Hawaii Teaching Salaries and Benefits
The average Hawaii teacher salary ranges from about $53,160 for kindergarten teachers to $74,310 for high school teachers, according to BLS data. Pay is set through collective bargaining with the Hawaii State Teachers Association rather than a fixed step schedule, and a 2023-2027 contract added a new top salary class and a 14.5% raise over four years. Teachers also qualify for a hybrid ERS pension and EUTF health coverage.
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Nearly 13,000 teachers work in Hawaii’s public schools, and Hawaii teacher salary isn’t set by a fixed statewide step schedule the way it is in many other states. Instead, the Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) negotiates salary increases directly with the Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE) through a collective bargaining agreement. The current contract, covering school years 2023 through 2027, delivers a 14.5% raise over four years and adds a new Class 8 to the salary schedule.
Learn more about becoming a teacher. Contact schools offering teacher education and certification programs in Hawaii.
Hawaii Teacher Salaries by Grade Level
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hawaii’s median annual teacher salaries vary by grade level. Kindergarten teachers earn less on average than teachers in the upper grades, while secondary school teachers earn the most.
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $53,160 | $58,230 |
| Elementary School Teachers | $71,410 | $70,670 |
| Middle School Teachers | $69,230 | $71,870 |
| High School Teachers | $74,310 | $73,230 |
| Occupation | Job Growth (2024-2034) | Avg. Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | 1.6% | 40 |
| Elementary School Teachers | 1.4% | 350 |
| Middle School Teachers | 1.3% | 190 |
| High School Teachers | 1.7% | 440 |
Unlike the national trend, where BLS projects a slight decline in teacher employment overall through 2034, Hawaii’s job growth is positive across every grade band, driven largely by the state’s ongoing struggle to fill hard-to-staff positions.
Salary Differentials for Hard-to-Staff Positions
Hawaii offers shortage differentials on top of base salary for licensed teachers in certain high-need areas. These stack with the standard salary schedule and don’t require a separate application beyond meeting the qualifying criteria:
- Special Education: $10,000 per year
- Hard-to-Staff Locations: $3,000 to $8,000 per year, depending on the school
- Hawaiian Language Immersion Programs: $8,000 per year
HIDOE also offers a relocation bonus for newly hired teachers, funded until the allocated budget is exhausted each school year. Both the differentials and relocation bonus are renewed annually through HSTA memos, so confirm current eligibility and amounts with HIDOE’s Teacher Recruitment office before counting on a specific figure.
Retiring in Hawaii
Teachers in Hawaii are enrolled in the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS), which administers pension benefits for all state and county employees, including teachers. Most teachers hired since July 1, 2006 are enrolled in the ERS Hybrid Plan, where both the teacher and HIDOE contribute a share of salary to a pension fund. As a Hybrid Plan member, you contribute 8% of your monthly base salary.
Retirement eligibility, the pension multiplier, and vesting requirements depend on when you became an ERS member, not just your age and years of service:
| Membership Date | Normal Retirement | Multiplier | Vesting |
|---|---|---|---|
| On or after July 1, 2012 | Age 65 with 10 years of service, or age 60 with 30 years | 1.75% | 10 years |
| Before July 1, 2012 | Age 62 with 5 years of service, or age 55 with 30 years | 2.0% | 5 years |
Your pension is calculated using this formula:
Years of Credited Service × Average Final Compensation × Benefit Percentage = Maximum Monthly Allowance
For example, a teacher with a membership date after June 30, 2012 who retires at 65 with 20 years of service and a monthly Average Final Compensation of $2,500 would receive: 1.75% × 20 years × $2,500, or $875 per month.
Planning for retirement can feel overwhelming, especially with a tiered system like Hawaii’s. The ERS provides pre-retirement counseling sessions and a benefits calculator to help you estimate your pension under different retirement dates. Contact the Employees’ Retirement System directly to confirm your membership date, plan type, and years of creditable service.
Health Insurance Through EUTF
Hawaii teachers access health coverage through the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF), which negotiates medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision plans for state and county employees. Coverage extends to a spouse or partner and dependents under age 26.
EUTF’s plan lineup changes from year to year through open enrollment, and some legacy plans have closed to new subscribers. As of the 2026-2027 plan year, active teachers choose from:
- HMSA 75/25 PPO — flexibility to see in-network or out-of-network providers, with a higher out-of-pocket cost for out-of-network care
- Kaiser Permanente HMO plans — in-network care only, except in emergencies
- CVS 80/20 PPO — the prescription drug plan paired with EUTF medical coverage
The HMSA 90/10 PPO closed to new subscribers effective July 1, 2026, and the HMSA HMO plan closed to new subscribers effective July 1, 2025. Teachers already enrolled in either plan as of June 30 of their respective closure year can keep their coverage and adjust dependents, but can’t switch back once they leave. If you’re weighing EUTF plans as a new hire, confirm current options and premiums directly with EUTF, since availability shifts each open enrollment period. If you’re already certified in another state and considering a move, review Hawaii’s teacher reciprocity requirements to see how your existing license transfers.
Typical services covered under EUTF medical plans include:
- Primary care visits
- Prescription drug coverage
- Physical examinations
- Mammograms and other preventive screenings
- Maternity services
- Inpatient and outpatient hospital services
- Mental health services
For current plan details, premiums, and enrollment windows, visit the EUTF website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is teacher pay determined in Hawaii?
Hawaii doesn’t use a fixed statewide salary schedule based on years of experience alone. Instead, HSTA negotiates salary rates and increases directly with HIDOE through a collective bargaining agreement, currently in effect through the 2026-2027 school year.
Do Hawaii teachers get extra pay for hard-to-staff schools?
Yes. Licensed teachers in Special Education, Hawaiian Language Immersion Programs, and designated hard-to-staff school locations receive annual differentials ranging from $3,000 to $10,000, on top of base salary.
What retirement plan do Hawaii teachers have?
Most teachers hired since July 1, 2006 are ERS Hybrid Plan members, contributing 8% of base salary toward a pension. Retirement age, the pension multiplier, and vesting depend on your ERS membership date, with different rules for members who joined before versus after July 1, 2012.
What health insurance is available to Hawaii teachers?
Teachers choose from EUTF-negotiated plans, currently including the HMSA 75/25 PPO, Kaiser Permanente HMO options, and the CVS 80/20 PPO for prescription coverage. Some older plans, like the HMSA 90/10 PPO and HMSA HMO, have closed to new subscribers.
- Pay is bargained, not scheduled — Hawaii salary increases come from HSTA’s collective bargaining agreement with HIDOE rather than a fixed statewide step chart.
- Shortage differentials add real money — Special Education, Hawaiian Language Immersion, and hard-to-staff assignments carry annual differentials of $3,000 to $10,000.
- Retirement rules depend on your ERS membership date — teachers who joined before July 1, 2012 have a different retirement age, multiplier, and vesting period than those who joined after.
- EUTF health plans change over time — some legacy plans have closed to new enrollees, so confirm current options directly with EUTF before assuming what’s available.
Find accredited teacher certification programs in Hawaii, including application requirements and licensing timelines for your certification path.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wage estimates and 2024-2034 employment projections for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, and High School Teachers, reflect state and national data, not school-specific outcomes. State or district job-growth projections are sourced separately from national BLS outlook data. Conditions vary by school sector, subject area, and district. Data accessed July 2026.
