu. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov