Current Minimum Wage in Hawaii
The minimum wage in Hawaii is $16.00 per hour as of 2026. This is $8.75 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr.
Wage Breakdown
| Pay Period | Gross Pay | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $16.00 | 1 |
| Daily (8 hours) | $128 | 8 |
| Weekly | $640 | 40 |
| Biweekly | $1,280 | 80 |
| Monthly | $2,773 | ~173 |
| Annual | $33,280 | 2,080 |
Tipped Employee Wage
Tipped workers in Hawaii can be paid a cash wage of $14.00/hr, with the expectation that tips make up the difference to the full $16.00/hr minimum. If tips don't bring total compensation to the minimum wage, the employer must make up the difference.
Scheduled Increases
$16.00 (Jan 2026), $18.00 (Jan 2028). Tip credit: $2.00.
Living Wage vs. Minimum Wage
Federal Poverty Line (single)
$15,060/year
Minimum wage is $18,220 above poverty line
Estimated Living Wage (HI)
~$31.72/hr
Based on cost of living index (186.6)
Cost of Living Context
Hawaii's cost of living index is 186.6 (national average = 100). This means living in Hawaii is 86.6% more expensive than the national average. The median hourly wage in Hawaii is $23.54/hr, which is 47% above the minimum wage.
Key Facts
Phasing to $18/hr by 2028. Despite high minimum, cost of living is the highest in the nation.
How This Compares
| Metric | HI | Federal | Highest (WA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | $16.00 | $7.25 | $16.66 |
| Tipped Wage | $14.00 | $2.13 | $16.66 |
| Annual (FT) | $33,280 | $15,080 | $34,653 |
Useful Resources
Hawaii Average Salary
Median income and top employers in HI
Hawaii Tax Rates
Income, sales & property tax in HI
Salary Calculator
Convert hourly to annual, weekly, monthly
Paycheck Calculator
Estimate take-home pay after taxes