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February 6, 2023
Hawaii is a top travel nurse destination and not because of the high salaries but because of the sun, sand, surf, and adventures. Hawaii is home to some of the world’s best surfing, crystal blue water, white sandy beaches, and massive volcanos.
Travel nurses will find contracts throughout the islands that seem to have high take-home pay, but unfortunately, the cost of living will bring your monthly salary down substantially. Most travel nurses do not take contracts in Hawaii for the pay but rather for the experiences. ATV adventures, surfing on the North Shore, rappelling down sheer cliffs, and visiting the historic USS Arizona monument are all possibilities in Hawaii.
What are you waiting for? The Aloha State is calling you.
Looking for open travel nurse assignments in Hawaii? Speak with a recruiter today!
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurses in Hawaii earn an average annual salary of $106,530 or $51.22 per hour which is more than the national average.
In fact, the top 90% of nurses in Hawaii earn $129,670. The lowest 10% earn an average salary of $75,380 which is just below the national average and still significantly more in some areas of the country.
Unfortunately, the BLS does not differentiate between staff nurses and travel nurses, though the compensation for travel nurses is usually higher and directly reflective of the ongoing need for nurses.
Hawaii is a highly desirable location for travel nurses, and salaries are reflective of that. However, remember that because Hawaii is SO desirable to travel nurses, the pay packages might be less than on the mainland because of the influx of interest in positions. It is important to note that the cost of living is also significantly higher in Hawaii which is reflected in the pay.
Indeed.com reports an average base salary of $2,673 per week or $62.61 per hour with top-paying locations in Waimea, Kailua, Hilo, Honokaa, and Kealakekua. Here’s how they break down:
| Hourly Wage | Weekly Wage | Monthly Wage | |
| Waimea | $99.70 | $4,257 | $16,471 |
| Kailua | $97.70 | $4,171 | $16,140 |
| Hilo | $60.94 | $2,602 | $10,068 |
| Honokaa | $58.85 | $2,513 | $9,723 |
| Kealakekua | $56.38 | $2,407 | $9,314 |
The highest-paid travel nursing specialties depend on a variety of factors including location within the state, demand, and urgency of needs. In Hawaii, the pay is less in major cities for all specialties. The overall pay is based on demand, especially for specific specialties. As the demand for travel nurses increases, wages also increase.
Historically, medical-surgical nurses, long-term care nurses, and clinic nurses have seen significantly lower rates than other specialties in Hawaii. Travel nurses with additional certifications such as CCRN or RNC, and skill sets such as ECMO or dialysis training will earn higher wages. Travel nurses with BLS, ACLS, and PALS will not see a bump in pay as those are standard certifications that are needed for most nursing positions.
Generally, top-paying travel nurse specialties are:
Find open positions today for your specialty.
Hawaii has only 28 hospitals across all islands. Four meet high U.S. News standards and are ranked within the state. According to the U.S. News & World Report, these four hospitals were evaluated and ranked. The top five hospitals in Hawaii as of 2022-2023 were as follows:
1. Queen’s Medical Center – Honolulu
2. Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center
Hawaii has always had an extremely high cost of living because the majority of supplies including food need to be imported from the mainland. Because Hawaii is completely surrounded by water, all supplies need to either be shipped in or flown in which increases the costs exponentially. Additionally, because of its tropical location, investors continue to buy properties on the island which drives up housing costs.
Cost of living is defined as the amount of money needed to cover basic expenses such as food, taxes, healthcare, and housing. Despite all travel nurse companies providing a stipend for housing, at times it has shown to not be enough. Furthermore, depending on the location – hotels may not be a viable long-term solution.
According to Bestplaces.net, the overall cost of living in Hawaii is 65.7% higher than the national average. It’s important to remember that Hawaii has eight main islands and the cost of living is different on each island. For example, the cost of living in Maui is exponentially higher than the national average. On the other hand, Oahu has a lower cost of living than the national average.
Travel nurses do struggle at times to find housing in Hawaii because it is such a desirable location. Rent prices in Hawaii are significantly more than in other parts of the country. A studio apartment in Hawaii averages $1,457 per month while the national average is $949. A one-bedroom apartment will cost roughly $1,609 while the national average cost is $1,048.
Payscale.com reports on the cost of living in major Hawaii cities including the median home price, median rent, and monthly energy bill. As expected groceries are also significantly higher than the national average.
| National Average | Median Home Price | Median Rent | Energy Bill | Groceries | |
| Honolulu | 222% higher | $1,281,232 | $3,914 | $270.60 | 56% higher |
| Hilo | 48% higher | $589,622 | $1,801 | $327.62 | 53% higher |
| Papaikou | 48% higher | $589,622 | $1,801 | $357.62 | 53% higher |
| Captain Cook | 48% higher | $589,622 | $1,801 | $357.62 | 53% higher |
With any career, there are pros and cons to the job. Travel nursing is no exception. It’s important to take into consideration your own personal circumstances:
Hawaii is a dream location for travel nurses. Nurses typically work three days a week which leaves plenty of time to explore the islands. There are sandy beaches, crystal blue water, some of the best surfing in the world, and insane landscapes.
Hawaii’s islands are known for some of the most iconic national monuments and parks including Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. The highlight of the memorial is a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial which allows visitors the opportunity to view the historic sunken battleship that was targeted during WWII. Volcano National Park encompasses the summits of two of the world’s most active volcanoes- Kīlauea and Mauna Loa – and is a designated International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Completely surrounded by water, Hawaii has no shortage of beaches. Travel nurses can spend days relaxing on white or black sandy beaches and catch some of the best waves in the world. The famous North Shore on O’ahu is more than seven miles and is famous for hosting the world’s premier surfing competition. Travel nurses interested in surfing will want to land contracts between November and February as waves can swell to almost thirty feet. But don’t worry – if you are new to surfing there are plenty of other beaches that are ideal locations to learn.
All of the main islands have plenty of outdoor activities but Kauai nicknamed the Garden Island is the lushest. Serving as the backdrop for Jurassic Park and other outdoor adventure movies, Kauai is considered a paradise on earth to many. Home to Waimea Canyon, also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, can only fully be seen by aircraft. There are waterfalls, red volcanic dirt, and vibrant green scenery.
Hawaii’s islands have plenty of outdoor hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts, but O’ahu has the best hiking trails that cover the two volcanic mountain ranges. Kauai has the famous Kauai’s Na Pali Coast trail which is ideal for advanced hikers because it is 22 miles long with multiple elevation changes on the edge of the cliffs.
The real question is – why NOT Hawaii? Hawaii is the perfect location for adventure-loving travel nurses. Travel nurse salaries are higher in Hawaii, but that is also because the cost of living is higher than on the mainland. Most supplies and groceries have to be flown in, and rent is also higher than in most other locations.
Hawaii has the sun, sand, and nature. Nurses that are not typically into outdoor activities will still find Hawaii a desirable location. Unfortunately, because Hawaii is such a desirable location, travel nurses may find it difficult to find the perfect contract. Seasoned and newer travel nurses may have to accept a less-than-ideal contract, especially if Hawaii is a must on your travel nurse bucket list. But don’t worry – the excitement and adventure that awaits you in The Aloha State will make it all worthwhile.
Ready to start your adventure? Sign up today and start traveling next week.
