Welders Salary

East Honolulu vs Honolulu: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between East Honolulu, HI and Honolulu, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

East Honolulu, HI
$65,368
$31.43/hr
Honolulu, HI
$70,954
$34.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEast Honolulu, HIHonolulu, HI
Median Salary$65,368$70,954
Hourly Rate$31.43$34.11
Entry Level (P10)$47,615$48,325
25th Percentile$56,315$58,985
75th Percentile$73,745$85,117
Top Earner (P90)$94,498$104,000
Total Employed1268
Side-by-side bar chart comparing East Honolulu ($65,368) and Honolulu ($70,954) welder salaries.East HonoluluHonoluluMedian Salary$65,368$70,954Entry Level (P10)$47,615$48,325Top Earner (P90)$94,498$104,000US Median $55,895

Verdict

Honolulu, HI offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to East Honolulu.

The salary gap between East Honolulu and Honolulu is $5,586 (8.55%). Honolulu's median is +26.94% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in East Honolulu spans $46,883,Honolulu spans $55,675. Honolulu has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

East Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$47,615
P25$56,315
Median$65,368
P75$73,745
P90 (Top)$94,498
Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$48,325
P25$58,985
Median$70,954
P75$85,117
P90 (Top)$104,000

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Honolulu ($59,475 effective) pays 8.55% more than East Honolulu ($54,793 effective).

East Honolulu
Nominal: $65,368
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $54,793
Honolulu
Nominal: $70,954
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $59,475

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose East Honolulu if…

  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Honolulu if…

  • Higher median salary ($70,954/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($104,000)
  • Larger job market (68 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,475)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in East Honolulu grew -18.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -18.6% growth in Honolulu over the same period.

East Honolulu, HI

+-18.6%

$77,185 (2024) → $62,860 (2025)

Honolulu, HI

+-18.6%

$83,783 (2024) → $68,232 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: East Honolulu or Honolulu?

Honolulu has a higher median welder salary at $70,954/year, compared to East Honolulu at $65,368/year — a difference of $5,586 (8.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between East Honolulu and Honolulu?

East Honolulu welders earn $31.43/hr while Honolulu hygienists earn $34.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from East Honolulu to Honolulu as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing East Honolulu and Honolulu. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: East Honolulu = $54,793, Honolulu = $59,475), job availability (12 vs 68 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in East Honolulu vs Honolulu?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $47,615 in East Honolulu and $48,325 in Honolulu. The Honolulu area offers higher starting salaries.
JM

Written by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder

Career Analyst

James has over 10 years of experience in welding. He specializes in MIG and TIG welding. He has worked in various manufacturing settings.

Clinically reviewed by Priya Singh, CWIData verified by Liam O'Connor, Welding Instructor

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.99% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder, a licensed welder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov