Accountant Salary in Kahului, HI: $80,682 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Kahului, HI earns a median $80,682/year (≈ $38.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Kahului's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.4), that paycheck buys what $73,754 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 21.2% below the Hawaii state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, accountants in Kahului, Hawaii, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $80,682, reflecting a slight decrease of 6.04% compared to the national benchmark of $85,864. Salary ranges for this profession in Kahului are quite wide, with earnings starting at $51,233 for the lowest 10% and reaching up to $137,364 for the top 90%. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, and illustrates how the local market positions itself relative to industry norms. In light of the transitioning workforce from public roles to industry positions, the accountant salary in Kahului is crucial for understanding recruitment and retention in this vibrant job environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,233 | $24.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,496 | $31.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,682 | $38.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,963 | $48.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,364 | $66.04 |
Median Salary Position
6.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kahului
In Kahului, HI, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,131 (2026 est.). At $80,682, the local median is 6.04% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kahului: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kahului Accountant Pay Compares
Kahului median: $80,682/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kahului Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $102,389 | -21.20% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -6.04% less |
Accountants in Kahului, HI earn a median of $80,682 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.04% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 21.20% below the Hawaii state average of $102,389.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kahului has a cost of living 9.39% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kahului, HI has a cost-of-living index of 109.393 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,682 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,754 — a 8.59% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,570
2025 BLS Actual
$78,630
2026 Current Est.
$80,682
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Kahului (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,682 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,788 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kahului metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 34.2% from $58,570 (2019) to $78,630 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,788 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,218 (41.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kahului 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) | $51,233 – $65,496 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,496 – $80,682 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,682 – $99,963 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,963 – $137,364 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Kahului
The local job market supports approximately 440 accountants, showcasing a healthy demand for financial professionals in Kahului, HI. However, the cost of living is higher than the national average, with a cost-of-living index of 109.393, which can impact the effective purchasing power of salaries in the region. For maximum earning potential, accountants may find lucrative opportunities in the Big 4 public accounting firms, regional CPA firms, or corporate accounting departments, while boutique practices or government roles offer diverse compensation packages. The disparity in pay often correlates with factors such as CPA licensure, firm prestige, specialty services in tax or forensic accounting, and the potential for bonuses during busy seasons. By networking within the local CPA community and pursuing niche certifications, accountants can enhance their career trajectories and financial outcomes as they navigate the transition from public to industry roles.
More salary data for Kahului, 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 $78,630 for accountantsin the Kahului 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
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