Aerospace Engineering Degree in Honolulu, HI — Salary & ROI 2026
Aerospace Engineering degree analysis for Honolulu, HI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$97K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$139K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.8 yrs
in Honolulu
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Aerospace Engineering in Honolulu, HI Overview
Honolulu, Hawaii (pop. 350,964) has 12 colleges offering Aerospace Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 121 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,330/month. Aerospace Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Aerodynamics and Propulsion skills. The adjusted starting salary in Honolulu is approximately $96,800.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$12,186/yr
Private Tuition
$27,060/yr
Room & Board
$12,570/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,299/yr
Unemployment
4%
Graduation Rate
54%
Aerospace Engineering Salary in Honolulu (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Honolulu's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aerospace Engineering salary: $80,000 starting, $115,000 mid-career, $145,000 senior level.Honolulu adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Aerospace Engineering ROI Calculator for Honolulu
Estimate your return on investment for a Aerospace Engineering degree using local Honolulu tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,186 | Private avg: $27,060
Honolulu avg aid: $12,299/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$99,024
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$54,450
vs HS diploma in Honolulu
ROI Payback Period
1.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Honolulu
$1,086,776
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,185,800) minus total education cost ($99,024)
Student Loan Payoff for Aerospace Engineering in Honolulu
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Honolulu for Aerospace Engineering
University of Hawaii at Manoa
public
$12,186/yr
$48,744 total
Chaminade University of Honolulu
private
$27,060/yr
$108,240 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Honolulu Community College
$3,432/yr
Top Employers for Aerospace Engineering in Honolulu
Honolulu offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Aerospace Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Honolulu Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Aerospace Engineering Job Titles
Other Engineering Majors in Honolulu
Petroleum Engineering
$61K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$99K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$61K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$97K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$94K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$61K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering Degree in Honolulu — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Aerospace Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Honolulu.