CNA Salary in Hawaii

The most reliable statewide pay benchmark for nursing assistants in Hawaii comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program (SOC 31-1131). The BLS reports a median annual wage of $44,830 and a mean of $45,480 for Hawaii nursing assistants, with the 10th percentile at $17.12/hr and the 90th at $25.55/hr.

Job-board sites provide a more current but less rigorous snapshot. ZipRecruiter lists an average of $43,360 per year ($20.85/hr) as of April 2026. Indeed reports $25.95/hr (March 2026), a figure that typically includes overtime. Vivian Health lists $18.13/hr (March 2026). When sources differ, the BLS figure is the most methodologically sound baseline; job-board data is useful for seeing what employers are posting right now.

Those numbers look strong on paper. But Hawaii also has the highest cost of living of any U.S. state, and that changes the picture significantly, which we break down in detail below.

If you’re still exploring what a CNA does before looking at salary data, start there. Otherwise, here’s what the numbers actually look like for Hawaii CNA programs and beyond.

How Much Do CNAs Make in Hawaii?

The average CNA salary in Hawaii is $43,360 per year ($20.85/hr), based on ZipRecruiter data from April 2026. That figure represents a mid-point, with roughly half of Hawaii CNA positions paying above it and half paying below.

Pay Period	Low End	Average	High End
Hourly	$16.97	$20.85	$23.46
Monthly	$2,942	$3,613	$4,067
Annual	$35,300	$43,360	$48,800

Source: ZipRecruiter, April 2026

Indeed reports a higher average of $25.95 per hour for Hawaii CNAs as of March 2026. That figure typically includes overtime pay averages, which push hourly rates above base-pay calculations. ZipRecruiter ($20.85/hr) likely reflects base pay for posted positions without overtime.

Vivian Health lists a lower average of $18.13/hr as of March 2026. Vivian’s dataset skews toward permanent placements sourced through travel nursing platforms, which tend to feature lower base-wage positions. It’s useful as a floor estimate, not a market average. Vivian does note that Hawaii CNA pay is 2% above the U.S. national average, a modest premium given what rent costs on Oahu.

When sources conflict, the honest approach is to present the range: Hawaii CNA hourly rates run $18.13 to $25.95 per hour, depending on the data source, facility type, and whether overtime is included. The statewide average from the largest dataset (ZipRecruiter) sits at $20.85/hr.

Those numbers look competitive compared to the national average of $17.19/hr (BLS). But Hawaii’s cost of living is the highest in the nation, and that gap changes the math significantly. The breakdown below shows exactly what $43,360 actually affords in Hawaii.

CNA Salary by Island and Metro Area

CNA pay in Hawaii varies by island. The most granular salary data comes from ZipRecruiter’s location-level breakdowns, though island-specific figures outside Honolulu and Kauai are limited.

Location	Average Hourly	Average Annual	Notes
Honolulu (Oahu)	$27.00	~$56,160	Largest job market; may include higher-paying hospital roles
Maui County	~$20.85*	~$43,360*	Limited island-specific data; statewide proxy used
Hawaii County (Big Island)	~$20.85*	~$43,360*	Hilo is primary healthcare hub; lower rents than Oahu
Kapaa (Kauai)	$48.42	~$100,714	Almost certainly reflects travel CNA contract rates, not permanent staff pay

Island-specific salary data for Maui and Hawaii County is limited. Figures marked with * use the statewide average as a baseline. Source: ZipRecruiter, April 2026

Honolulu (Oahu)

Honolulu is where most Hawaii CNA jobs are. Oahu has the highest concentration of hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies in the state. The $27.00/hr ZipRecruiter average for Honolulu is higher than the statewide figure, likely because the Honolulu job pool includes more hospital CNA positions, which pay above average.

If you’re comparing islands on pay alone, Honolulu posts the strongest numbers for permanent staff. Job availability is also highest on Oahu. If your priority is having options, this is where the market is deepest.

Maui County

Maui has a smaller healthcare infrastructure than Oahu, with fewer large hospitals but steady demand in skilled nursing and assisted living. Island-specific salary data is limited, so the statewide average of $20.85/hr is the best proxy available. If you’re already certified in another state and considering a move to Maui, check our guide to transfer your CNA certification to Hawaii before making a decision.

Hawaii County (Big Island)

Hilo is the primary healthcare hub on the Big Island, with a few hospitals and a number of long-term care facilities. Pay is likely near the statewide average or slightly below, based on the rural/urban pay patterns seen across healthcare occupations nationally. The meaningful trade-off: rent on the Big Island is lower than Honolulu, which affects how far your paycheck goes.

