📊 Employment Overview
Hawaii employs 1,160 mechanical engineering professionals, representing approximately 0.4% of the national workforce in this field. Hawaii ranks #40 nationally for mechanical engineering employment.
Total Employed
1,160
National Share
0.4%
State Ranking
#40
💰 Salary Information
Mechanical Engineering professionals in Hawaii earn competitive salaries across all experience levels, with an average annual salary of $118,000.
Note: Salaries are adjusted for cost of living and local market conditions. Data based on BLS statistics and industry surveys (2024-2025).
🎓 Schools Offering Mechanical Engineering
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🔧 Industry Landscape & Top Employers
Hawaii employs 2,000-2,800 MEs in military/defense (60%), HVAC/MEP (25%), marine/shipyard (10%). Major employers: Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, military installations (Army, Air Force, Marines), HVAC consultants. Tropical climate HVAC engineering critical — cooling, dehumidification, salt-air corrosion protection. Marine systems for Navy vessels. Limited manufacturing but unique climate challenges.
📈 Career Growth & Pathways
Entry $70,000-$88,000, Mid $90,000-$118,000, Senior $118,000-$155,000. Military/defense premium compensation plus cost-of-living adjustments. PE adds 10-12%. Small market means limited advancement — engineers often relocate to mainland for career progression.
💰 Salary vs. Cost of Living
Hawaii 60-80% above national average — among most expensive states. Homes $700,000-$1.2M+. However, island lifestyle, year-round warm weather, ocean access appeal to engineers accepting extreme costs for paradise. Cost-of-living allowances help military/defense engineers.
📜 Licensing & Professional Development
Hawaii Board of Professional Engineers administers PE. HVAC engineers need PE for building design. Tropical climate expertise — salt air corrosion, high humidity, termite-resistant systems. Limited local professional development — small engineering community.
📊 Job Market Outlook
Projected 2-3% growth through 2030. Military stable. HVAC tied to construction/tourism. Expected to add 45-75 positions annually. Tiny market with limited opportunities but unmatched lifestyle for those accepting trade-offs.
🔧 Day in the Life
Naval shipyard engineers maintain submarine systems, ship propulsion. HVAC engineers design tropical climate cooling systems, salt-air resistant equipment. Island lifestyle — beaches, surfing, hiking, warm weather year-round — but extreme costs, geographic isolation, small market mean many engineers eventually leave. For those staying, Hawaii offers paradise despite professional limitations.
🚀 Career Insights
Key information for mechanical engineering professionals in Hawaii.
Top Industries
Major employers in Hawaii include manufacturing, technology, aerospace, and consulting firms.
Required Skills
Strong technical fundamentals, problem-solving abilities, CAD software proficiency, and project management experience.
Certifications
Professional Engineering (PE) license recommended for career advancement. FE exam is the first step.
Job Outlook
Steady growth expected in Hawaii with increasing demand for specialized engineering expertise.
🔄 Compare with Other States
See how Hawaii compares to other top states for mechanical engineering:
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