Photography Degree in Honolulu, HI — Salary & ROI 2026
Photography degree analysis for Honolulu, HI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$63K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
in Honolulu
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Photography in Honolulu, HI Overview
Honolulu, Hawaii (pop. 350,964) has 12 colleges offering Photography 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. Although national enrollment in Photography has been declining, graduates with skills in Lighting and Post-Processing remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Honolulu is approximately $60,500.
Category
Arts & Design
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%
Photography Salary in Honolulu (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Honolulu's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Photography salary: $50,000 starting, $52,000 mid-career, $65,000 senior level.Honolulu adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Photography ROI Calculator for Honolulu
Estimate your return on investment for a Photography 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
$18,150
vs HS diploma in Honolulu
ROI Payback Period
5.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Honolulu
$46,176
Lifetime earnings premium ($145,200) minus total education cost ($99,024)
Student Loan Payoff for Photography in Honolulu
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Honolulu for Photography
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 Photography in Honolulu
Honolulu offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Photography graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Honolulu Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Photography Job Titles
Other Arts & Design Majors in Honolulu
UX Design
$61K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$70K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$61K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$61K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$58K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$61K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$61K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$61K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Photography 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 Photography ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Honolulu.