Kauai County

The Kapaa figure of $48.42/hr from ZipRecruiter almost certainly reflects travel CNA contract rates, not permanent staff pay. Travel CNA contracts in Hawaii regularly advertise $30-$48+/hr, but these rates bundle housing stipends into the hourly figure and represent temporary assignments, not permanent jobs. Permanent staff CNAs on Kauai likely earn close to the statewide average of $20.85/hr.

This distinction matters because some salary aggregators mix travel and staff pay without flagging the difference, producing inflated “averages” that don’t reflect what a permanent resident CNA would actually earn.

CNA Pay by Facility Type

Where you work matters as much as where you live when it comes to CNA pay in Hawaii.

CNA pay in Hawaii varies by facility type. While Hawaii-specific breakdowns by setting aren’t published, the pattern is consistent nationally and holds in Hawaii:

Hospitals pay the most. Acute care requires higher skill demands and faster patient turnover. Many Hawaii hospital systems, including The Queen’s Health System and Hawaii Pacific Health (Kapiolani, Pali Momi, Straub), offer shift differentials for nights, weekends, and holidays. Some operate under union contracts that set minimum pay floors above market rate.

Skilled nursing and long-term care facilities are the largest employers. They pay less than hospitals but offer stable schedules, consistent caseloads, and the most entry-level openings. If you’re just starting out and want predictable work, SNF/LTC is where most positions are.

Home health and assisted living pay the least but offer more schedule flexibility and lower-acuity patients. Home health roles may include mileage reimbursement.

If maximizing hourly pay is your priority, target hospital positions. If schedule flexibility matters more, home health or assisted living may be a better fit. Not certified yet? Our guide to becoming a CNA in Hawaii covers approved training programs by island.

CNA Pay by Experience Level

Experience matters for CNA pay, but the increases are modest compared to other healthcare roles. The bigger pay jumps come from facility changes, shift choices, and certifications, not passive time on the job.

Based on ZipRecruiter’s $35,300-$48,800 annual range (April 2026):

Entry-Level (0-1 years): Expect to start near the lower end of the range, roughly $17-$18.28/hr ($35,300-$38,000/year). Most new CNAs start at or slightly below the statewide average. Hawaii’s minimum wage is $16/hr as of January 2026 (Act 114, SLH 2022), so entry-level CNA pay of $17-$18/hr represents only a narrow premium above the legal floor.

Mid-Career (2-5 years): Pay typically reaches the statewide average zone of $20-$22/hr ($41,600-$45,760/year). At this stage, your facility type and shift choices matter more than years of experience for determining actual earnings.

Experienced (5+ years): Senior CNAs can earn $22-$25+/hr ($45,760-$52,000+/year), especially in hospital settings or with additional certifications. Switching employers is often the fastest way to jump pay grades. CNAs who change facilities frequently earn 10-15% more than those who stay in the same position for years.

The fastest way to boost your hourly rate is adding certifications, not waiting for annual raises. Patient Care Technician (PCT) or phlebotomy certification can add $1-$3/hr in Hawaii facilities that value multi-skilled staff. EKG technician certification is another option, particularly in hospital settings.

Before you calculate whether that earnings potential works for your situation, you need to see what those numbers actually buy in Hawaii.

Hawaii CNA Salary vs. Cost of Living

Hawaii CNA salaries look strong on paper. But Hawaii has the highest cost of living of any U.S. state, roughly 85-90% above the national average according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) cost-of-living index. That gap changes everything about what $43,360 actually means.

What $43,360 Actually Looks Like in Hawaii

At $43,360 per year, your monthly gross is about $3,613. After federal income tax and Hawaii state income tax (Hawaii’s rate for this income bracket runs approximately 7.2-8.25%), you’re looking at roughly $2,900-$3,100 in take-home pay per month.

In Honolulu, median rent for a one-bedroom apartment runs $1,800-$2,200 per month (HUD Fair Market Rent data, 2026 estimates for Honolulu County). That leaves $700-$1,300 per month for food, transportation, utilities, healthcare, and everything else.

On the Big Island, rents in Hilo are lower, typically $1,200-$1,500 per month for a one-bedroom. The same salary gives you $1,400-$1,900 per month after rent, more room than Honolulu, though still tight by most mainland standards.

At $43,360 per year, Hawaii CNA pay has roughly the same purchasing power as $23,400 on the mainland. The national CNA average is $35,760 per year (BLS). In real terms, Hawaii CNAs earn below the national average once cost of living is factored in. That gap is why the strategies in the next section matter.

