Architectural Engineering Degree in Honolulu, HI — Salary & ROI 2026
Architectural Engineering degree analysis for Honolulu, HI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$94K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$133K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.9 yrs
in Honolulu
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Architectural Engineering in Honolulu, HI Overview
Honolulu, Hawaii (pop. 350,964) has 12 colleges offering Architectural 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. Architectural Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Structural Systems and Building Physics skills. The adjusted starting salary in Honolulu is approximately $94,380.
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%
Architectural Engineering Salary in Honolulu (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Honolulu's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architectural Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $140,000 senior level.Honolulu adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Architectural Engineering ROI Calculator for Honolulu
Estimate your return on investment for a Architectural 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
$52,030
vs HS diploma in Honolulu
ROI Payback Period
1.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Honolulu
$1,352,976
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,452,000) minus total education cost ($99,024)
Student Loan Payoff for Architectural Engineering in Honolulu
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Honolulu for Architectural 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 Architectural Engineering in Honolulu
Honolulu offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Architectural 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 Architectural 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
Aerospace Engineering
$97K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$94K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural 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 Architectural Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Honolulu.