Lawyer Salary in Kailua, HI: $197,704 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Kailua, HI earns a median $197,704/year (≈ $95.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Kailua's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $165,720 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kailua, HI, the projected median annual salary for lawyers in 2026 is an impressive $197,704, which is approximately 18.26% higher than the national median of $167,174. This elevated compensation reflects the structural divide seen within the legal profession, especially between BigLaw, mid-market, and small firm environments. Salaries in this coastal haven range from $114,668 at the 10th percentile to $306,441 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant disparities influenced by the nature of practice settings, firm reputation, and client bases. The figures presented are derived from local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, elucidating Kailua's unique position in the competitive job market for legal professionals.
About the Kailua Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $114,668 | $55.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $142,347 | $68.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $197,704 | $95.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $253,061 | $121.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $306,441 | $147.32 |
Median Salary Position
18.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kailua
In Kailua, HI, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $191,773 (2026 est.). At $197,704, the local median is 18.26% above the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kailua: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kailua Lawyer Pay Compares
Kailua median: $197,704/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kailua Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $199,499 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | +18.26% more |
Lawyers in Kailua, HI earn a median of $197,704 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.26% higher than the national median of $167,174 and 0.90% below the Hawaii state average of $199,499.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kailua has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kailua, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $197,704 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $165,720 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$145,415
2025 BLS Actual
$188,829
2026 Current Est.
$197,704
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Kailua (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $145,415 | Actual |
| 2020 | $150,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $151,364 | Actual |
| 2022 | $160,529 | Actual |
| 2023 | $172,379 | Actual |
| 2024 | $159,654 | Actual |
| 2025 | $188,829 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $197,704 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $206,996 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kailua metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $145,415 (2019) to $188,829 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $206,996 by 2027 — a total increase of $61,581 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kailua 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $114,668 – $142,347 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $142,347 – $197,704 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $197,704 – $253,061 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $253,061 – $306,441 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Kailua
Examining the local job market reveals that only six lawyers are currently employed in Kailua, thus creating a tight-knit community where networking and personal connections may substantially impact career advancement. The cost of living index in this area stands at 119.3, which suggests that while salaries are comparatively high, the expenses associated with living in Kailua can eat into take-home pay. The most lucrative opportunities are typically found within boutique specialty firms or in-house corporate legal departments, while government positions tend to offer lower salaries but provide benefits such as student loan forgiveness programs. Factors driving the range of lawyer pay in Kailua include firm tier, partnership opportunities, billable hour expectations, and the potential for performance-based bonuses. For lawyers aiming to maximize their earnings in this local market, focusing on building a strong client base within specialized areas of practice can be advantageous, as can seeking partnerships in smaller firms that offer more competitive pay structures compared to larger firms.
More salary data for Kailua, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $188,829 for lawyersin the Kailua metropolitan area. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kailua is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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