Accountant Hourly Pay in Urban Honolulu, HI: $36.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Urban Honolulu, HI runs $36.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,947 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Urban Honolulu's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.0, 11% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,165 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Urban Honolulu, the 2026 projected hourly pay for accountants stands at $36.99, which is notably lower than the national median of $41.28. For those working part-time, such as in client engagement rooms or corporate finance departments, this rate translates to an annual income that reflects flexible schedules. For instance, an accountant working three days a week might expect to earn approximately $28,000 annually, emphasizing the opportunity for balance in both work and personal commitments. The range of hourly pay varies considerably, with those at entry-level earning around $24.55, while seasoned professionals can command up to $57.65, highlighting the diverse landscape of compensation in this sector. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections, reveals the distinct financial dynamics of the accounting profession in Hawaii.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.55 | $196.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.04 | $240.35 |
| Median (P50) | $36.99 | $295.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.82 | $366.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.65 | $461.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urban Honolulu
Based on $36.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.99/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urban Honolulu, HI can expect to earn approximately $76,941 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,389. With a cost-of-living index of 110.96 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Urban Honolulu.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urban Honolulu
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,479.64 | $6,412 | $76,941 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $887.78 | $3,847 | $46,165 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $591.85 | $2,565 | $30,776 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Urban Honolulu) | $36.99 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Bookkeeping / Accounting Clerk (National Avg) | $22.93 |
| Auditor (National Avg) | $39.88 |
| Tax Examiner / Collector (National Avg) | $29.61 |
Accountants in Urban Honolulu, HI earn a median of $76,947 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.39% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 24.90% below the Hawaii state average of $102,460.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.99/hr = $46,165/year (purchasing power: $41,604).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,941/year (purchasing power: $69,341).
CoL index: 110.961 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Urban Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Urban Honolulu grew 20.8% from $29.84/hr (2019) to $36.05/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.96/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem accountants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urban Honolulu 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 2.61% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Accountant in Urban Honolulu
For accountants operating on a part-time basis in Urban Honolulu, the per diem model offers intriguing potential. Working just a 24-hour week could significantly alter earnings compared to a full-time position. Contract workers, particularly those with niche expertise, often bill between $50 and $95 per hour, while Big 4 alumni engaged in busy-season projects may achieve rates ranging from $80 to $130. Particularly lucrative are forensic accountants, who serve as expert witnesses and can earn as much as $300 to $600 hourly. Hourly rates also differ based on the type of employer: public firms, mid-level CPA practices, and corporate departments each provide unique compensation structures. Furthermore, many professionals weigh the benefits of benefits versus higher pay; some choose steady positions that offer health insurance, whereas others embrace freelance roles for their higher pay rates. It’s wise for accountants in Urban Honolulu to negotiate carefully and consider the full value of compensation packages, especially when varying demands arise seasonally.
More salary data for Urban Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for accountants in Urban Honolulu in 2026?
How much do part-time accountants make in Urban Honolulu?
Are accountants in Urban Honolulu paid hourly or salary?
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Related Pages
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Written by Sofia Patel, CPA
Career Analyst
Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for accountants in Urban Honolulu. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov