Legal Hilo, HI Pop. 45,703

Judge Salary in Hilo, Hawaii

The median judge salary in Hilo, HI is $225,006 per year, which is 52.0% above the national median and 10.6% below the Hawaii state average.

City Median
$225,006
vs State Avg
$-26,645
vs National
+$76,976
Cost of Living
152%

Judge Pay in Hilo: What to Expect (2026)

Hilo offers a median judge salary of $225,006, which is $26,645 below the Hawaii state average of $251,651. Compared to the national median of $148,030, Hilo pays above average for this role.

However, Hilo's cost of living index is 152%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $225,006 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $148,030. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Hilo should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for judges in Hilo spans from $88,160 at the 10th percentile to $349,600 at the 90th percentile — a $261,440 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $98,800, while senior judges with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $326,800. Hilo is a smaller market (pop. 45,703), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Judge Salary in Hilo by Experience

In Hilo, an entry-level judge earns around $98,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $326,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 152% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$98,800
+$33,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$228,000
+$78,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$326,800
+$111,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Hilo, HI

Percentile Hilo
10th Percentile $88,160
25th Percentile $136,800
Median (50th) $225,006
75th Percentile $296,400
90th Percentile $349,600

Judge Salary in Other Hawaii Cities

How to Become a Judge in Hilo

Education

Most judge positions require a doctoral degree. Hilo and the surrounding Hawaii area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Legal InterpretationJudicial ReasoningCourt ProceduresImpartialityLegal WritingCase Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, judge employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Hilo may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Judge Jobs in Hilo

Browse open judge positions in Hilo, HI:

Frequently Asked Questions: Judge Salary in Hilo

How much does a Judge make in Hilo, HI? ▼
The median judge salary in Hilo, Hawaii is $225,006 per year, which is 52.0% above the national median of $148,030. Salaries range from $88,160 (10th percentile) to $349,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Judge make per hour in Hilo? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $225,006, a judge in Hilo earns approximately $108 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Hilo compare to the Hawaii state average for judge pay? ▼
Hilo's median judge salary of $225,006 is 10.6% below the Hawaii state average of $251,651. The local cost of living index is 152% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Hilo, HI? ▼
Hilo has a cost of living index of 152% compared to the national average. This means a judge salary of $225,006 in Hilo has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a judge in Hilo? ▼
Most judge positions in Hilo require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Legal Interpretation, Judicial Reasoning, Court Procedures, Impartiality. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.