AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 30, 2026
Overview
According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment and wage trends in Hawaii for 2026 reflect both stability and ongoing shifts across different sectors. This explainer reviews the most recent available figures for labor force size, employment levels, sector performance, and wage growth, using official BLS releases.
Employment Levels
Hawaii's civilian labor force—meaning all persons either working or actively seeking work—has gradually increased through 2026. In April 2026, the labor force stood at approximately 687,900, rising to a preliminary estimate of 694,900 by September 2026. Similarly, the number of employed individuals increased from 671,000 in April to 675,500 in September 2026. Over the same period, the unemployment rate in Hawaii edged up slightly from 2.4% in April to a preliminary 2.8% in September 2026. These figures suggest relatively robust labor market participation with only a modest uptick in unemployment. For additional details, see the BLS Hawaii Economy at a Glance.
Sector Breakdown
- Total nonfarm wage and salary employment hovered around 642,400 to 645,700 throughout 2026, showing minimal change on a 12-month basis (about 0.1% year-over-year as of September).
- Education & Health Services experienced steady year-over-year growth, with sector employment increasing by 2.2% as of September 2026.
- Leisure & Hospitality showed moderate growth of 1.7% annually—but actual employment numbers varied month to month.
- Some sectors, such as Manufacturing and Mining, Logging, and Construction, saw employment declines over the year, down 3.8% and 1.0% respectively.
- Sectors like Trade, Transportation, and Utilities; Financial Activities; and Other Services also saw slight year-over-year decreases.
Detailed data for each sector is accessible through the BLS Hawaii Economy at a Glance dashboard.
Wage and Compensation Trends
The BLS Employment Cost Index (ECI) measures changes in labor costs, including both wages/salaries and benefits. As of September 2026, the ECI data (which covers the U.S. broadly but can be indicative for regional trends such as Hawaii's) reported:
- Wages and salaries for civilian workers rose 3.1% over the 12-month period ending September 2026.
- Total compensation costs—including wages and benefits—increased by 3.4% over the same year-on-year period.
- Benefit costs rose 3.9% year-over-year.
- For private industry workers, wages and salaries rose 3.1% year-over-year, with union workers seeing slightly higher increases (4.3%) compared to nonunion workers (3.0%).
- When adjusted for inflation (constant dollars), real wages for private industry workers decreased by 0.6%—indicating the pay increases did not fully keep pace with inflation over the year.
You can find the comprehensive ECI report for September 2026 on the BLS Employment Cost Index bulletin.
Summary Table
| Indicator | April 2026 | September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Civilian Labor Force | 687,900 | 694,900 (preliminary) |
| Employment | 671,000 | 675,500 (preliminary) |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 2.8% (preliminary) |
| Total Nonfarm Jobs | 644,000 | 642,400 (preliminary) |
| Wage Growth (US overall, 12 months) | 3.1% | |
Key Takeaways
- Hawaii's labor market in 2026 was generally stable, with slow growth in employment and nonfarm job numbers largely unchanged compared to a year earlier.
- Wages and compensation increased moderately, but real (inflation-adjusted) wages saw a slight decline.
- Sectoral trends varied, with Education & Health Services growing, while Manufacturing and some other categories declined in employment.
For the most up-to-date and historical employment figures, visit the BLS Hawaii State page.
Source: bls.gov.