CNA Pay Compared to Other Entry-Level Healthcare Roles

CNA pay sits in the middle of the entry-level healthcare ladder in Hawaii. It’s not the lowest-paid role in healthcare, but the bigger pay jumps require additional training.

Role	Typical Hourly (Hawaii)	Additional Training
Home Health Aide	$15-$18	Less than CNA (no state exam)
CNA	$18-$25	CNA training + state exam
Medical Assistant	$18-$22	MA program (9-12 months)
Phlebotomist	$20-$24	4-12 weeks certification
LPN	$25-$32	12-18 months LPN program

Estimates based on ZipRecruiter, Indeed, and BLS data for Hawaii; ranges vary by facility type and experience.

For CNA scholarships that can reduce your upfront training costs and improve your return on investment, check the options available in Hawaii. Understanding CNA patient ratios also matters. Higher patient loads affect both workload and how much overtime becomes available to you.

The cost-of-living reality is honest but not hopeless. There are specific strategies Hawaii CNAs use to increase their take-home pay, and some can boost your income by 20-30% without changing careers.

How to Increase Your CNA Pay in Hawaii

If the salary data above has you questioning whether CNA work in Hawaii is financially sustainable, this section addresses that directly. The story doesn’t end at base pay.

1. Pick up night and weekend shifts. Most Hawaii healthcare facilities pay shift differentials of $1-$3/hr for nights and $1-$2.50/hr for weekends. A CNA earning $20/hr base earns $21-$23/hr on nights, adding roughly $300-$500 per month on a consistent night schedule.

2. Work available overtime. At 1.5x your base rate, overtime is the fastest income boost. Eight hours of weekly overtime at $20/hr base adds roughly $960 per month before taxes. According to Indeed data from March 2026, Hawaii CNA workers average $4,500 in overtime earnings per year, available because Hawaii’s healthcare staffing shortage creates consistent demand for extra hours.

3. Consider travel CNA contracts. Travel CNA positions in Hawaii advertise $30-$48+/hr, though these rates bundle housing stipends and are temporary assignments (typically 8-13 weeks). If you’re flexible on location and schedule, travel contracts can significantly boost short-term income. They require existing certification and aren’t a substitute for stable employment.

4. Add certifications. PCT (Patient Care Technician), phlebotomy, or EKG technician certification can add $1-$3/hr in facilities that value multi-skilled CNAs. These programs typically take 4-12 weeks and cost $500-$1,500 in Hawaii. For resources on CNA training and certification paths that build on your existing credential, the options are broader than most CNAs realize.

5. Use CNA as a stepping stone. The biggest pay jump isn’t within CNA roles. Moving from CNA to LPN adds roughly $8/hr in Hawaii (CNA ~$20/hr to LPN ~$28/hr). Moving from LPN to RN adds another $15-$20/hr (RN ~$45+/hr). Several Hawaii community colleges offer practical nursing programs that build on CNA experience, including Kapiolani Community College on Oahu and UH Maui College. Confirm current bridge options, prerequisites, and admissions requirements directly with the school before planning around a specific pathway. For the full breakdown of advancement paths and program options, see how to become a CNA in Hawaii.

If you’re still selecting a program, how to choose a CNA program that fits your schedule and budget helps you start right. For broader career planning, CNA life and career resources covers the full picture.

These strategies address the income side. Understanding demand and job growth helps you negotiate from a position of strength.

CNA Job Outlook in Hawaii

CNA employment in Hawaii is projected to grow 18% through 2030, well above the national average for healthcare occupations. Two factors drive that growth.

Hawaii has one of the oldest median-age populations in the country, and demand for long-term care and home health services grows directly with the number of older residents needing daily assistance. That demographic trend doesn’t reverse.

Hawaii’s geographic isolation and high cost of living also create persistent recruitment and retention challenges for healthcare employers. Facilities have trouble attracting CNAs from the mainland and struggle to retain staff once they realize how far CNA pay stretches against Hawaii’s living costs. That turnover is part of why 18% growth through 2030 includes both new positions and replacement demand for workers who leave.

High demand creates real leverage for you. Facilities competing for CNAs offer signing bonuses, shift differentials, overtime access, and tuition reimbursement, strategies that effectively raise your total compensation above the base wage. But high demand also reflects an ongoing retention problem: when staffing is thin and patient loads are unsafe, CNAs leave. At Hawaii’s average of $20.85/hr, tolerance for poor conditions is even lower than in higher-paying travel contracts. Demand is concentrated on Oahu, but outer islands face their own persistent shortage dynamics.

For readers weighing long-term career stability, why CNA jobs are among the most AI-proof careers is worth reading before committing.