Accountant Salary in Honolulu, HI: $108,998 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Honolulu, HI earns a median $108,998/year (≈ $52.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Honolulu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $91,365 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for accountants in Honolulu, Hawaii, is projected at $108,998, substantially above the national median of $85,864. This translates to a salary range from $67,947 at the 10th percentile to $168,947 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a significant wage spectrum influenced by various factors, including the type of employer. According to estimates based on 2025 BLS data, accountants in Honolulu see a notable pay increase relative to other regions, largely driven by the presence of the Big 4 accounting firms alongside regional and corporate roles within the local job market. As Honolulu continues to be a competitive hub for accounting professionals, these salary figures highlight the city's strategic importance for talent acquisition in the finance sector.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,947 | $32.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,207 | $40.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,998 | $52.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $139,518 | $67.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $168,947 | $81.23 |
Median Salary Position
26.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Honolulu
In Honolulu, HI, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,000 (2026 est.). At $108,998, the local median is 26.94% above the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Honolulu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Honolulu Accountant Pay Compares
Honolulu median: $108,998/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $102,442 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | +26.94% more |
Accountants in Honolulu, HI earn a median of $108,998 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.94% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 6.40% above the Hawaii state average of $102,442.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Honolulu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $108,998 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $91,365 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,828
2025 BLS Actual
$106,226
2026 Current Est.
$108,998
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,828 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,379 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,064 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,016 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,402 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,555 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,226 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,998 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,843 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Honolulu metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $90,828 (2019) to $106,226 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,843 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,015 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the 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) | $67,947 – $83,207 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,207 – $108,998 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,998 – $139,518 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $139,518 – $168,947 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Honolulu
The job market for accountants in Honolulu is robust, with around 68 accountants currently employed across various sectors. However, the cost of living in the area presents challenges, as indicated by a cost-of-living index of 119.3, meaning that while salaries are higher, purchasing power can be diminished by local prices. The highest-paying opportunities typically come from the Big 4 public accounting firms such as Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG, which offer compensation packages that include bonuses and overtime during the busy tax season. The disparity in pay across accounting positions in Honolulu can be attributed to various factors including the level of CPA licensure, the tier of the firm, and the nature of the specialty work, such as tax or forensic accounting. For accountants looking to maximize their earnings in Honolulu, pursuing a CPA license and gaining experience at a reputable firm can help bridge the gap between entry-level positions and more lucrative roles in the finance industry.
More salary data for 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 $106,226 for accountantsin the 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 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