The salary range for a lawyer in Hawaii runs from $73,890 at the 10th percentile to $179,010 at the 90th percentile. That $105,120 spread reflects meaningful differences in experience level, practice area, and employer type across the state. When building a compensation band, anchor the floor and ceiling to the seniority of the specific role you are filling rather than defaulting to the midpoint.
Lawyer salary in Hawaii (2026)
The average annual salary for a lawyer in Hawaii is $127,280. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $124,990 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Hawaii employs 2,270 lawyers, and the $2,290 gap between the mean and median signals real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior lawyers in Hawaii typically earn around $73,890, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $179,010 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a lawyer hire in Hawaii, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $124,990 |
Average Annual Salary | $127,280 |
vs. National Average | 31.5% below the national mean of $185,840 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 2,270 employed lawyers across Hawaii.
See how Rippling handles payroll, benefits, and onboarding for your next lawyer hire.
Lawyer salary percentiles in Hawaii
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $73,890 |
25th Percentile | $97,460 |
75th Percentile | $155,880 |
90th Percentile | $179,010 |
Employers setting an offer for a lawyer in Hawaii should expect a wide range depending on experience level, with entry-level candidates clustering near $73,890 and experienced specialists reaching $179,010 or beyond. The $105,120 spread between the 10th and 90th percentiles means that role seniority and practice area will drive your offer more than any single benchmark figure.
Lawyer salary by city in Hawaii
City | Average Annual Salary |
Honolulu | $126,580 |
Employers hiring in Honolulu can expect compensation levels that closely track the statewide average, giving them a reliable benchmark for offer planning. The Urban Honolulu metro reports an average annual salary of $126,580, just $700 below the statewide mean of $127,280. Because Honolulu represents the primary legal market in Hawaii, the statewide figures and the metro figures are effectively interchangeable for most budgeting purposes.
How Hawaii compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Hawaii | $127,280 | $124,990 |
California | $230,040 | $195,080 |
Nevada | $205,630 | $150,510 |
Washington | $169,940 | $154,130 |
Alaska | $167,890 | $149,940 |
Oregon | $156,620 | $138,210 |
Hawaii is a cost-effective market for lawyer hiring relative to every comparison state in this list, which gives employers here a real budgeting advantage when competing for legal talent. The statewide mean of $127,280 sits well below Oregon's $156,620, the lowest among the comparison states, and far below California's $230,040 at the top. Employers in Hawaii can set competitive offers at levels that would be considered entry-range in markets like California or Nevada.
Frequently asked questions about lawyer salary in Hawaii
What is the salary range for a lawyer in Hawaii?
What do the top-earning lawyers make in Hawaii?
Lawyers at the 90th percentile in Hawaii earn $179,010 per year. Senior specialists in high-demand practice areas are the candidates most likely to command offers at or above that level. Budget accordingly if you are competing for experienced talent with a track record in complex or specialized legal work.
What is the average lawyer salary in Hawaii?
The average lawyer salary in Hawaii is $127,280 per year. The median of $124,990 sits close to that figure, which tells you the market is relatively concentrated without extreme outliers at the very top distorting the average significantly. Use the median as your primary anchor when setting a mid-level offer and adjust upward based on specialization.
How does Hawaii compare to other states for lawyer salary?
Hawaii's average lawyer salary of $127,280 falls below every comparison state in this dataset, including Oregon at $156,620 and California at $230,040. That gap means employers in Hawaii can attract legal talent at lower compensation levels than most West Coast markets require. If you are recruiting candidates who have worked in California or Washington, expect them to factor in that pay difference during negotiations.
Lawyer salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 23-1011 (Lawyers).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
Author
The Rippling Team
Global HR, IT, and Finance know-how directly from the Rippling team.
Hubs
Explore more
Jul 20, 2026
|
2 min
Lawyer salary in Florida (2026)
Florida lawyer salaries range from $75,530 to $301,050. See median, average, and city-level pay data to build competitive offers for your next legal hire.
Jul 20, 2026
|
3 min
Lawyer salary in Arizona (2026)
Arizona lawyer salaries range from $85,990 to $268,170. See median pay, city breakdowns, and how Arizona compares to neighboring states.
Jul 20, 2026
|
3 min
Lawyer salary in New York (2026)
Lawyer salaries in New York average $220,180, with a range from $85,200 to $391,420. Compare pay by city, percentile, and state to budget your next hire.
Jul 20, 2026
|
3 min
Lawyer salary in California (2026)
California lawyer salaries range from $97,950 to $369,180. See median, average, and city-level pay data to set competitive offers for your next hire.
Jul 20, 2026
|
2 min
Lawyer salary in Colorado (2026)
Colorado lawyer salaries range from $83,350 to $336,970. See median pay, city breakdowns, and how Colorado compares to nearby states before your next hire.
Jul 7, 2026
|
3 min
Nurse practitioner salary in Hawaii (2026)
Nurse practitioner salaries in Hawaii average $142,910, with pay ranging from $106,450 to $174,350. Use this data to budget and benchmark your next NP hire.
Jul 20, 2026
|
3 min
Lawyer salary in Utah (2026)
Lawyer salaries in Utah range from $59,990 to $347,090. See median, average, and city-level data to budget your next hire accurately.
Jul 20, 2026
|
3 min
Lawyer salary in Indiana (2026)
Indiana lawyer salaries range from $65,750 to $327,960. See median pay, city breakdowns, and how Indiana compares to neighboring states.
See Rippling in action
Increase savings, automate busy work, and make better decisions by managing HR, IT, and Finance in one place.