Legal Honolulu, HI Pop. 350,964

Judge Salary in Honolulu, Hawaii

The median judge salary in Honolulu, HI is $259,053 per year, which is 75.0% above the national median and 2.9% above the Hawaii state average.

City Median
$259,053
vs State Avg
+$7,402
vs National
+$111,023
Cost of Living
175%

Judge Pay in Honolulu: What to Expect (2026)

Honolulu offers a median judge salary of $259,053, which is $7,402 above the Hawaii state average of $251,651. Compared to the national median of $148,030, Honolulu pays above average for this role.

However, Honolulu's cost of living index is 175%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $259,053 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $148,030. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Honolulu should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for judges in Honolulu spans from $101,500 at the 10th percentile to $402,500 at the 90th percentile — a $301,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $113,750, while senior judges with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $376,250. With a population of 350,964, Honolulu is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Judge Salary in Honolulu by Experience

In Honolulu, an entry-level judge earns around $113,750, while experienced professionals earn up to $376,250 per year. The local cost of living index is 175% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$113,750
+$48,750 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$262,500
+$112,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$376,250
+$161,250 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Honolulu, HI

Percentile Honolulu
10th Percentile $101,500
25th Percentile $157,500
Median (50th) $259,053
75th Percentile $341,250
90th Percentile $402,500

Judge Salary in Other Hawaii Cities

How to Become a Judge in Honolulu

Education

Most judge positions require a doctoral degree. Honolulu 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 Honolulu may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Judge Jobs in Honolulu

Browse open judge positions in Honolulu, HI:

Frequently Asked Questions: Judge Salary in Honolulu

How much does a Judge make in Honolulu, HI? ▼
The median judge salary in Honolulu, Hawaii is $259,053 per year, which is 75.0% above the national median of $148,030. Salaries range from $101,500 (10th percentile) to $402,500 (90th percentile).
How much does a Judge make per hour in Honolulu? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $259,053, a judge in Honolulu earns approximately $125 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Honolulu compare to the Hawaii state average for judge pay? ▼
Honolulu's median judge salary of $259,053 is 2.9% above the Hawaii state average of $251,651. The local cost of living index is 175% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Honolulu, HI? ▼
Honolulu has a cost of living index of 175% compared to the national average. This means a judge salary of $259,053 in Honolulu has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a judge in Honolulu? ▼
Most judge positions in Honolulu 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.