Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Unemployment rate
1990–2024BLS state series.
Employment
Hawaii employed roughly 670,000 workers in 2023, with tourism-related leisure and hospitality the largest sector.
Total nonfarm payroll jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED HINA).
Unemployment
Hawaii's unemployment rate of 2.9% in 2023 was well below the national average.
Unemployment rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average of seasonally adjusted months (FRED HIUR).
Labor Force
Hawaii's labor force totals about 690,000 people, with a participation rate near 60.5%.
Civilian labor force
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED HILF).
| Indicator | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor force participation rate | 60.5 | 62.5 |
Occupations
Food preparation and service occupations dominate Hawaii's job market, reflecting the state's tourism-driven economy.
Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, civilian employed 16+, C24010 (2020 not released).
Salaries
Hawaii's median annual wage of about $49,900 lags behind its exceptionally high cost of living.
Average weekly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU15000000500000011).
Average hourly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU15000000500000003).
| Indicator | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | 49900 | 48060 |
Remote Work
Around 12.4% of Hawaii workers work from home, limited by a service and tourism-heavy job mix.
Workers who work from home
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of workers 16+, B08301 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Hawaii | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Work from home (%) | 12.4 | 13.8 |
Workforce Participation
About 60.5% of Hawaii adults participate in the labor force, slightly below the U.S. average.
Labor force participation rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED LBSSA15).