The minimum wage in Honolulu is $16.00/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $26.00/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Honolulu.
The minimum wage in Honolulu is the Hawaii statewide minimum of $16.00/hour. Honolulu does not set a separate local minimum wage, so the Hawaii statewide minimum of $16.00/hour for 2026 applies to most employers. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Honolulu. With average 1-bedroom rent near $2,100/month and a cost-of-living index of 196 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Honolulu, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $16.00 | $33,280 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $26.00 | $54,080 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $50.00 | $104,000 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $25,200 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for the City and County of Honolulu. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Honolulu.
Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii and the largest city in the state, on the island of Oahu, with an economy built on tourism, a major U.S. military presence (including Pearl Harbor), state and federal government, healthcare, and shipping.
| Local Metric | Honolulu (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 350,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | the City and County of Honolulu |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 196 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $26.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $50.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $16.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $2,100/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $2,700/month |
| Median home price | $850,000 |
| Median household income | $75,000/year |
| Combined General Excise Tax (GET) rate | 4.5% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.3% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The minimum wage in Honolulu is the Hawaii statewide minimum of $16.00/hour. Honolulu does not set a separate local minimum wage, so the Hawaii statewide minimum of $16.00/hour for 2026 applies to most employers. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $33,280 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in the City and County of Honolulu needs about $26.00/hour (roughly $54,080/year) to cover basic costs. That is $10.00/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $50.00/hour.
At $16.00/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $33,280 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $24,960/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Honolulu is about $2,100/month, or $25,200/year.
Honolulu does not set a separate local minimum wage, so the Hawaii statewide minimum of $16.00/hour for 2026 applies to most employers.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. Hawaii has set a state minimum wage of $16.00/hour for 2026, well above the federal floor, and that rate applies in Honolulu.