Lawyer Hourly Pay in Kahului, HI: $74.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Kahului, HI runs $74.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $155,343 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Kahului's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.4, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $68.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $93,204 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Lawyers in Kahului, HI, earn a median hourly rate of $74.68, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $80.37. This hourly rate provides context for both full-time and part-time legal professionals in the area. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the prospects can be fairly lucrative depending on billing practices. The hourly range for lawyers varies significantly, from $43.72 for entry-level positions to $97.87 for top earners, illustrating the profession's breadth in Kahului. In this legal market, practices may encompass traditional law firm settings, corporate legal departments, and public sector roles, which often dictate the rate based on the complexity and nature of the legal work required. The figures presented are drawn from the latest 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43.72 | $349.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.16 | $425.25 |
| Median (P50) | $74.68 | $597.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.68 | $597.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.87 | $782.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kahului
Based on $74.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $74.68/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kahului, HI can expect to earn approximately $155,340 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $89,619. With a cost-of-living index of 109.39 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Kahului.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kahului
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,987.30 | $12,945 | $155,340 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,792.38 | $7,767 | $93,204 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,194.92 | $5,178 | $62,136 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Kahului) | $74.68 |
| Paralegal (National Avg) | $29.95 |
| Judge / Magistrate (National Avg) | $68.41 |
| Arbitrator / Mediator (National Avg) | $38.60 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
Lawyers in Kahului, HI earn a median of $155,343 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.08% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 22.10% below the Hawaii state average of $199,414.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $74.68/hr = $93,204/year (purchasing power: $85,201).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $155,340/year (purchasing power: $142,001).
CoL index: 109.393 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$54.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$71.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$74.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Kahului (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $71.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Kahului grew 31.1% from $54.40/hr (2019) to $71.33/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $78.19/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem lawyers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kahului metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Lawyer in Kahului
For part-time lawyers, specifically those working 24 hours a week, the annual earnings will significantly diverge from full-time counterparts, potentially resulting in an income that may not capture the full range of benefits associated with full-time positions. Per diem roles have a wide compensation spectrum; while contract positions may offer $25 to $50 per hour, more seasoned attorneys or those in 1099 arrangements often access rates between $200 and $500 per hour. In Kahului, hourly rates can fluctuate widely based on the type of employer—BigLaw firms like Cravath or Kirkland tend to pay top-tier rates, whereas public interest roles offer lower compensation but might include benefits such as job security and student loan forgiveness. Lawyers also have to navigate the trade-off between lower hourly rates with health benefits and higher compensation without such perks. When negotiating, being informed about typical hourly rates and understanding the unique dynamics of the Kahului market can provide leverage for obtaining a favorable agreement.
More salary data for Kahului, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Alexandra Chen, JD
Career Analyst
Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for lawyers in Kahului. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov