Lawyer Salaries in Hawaii

$122,000 Average Salary
31% Below National Average
$109K Median
$170K Top 10%
$70K Entry Level
$176K National Avg
Hawaii Lawyer Salary Snapshot
  • Average: $122,000 (-31% below national)
  • Career Range: $70,111 (Entry) → $241,500 (Partner)
  • Highest-Paying: Patent Law ($171K)
  • Top Employers: BigLaw ($204K), In-House ($135K)
  • vs Nearby: Higher than Alaska ; Below California, Washington

Hawaii offers paradise living with extremely high costs. Tourism, real estate, and Native Hawaiian law drive the market. Isolated geography limits lateral opportunities.

Last updated: January 2025 • Source: BLS, NALP

Salary by Experience in Hawaii

How lawyer salaries grow with experience

0-2 years
Entry Level
$70,111
Median: $59K
3-5 years
Mid-Level
$100,050
Median: $88K
6-10 years
Senior
$134,550
Median: $119K
10+ years
Partner
$241,500
Median: $197K
Career Growth Potential

Lawyers in Hawaii can expect a 244% salary increase from entry-level to partner. Starting at $70,111, experienced partners earn $241,500 or more.

Salary by Firm Type in Hawaii

Compare compensation across different employer types

BigLaw (500+ attorneys)
$203,550
Entry: $155K Senior: $300K
Top 100 firms with offices nationwide
Midsize (50-500 attorneys)
$127,650
Entry: $107K Senior: $190K
Regional and specialty boutique firms
Small Firm (2-49 attorneys)
$75,900
Entry: $52K Senior: $114K
Local and small practice firms
Solo Practice
$58,650
Entry: $35K Senior: $104K
Self-employed attorneys
In-House Counsel
$134,550
Entry: $79K Senior: $220K
Corporate legal departments
Government
$67,620
Entry: $45K Senior: $102K
Federal, state, and local agencies
Public Interest
$49,680
Entry: $38K Senior: $66K
Non-profit and legal aid organizations
BigLaw vs Government Trade-off

In Hawaii, BigLaw pays $135,930 more than government roles ($203,550 vs $67,620). However, government attorneys may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and often enjoy better work-life balance.

Salary by Practice Area in Hawaii

Find the highest-paying legal specialties

💡 Patent Law $171K Entry: $100K | Senior: $262K 🤝 Mergers & Acquisitions $160K Entry: $104K | Senior: $276K ⚖ Antitrust Law $155K Entry: $100K | Senior: $262K 📈 Securities Law $148K Entry: $97K | Senior: $248K 🏛 Corporate Law $143K Entry: $93K | Senior: $242K © Intellectual Property $138K Entry: $86K | Senior: $221K 🏦 Banking & Finance $137K Entry: $90K | Senior: $231K 🔒 Privacy & Data Protection $128K Entry: $79K | Senior: $204K ⚖ Privacy & Data Protection $128K Entry: $79K | Senior: $204K 💻 Cybersecurity Law $123K Entry: $76K | Senior: $197K 📊 Tax Law $121K Entry: $76K | Senior: $193K ⚖ Energy Law $121K Entry: $76K | Senior: $193K 🌐 International Law $119K Entry: $72K | Senior: $190K 🎬 Entertainment Law $116K Entry: $59K | Senior: $190K ⚖ International Trade Law $116K Entry: $72K | Senior: $186K 🏥 Healthcare Law $114K Entry: $69K | Senior: $183K ⚖ Government Contracts $114K Entry: $69K | Senior: $183K 📉 Bankruptcy Law $107K Entry: $66K | Senior: $173K ⚖ Aviation Law $107K Entry: $66K | Senior: $169K 🩺 Medical Malpractice $102K Entry: $52K | Senior: $166K ⚖ Maritime Law $102K Entry: $61K | Senior: $162K 🔨 Litigation $102K Entry: $66K | Senior: $173K 👔 Employment Law $98K Entry: $61K | Senior: $159K ⚖ Sports Law $98K Entry: $52K | Senior: $162K 🏠 Real Estate $95K Entry: $59K | Senior: $152K 🏗 Construction Law $95K Entry: $57K | Senior: $152K 🌿 Environmental Law $93K Entry: $57K | Senior: $148K 🛒 Insurance Law $88K Entry: $54K | Senior: $141K 🩹 Personal Injury $86K Entry: $45K | Senior: $138K 📜 Estate Planning $75K Entry: $43K | Senior: $121K ⚖ Education Law $72K Entry: $43K | Senior: $114K 👪 Family Law $72K Entry: $40K | Senior: $114K 🚓 Criminal Law $68K Entry: $36K | Senior: $107K 🏛 Government/Public Sector $68K Entry: $45K | Senior: $102K 🧰 Workers Compensation $68K Entry: $40K | Senior: $107K ⚖ Criminal Defense $68K Entry: $36K | Senior: $107K 👴 Elder Law $63K Entry: $38K | Senior: $100K ⚖ Civil Rights Law $61K Entry: $36K | Senior: $100K 🌍 Immigration Law $59K Entry: $38K | Senior: $97K
Practice Area Comparison

In Hawaii, Patent Law lawyers earn $111,913 more than Immigration Law attorneys on average ($171,297 vs $59,384). Specializing in high-demand areas can significantly impact lifetime earnings.

Hawaii Legal Market Facts

Key statistics about the legal industry in this state

💼 5,000+ Licensed Attorneys
🏫 1 ABA Law Schools
📍 Honolulu Largest Legal Market
📈 145% Cost of Living Index

Law School ROI in Hawaii

How long to pay off student loans by career path

💰 $130,000 Avg Law School Debt
⏱ 7.1 years To Pay Off at State Avg
📅 $1,480/mo Standard Payment
Payoff Timeline by Career Path
BigLaw $204K
4.3 yrs
In-House $135K
6.4 yrs
Government $68K
12.8 yrs PSLF eligible
At Hawaii's average salary of $122,000, you can pay off $130K in student loans in approximately 7.1 years while allocating 15% of your income to debt repayment.

Compare to Nearby States

How Hawaii compares to neighboring states

Hawaii Current
$122K
California
$184K +50%
Washington
$148K +21%
Oregon
$130K +7%
Alaska
$118K -3%
🏠
Cost of Living Context

Hawaii has a cost of living 45% above the national average. While lawyer salaries are 31% below national, the higher expenses may offset some gains. Median home price: $850,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

The average lawyer salary in Hawaii is $122,000, which is 31% below the national average of $176,470. Salaries range from $70,111 for entry-level positions to $241,500 or more for senior partners.

Patent Law is the highest-paying legal specialty in Hawaii, with an average salary of $171,297. Entry-level patent law attorneys start around $100,050, while senior attorneys can earn $262,200 or more.

First-year lawyers in Hawaii earn an average of $70,111. However, this varies significantly by employer type: BigLaw firms pay $155,250+, while small firms and government positions typically start around $44,850 to $51,750.

Major BigLaw firms in Hawaii typically match the Cravath scale, starting at $225,000 for first-year associates. The adjusted average BigLaw salary in Hawaii is approximately $203,550, reflecting local cost of living and market conditions.

Hawaii ranks below average for lawyer salaries among nearby states. The average of $122,000 is 31% lower than compared to California ($184K), Washington ($148K), Oregon ($130K).

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