Plan and oversee the drilling of oil and gas wells safely and efficiently. Median salary in Hilo: $202K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Figures represent annual base salary in Hilo, Hawaii. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →
Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.
Drilling Engineers in Hilo earn approximately 55% higher than the US national median for this role — a $72,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Hilo's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.
Hawaii's 11% state income tax reduces take-home by roughly $22,220 per year at the median salary. A Drilling Engineer relocating to a no-tax state like Texas, Florida, or Tennessee would retain that amount without changing gross pay.
Only 10% of Drilling Engineer positions offer remote flexibility, meaning the Hilo salary above represents what local employers actually pay — not a remote-anywhere rate. Geographic constraints reinforce the local market, so the salary range above is more directly applicable than for remote-friendly roles.
Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $202K by 2030.
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The median Drilling Engineer salary in Hilo, HI is $202,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Hilo–HI metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.
Entry-level Drilling Engineers in Hilo with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $155,000 and $202,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $202,000 to $256,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $256,000 to $318,000 or more.
Hilo has a cost of living index of 155 compared to the US national average of 100. Hilo's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. Hawaii has a 11% state income tax rate.
Bachelor's degree. 10% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.