Lawyer Salary in Hawaii: $132,799 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Hawaii's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median lawyer pay sits at $132,799/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-1011. Because Hawaii sits at BEA RPP 119.3 (19% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $111,315 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Honolulu ($202,690), Kaneohe ($189,287), Mililani Town ($188,947).
In 2026, the average median salary for lawyers in Hawaii is projected to be $132,799, which is approximately 20.6% lower than the national median of $167,174. Within Hawaii, the highest salaries can be found in Honolulu at $212,216, while Urban Honolulu reflects the lowest with $126,551, highlighting a salary disparity of $85,665. This difference is largely influenced by factors such as the concentration of law firms, client demographics, and specific areas of legal practice prevalent in each city. Hawaii has unique state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can impact career paths for legal professionals. The demand for lawyers in the state is driven by various sectors, including tourism, real estate, environmental law, and family law, which are particularly relevant to Hawaii's local context. The job market for lawyers is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4.70%, indicating a steady demand for legal services and potential opportunities for new and experienced attorneys alike. Overall, while salaries in Hawaii differ significantly from national figures, the legal market in the state presents distinct prospects aligned with its local economic conditions.
Hawaii Lawyer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Hawaii: $76,243 (lowest entry-level) to $328,936 (highest top earner)
Hawaii vs National Average
Hawaii lawyers earn 20.56% less than the national median ($-34,375/year difference).
Hawaii Lawyer Salary Distribution (2026)
Lawyer salaries in Hawaii range from $79,571 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $195,542 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $132,799. The Hawaii median is $34,375 below the US national median of $167,174. The average hourly rate is $63.85/hr. Approximately 2,240 lawyers are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$98,121
2025 BLS Actual
$126,838
2026 Current Est.
$132,799
2019–2027 Growth
+41.7%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Hawaii (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,121 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,695 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,903 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,437 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,853 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,824 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,838 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,799 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,041 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hawaii metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.3% from $98,121 (2019) to $126,838 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,041 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,920 (41.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hawaii 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Hawaii
Lowest Paying Cities in Hawaii
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | $126,551 |
| Kahului | $155,343 |
| Hilo | $189,254 |
| Pearl City | $193,571 |
| Waipahu | $195,429 |
Best Value Cities for Lawyers in Hawaii
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Hawaii cities offer the most purchasing power for lawyers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $212,216 | 119.3 | $177,884 |
| Kaneohe | $198,183 | 119.3 | $166,122 |
| Mililani Town | $197,828 | 119.3 | $165,824 |
| Kailua | $197,704 | 119.3 | $165,720 |
| East Honolulu | $195,506 | 119.3 | $163,878 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Hawaii
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $79,571 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $132,799 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $195,542 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Hawaii metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Hawaii
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honolulu | $212,216 |
| 2 | Kaneohe | $198,183 |
| 3 | Mililani Town | $197,828 |
| 4 | Kailua | $197,704 |
| 5 | East Honolulu | $195,506 |
| 6 | Waipahu | $195,429 |
| 7 | Pearl City | $193,571 |
| 8 | Hilo | $189,254 |
| 9 | Kahului | $155,343 |
| 10 | Urban Honolulu | $126,551 |
More Hawaii Salary Data
Explore More Lawyer Salary Data
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 lawyer compensation across Hawaii. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more lawyerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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