Accountant Salary in Urban Honolulu, HI: $76,947 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Urban Honolulu, HI earns a median $76,947/year (≈ $36.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Urban Honolulu's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.0), that paycheck buys what $69,346 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 24.9% below the Hawaii state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for accountants in Urban Honolulu stands at $76,947, reflecting a distinct compensation structure that often diverges from national trends. This salary falls within a range that spans from $51,069 at the 10th percentile to as much as $119,900 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the significant variations based on experience, firm type, and specialization. These figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and illustrate the disparity between roles at prestigious firms versus local opportunities. In Urban Honolulu, professionals often navigate a market where Big 4 firms may set higher benchmarks for entry-level positions, while regional and corporate roles offer competitive packages that can lead to enticing career pathways.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,069 | $24.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,479 | $30.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,947 | $36.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,294 | $45.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,900 | $57.65 |
Median Salary Position
10.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urban Honolulu
In Urban Honolulu, HI, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,831 (2026 est.). At $76,947, the local median is 10.39% below the national median of $85,864.
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At 40 hours/week in Urban Honolulu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urban Honolulu Accountant Pay Compares
Urban Honolulu median: $76,947/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urban Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $102,460 | -24.90% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -10.39% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urban Honolulu has a cost of living 10.96% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Urban Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 110.961 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,947 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,346 — a 9.88% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,060
2025 BLS Actual
$74,990
2026 Current Est.
$76,947
2019–2027 Growth
+27.2%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Urban Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,947 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,956 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urban Honolulu metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 20.8% from $62,060 (2019) to $74,990 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,956 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,896 (27.23%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $51,069 – $62,479 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,479 – $76,947 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,947 – $95,294 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,294 – $119,900 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Urban Honolulu
The job market for accountants in Urban Honolulu is robust, with approximately 3,590 professionals currently employed. However, living expenses are notably elevated, with a cost of living index at 110.961, which indicates that salaries must stretch further than in many other cities. Among the highest-paying employers in the area are the Big 4 public accounting firms, which typically offer greater initial compensation and substantial growth potential. In contrast, industry roles in corporate accounting departments may provide greater immediate rewards in terms of cash compensation, even though they may lack the prestige associated with public accounting. The variance in pay is driven by factors such as the CPA license, the tier of the accounting firm, and specialty areas that command premium pay, like forensic accounting. Professionals aiming to maximize their pay should consider advancing their qualifications toward CPA licensure and targeting firms that provide comprehensive training, as these steps often lead to elevated salaries within this competitive market.
More salary data for Urban 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 $74,990 for accountantsin the Urban 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
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