Accountant Salary in East Honolulu, HI: $100,416 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in East Honolulu, HI earns a median $100,416/year (≈ $48.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in East Honolulu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $84,171 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, an accountant in East Honolulu, Hawaii, can expect a median annual salary of $100,416, which is notably higher than the national median of $85,864—representing a 16.95% increase. The salary range within the local market varies significantly, from $66,872 at the 10th percentile to $155,645 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price differences. The competitive salary environment reflects the ongoing transition from public accounting to industry roles, highlighting the value of practical experience and credentials in shaping lifetime compensation for professionals in the region.
About the East Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,872 | $32.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,412 | $38.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,416 | $48.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,127 | $61.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $155,645 | $74.83 |
Median Salary Position
16.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in East Honolulu
In East Honolulu, HI, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,773 (2026 est.). At $100,416, the local median is 16.95% above the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in East Honolulu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How East Honolulu Accountant Pay Compares
East Honolulu median: $100,416/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | East Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $102,466 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | +16.95% more |
Accountants in East Honolulu, HI earn a median of $100,416 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.95% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 2.00% below the Hawaii state average of $102,466.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
East Honolulu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
East Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $100,416 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $84,171 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,676
2025 BLS Actual
$97,862
2026 Current Est.
$100,416
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in East Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,676 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,027 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,342 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,219 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,418 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,558 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,862 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,416 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,037 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the East Honolulu metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $83,676 (2019) to $97,862 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,037 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,361 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the East 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $66,872 – $79,412 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,412 – $100,416 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,416 – $127,127 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,127 – $155,645 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in East Honolulu
With only 12 accountants currently employed in East Honolulu, the job market is relatively small but can be lucrative given the high cost of living index of 119.3. This elevated CoL affects how much take-home pay truly matters, as it indicates that expenses may often outpace earnings. Accountants frequently find the best compensation packages coming from Big 4 firms like Deloitte and KPMG, driven by factors such as the achievement of CPA licensure and the corporate culture's demand for rigorous performance during busy seasons. The pay disparity in the area can be attributed to varying career paths—those pursuing senior roles in public accounting typically enjoy higher salaries than their peers in small practices or local firms. New entrants to the field can maximize their earnings potential by gaining experience with larger firms before transitioning to industry positions that often provide competitive cash compensation but with less prestige.
More salary data for East Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $97,862 for accountantsin the East Honolulu metropolitan area. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for East Honolulu is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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