Lawyer Salary in Waipahu, HI: $195,429 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Waipahu, HI earns a median $195,429/year (≈ $93.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Waipahu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $163,813 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median salary of $195,429 for 2026, the compensation for lawyers practicing in Waipahu, Hawaii, surpasses the national median by approximately 16.90%. Salary expectations are shaped significantly by billable hour requirements, often falling between 1,800 to 2,400 hours annually at larger firms, which results in effective hourly compensation that aligns closely with a competitive legal market. The salary range appears broad, with lower-end figures starting at $113,348 and peaking at $302,915. These estimates, which derive from local conditions influenced by regional price adjustments, reflect the nuances of practicing law in Waipahu, where competitive salaries can be found but are also offset by various factors unique to the area's legal job market.
About the Waipahu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $113,348 | $54.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $140,708 | $67.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $195,429 | $93.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $250,149 | $120.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $302,915 | $145.63 |
Median Salary Position
16.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waipahu
In Waipahu, HI, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $189,567 (2026 est.). At $195,429, the local median is 16.9% above the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waipahu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waipahu Lawyer Pay Compares
Waipahu median: $195,429/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waipahu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $199,417 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | +16.90% more |
Lawyers in Waipahu, HI earn a median of $195,429 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.90% higher than the national median of $167,174 and 2.00% below the Hawaii state average of $199,417.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waipahu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waipahu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $195,429 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $163,813 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$143,742
2025 BLS Actual
$186,656
2026 Current Est.
$195,429
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Waipahu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $143,742 | Actual |
| 2020 | $148,383 | Actual |
| 2021 | $149,622 | Actual |
| 2022 | $158,682 | Actual |
| 2023 | $170,395 | Actual |
| 2024 | $157,817 | Actual |
| 2025 | $186,656 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $195,429 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $204,614 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waipahu metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $143,742 (2019) to $186,656 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $204,614 by 2027 — a total increase of $60,872 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waipahu 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) | $113,348 – $140,708 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $140,708 – $195,429 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $195,429 – $250,149 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $250,149 – $302,915 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Waipahu
Currently, only nine attorneys are employed in Waipahu, indicating a tight job market that may limit opportunities while also potentially increasing salary competition. The area's cost of living index stands at 119.3, suggesting that although nominal salaries are high, actual purchasing power can be impacted by living expenses. Among local employers, larger firms, especially those associated with BigLaw, tend to offer the highest compensation, while mid-sized and smaller firms provide more balanced workloads albeit generally lower pay. Factors influencing the disparity in earnings include firm prestige, geographic market factors, and the public-private sector salary divide. For legal professionals aiming to maximize earnings in Waipahu, focusing on high billable hours, seeking positions with larger firms, or exploring in-house roles may provide the most lucrative pathways.
More salary data for Waipahu, 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 $186,656 for lawyersin the Waipahu 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 Waipahu 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