Appliance Repair Technician in Hawaii: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Repair and maintenance
Hawaii employs 240 appliance repair technicians, with a statewide median of $58,300 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Hawaii licensing picture, and where to train.
What Appliance repair technicians Earn in Hawaii (May 2025)
- Hawaii median pay
- $58,300 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $39,520
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $59,680
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $63,430
- Employed in Hawaii
- 240
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $44,390 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for appliance repair technicians in major Hawaii markets:
- Urban Honolulu
- $58,300 (140 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Hawaii
Prices in Hawaii run about 10% above the national average (cost-of-living index 110.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $58,300 median is worth closer to $53,000 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Hawaii (2024–2034)
Hawaii is projected to shrink appliance repair technicians employment -0.8%, slower than the +2.7% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Hawaii License and Certification Requirements
No state license; EPA 608 needed for sealed-refrigerant appliances — regulated by the No Hawaii state license.
- Hawaii does not license appliance repair techs.
- Learn via manufacturer/employer training or a technical program.
- Get EPA Section 608 certification if you service refrigerators or other sealed-refrigerant appliances.
Official requirements: No Hawaii state license →
Training in Hawaii
Steady, recession-resistant demand. On the islands, repair often beats costly replacement shipping, making skilled techs especially valuable.
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who like fixing things, want a shorter training path, and are interested in eventual self-employment.
Think twice if: Driving to many in-home appointments, lifting heavy appliances, and modest entry wages sound like a poor fit.
Why it's resilient: In-home appliance repair requires physical access, diagnostic judgment, and local customer trust that cannot be done remotely.
First Steps
Look for appliance repair certificate programs or entry-level helper positions at appliance service companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do appliance repair technicians make in Hawaii?
The median wage for appliance repair technicians in Hawaii is $58,300 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $39,520, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $63,430. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Appliance Repair Technician in Hawaii?
No state license; EPA 608 needed for sealed-refrigerant appliances, overseen by the No Hawaii state license. Hawaii does not license appliance repair techs.
Is being an Appliance Repair Technician a good career in Hawaii?
In-home appliance repair requires physical access, diagnostic judgment, and local customer trust that cannot be done remotely.
Which Hawaii metros pay appliance repair technicians the most?
Among Hawaii metro areas, Urban Honolulu leads at $58,300. Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Is Appliance Repair Technician a growing career in Hawaii?
Hawaii projects appliance repair technicians employment to change -0.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 openings a year — a declining field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Hawaii statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9031. Licensing summary compiled from the No Hawaii state license (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Hawaii wages · Hawaii licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.