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Climate Science Degree in Honolulu, HI — Salary & ROI 2026

Climate Science degree analysis for Honolulu, HI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$87K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$127K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

2.2 yrs

in Honolulu

Cost of Living

121

index (100 = avg)

Climate Science in Honolulu, HI Overview

Honolulu, Hawaii (pop. 350,964) has 12 colleges offering Climate Science 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. Climate Science has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Climate Modeling and Data Analysis skills. The adjusted starting salary in Honolulu is approximately $87,120.

Category

STEM

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%

Climate Science Salary in Honolulu (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Honolulu's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$87,120(+$15,120 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$127,050(+$22,050 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$169,400(+$29,400 vs national)

Note: National average Climate Science salary: $72,000 starting, $105,000 mid-career, $140,000 senior level.Honolulu adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.

Climate Science ROI Calculator for Honolulu

Estimate your return on investment for a Climate Science 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

$44,770

vs HS diploma in Honolulu

ROI Payback Period

2.2 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Honolulu

$21,976

Lifetime earnings premium ($121,000) minus total education cost ($99,024)

Student Loan Payoff for Climate Science in Honolulu

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$99,024
Monthly Payment$1,124
Total Interest$35,904
% of Monthly Income15%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$99,024
Monthly Payment$1,938
Total Interest$17,227
Interest Savings$18,677

Colleges in Honolulu for Climate Science

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 Climate Science in Honolulu

Honolulu offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Climate Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:

NOAANASAEPAClimate Analytics

Key Honolulu Hiring Sectors for STEM

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Climate Science Job Titles

Climate ScientistEnvironmental AnalystResearch Scientist

Climate Science 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 Climate Science ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Honolulu.

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