Photographer Salary in Honolulu, HI — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Honolulu's cost of living (index: 193). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Photographer Salary in Honolulu — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Honolulu
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Honolulu
Honolulu has a metro population of 1,010,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 2.9% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.
Financial Calculators for Honolulu
Other Professions in Honolulu
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Photographer make in Honolulu, HI?
The estimated median salary for a Photographer in Honolulu is $82,546 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $42,770 adjusted by Honolulu's cost of living index (193). The typical salary range runs from $58,807 (25th percentile) to $121,494 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $178,583.
Is Honolulu affordable for a Photographer?
On a $82,546 annual salary, a Photographer in Honolulu would spend approximately 28.7% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,975/month). This is approaching the 30–35% cost-burden threshold; careful budgeting is recommended. The median home price of $900,000 is 10.9× the annual salary.
How does a Photographer's salary compare to Honolulu's overall income?
Honolulu's median household income is $88,800. A Photographer earning the city-adjusted median of $82,546 earns 7.0% less than the typical Honolulu household income. This may reflect that the profession is entry-level or that Honolulu has a particularly high median household income due to high-earning industries.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.