Lawyers in Hawaii. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Lawyers in Hawaii earned a median of $116,010 in 2024, roughly 22% below the US median of $149,496. That gap is one of the larger state-level deficits we see for this occupation, and it shows up in the average as well: $121,900 in Hawaii against $180,908 nationally.
The spread within the state is wide. The bottom 10% of earners came in at $76,180, while the top 10% reached $173,040. Top earners made about 2.3 times what the lowest-paid lawyers made. That kind of range typically reflects differences in practice area, seniority, and firm size rather than a single uniform market.
Hawaii's cost of living sits 13.2% above the national baseline. Adjusting for that, the $116,010 median translates to roughly $102,500 in national-baseline dollars, which pushes the real gap with the US median closer to 31%. The nominal 22% headline understates how far the purchasing power actually falls behind.
BLS projects employment for Lawyers to grow 4.2% from 2024 to 2034, which it classifies as average. That matches the pace expected for the broader labor market, so no particular acceleration or contraction is built into the federal outlook for this period.
Hawaii's small attorney market, 2,430 jobs in total, concentrates around government, real estate, and tourism-related practice areas. Those sectors tend to support different pay structures than the large corporate and financial clients that push up wages in New York or California, which likely accounts for a meaningful share of the state-to-national gap.
Salary distribution
Where Hawaii lawyers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $97,460 and $155,880, with a median of $124,990.
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Lawyers pay by experience level in Hawaii
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Hawaii over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.7 / 5
Law and Government
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.6 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.5 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- 02
Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
- 03
Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
- 04
Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- 05
Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.
- 06
Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- 07
Work in environmental law, representing public interest groups, waste disposal companies, or construction firms in their dealings with state and federal agencies.
- 08
Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.2%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Lawyers in Hawaii?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Lawyers in Hawaii is $124,990.
- How does Hawaii compare to the national median for Lawyers?
- The Hawaii median is -21.6% versus the BLS national figure of $159,328.
- What is the salary range for Lawyers in Hawaii?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $73,890 and the 90th-percentile at $179,010, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Lawyers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.2% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Lawyers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.