As of January 1, 2026, the minimum wage in Hawaii is $16.00 per hour, which is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. The rate is scheduled to increase to $18.00 on January 1, 2028. Tipped employees must be paid at least $14.75 per hour; if wages plus tips exceed the minimum wage by at least $7.00, the employer may pay up to $1.25 less per hour. Employees who believe they are not receiving the minimum wage may file a complaint with the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage in Hawaii is $30.73. Wages vary by occupation, industry, and location.
The estimated living wage in Hawaii is $31.01 per hour. A living wage represents the estimated hourly rate needed to cover basic living expenses, including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and other essential costs.
A guide to hourly labor laws in Hawaii
Federal law allows unpaid, non-working, bona-fide meal breaks over 30 minutes; exceptions may apply (29 C.F.R. § 785.19) (DoL).
- School days: Up to three hours per school day and 18 hours per school week.
- Non-school days: Up to eight hours per day and 40 hours per week.
- Hours: No work when required to attend school. No more than six consecutive days per week. No work between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. except during the summer when minors may not work from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 390-2).
What is the difference between gross wages and net wages?
It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.
What is a good hourly wage?
It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.
Offering competitive pay is one of my top priorities—what other resources do you have that might help?
It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.
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