At a glance
- Minimum wage: $16.00 an hour, rising to $18.00 on January 1, 2028.
- Tipped cash wage: $14.75.
- Overtime: after 40 hours in a workweek.
- Final paycheck if fired: immediately, or by the next working day if immediate payment isn't possible.
- Paid sick leave: No. Paid family leave program: Disability only.
What Hawaii employers need to know
Hawaii's minimum wage is rising in steps set by a 2022 law: $16.00 since 2026 and $18.00 on January 1, 2028. Its tip credit is small, just $1.25, and only allowed when the employee's wages plus tips are at least $7.00 above the minimum wage. Hawaii is one of a handful of states that require temporary disability insurance and employer-provided health insurance under the Prepaid Health Care Act for employees working 20 or more hours a week.
Hawaii minimum wage
| Minimum wage | $16.00 |
|---|---|
| Tipped cash wage | $14.75 |
| Next change | $18.00 on January 1, 2028 |
Pay the highest rate that applies where the employee works: federal, state, or local. For comparison, neighboring states pay California ($16.90), Alaska ($14.00). See every state side by side in our minimum wage by state table, and convert between hourly and annual pay with the salary to hourly calculator.
Hawaii overtime rules
The federal FLSA rule applies: overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek. There is no daily overtime rule.
Exempt salary test: Hawaii's state exemption requires a guaranteed monthly salary of at least $2,000, but the federal $684 a week test is higher and controls for most employers.
Work out overtime owed with our overtime calculator, compare states in overtime laws by state, and check classification with our guide to exempt vs non-exempt employees.
Hawaii meal and rest break laws
Meal breaks: No state meal break law for adult employees. Federal law doesn't require meal breaks either, but if you give one of 30 minutes or more and the employee is fully relieved of duty, it can be unpaid.
Rest breaks: No state rest break law for adults. Under federal law, short breaks of 5 to 20 minutes that you choose to give must be paid.
Many states have stricter break rules for minors. Compare adult rules nationwide in break laws by state, and total up shifts with the time card calculator.
Hawaii final paycheck law
| If you fire or lay off the employee | Immediately, or by the next working day if immediate payment isn't possible. |
|---|---|
| If the employee quits | On the last day if the employee gave one pay period's notice; otherwise by the next regular payday. |
| Unused vacation or PTO | Not required by state law. Follow your written policy or contract, and apply it consistently. |
Build the deadline into your offboarding checklist. Our offboarding guide covers the full process, the PTO payout calculator works out the amount, and the final paycheck laws by state table compares every state.
Hawaii paid sick leave and family leave
Paid sick leave: No statewide paid sick leave law. Check city and county rules, and federal contractor rules (Executive Order 13706) if they apply.
Paid family and medical leave: No paid family leave program, but Hawaii requires Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI), which pays partial wages for an employee's own non-work illness or injury. Employers may deduct part of the cost from wages.
Federal FMLA: employers with 50 or more employees within 75 miles must also give eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave. Read our FMLA guide, and compare states in paid leave laws by state.
Hiring, pay transparency, and payroll setup
Pay transparency: Required for employers with 50 or more employees: an hourly rate or salary range in job postings.
New hire reporting: Report each new hire within 20 days of the hire date, the federal deadline.
State income tax withholding: Yes. Register with the state tax agency before the first payroll.
State disability insurance: Hawaii requires temporary disability insurance coverage, funded at least in part through payroll.
Our pay transparency laws guide explains posting rules in more depth, and our job description templates include pay data for 50 common roles.
What trips up Hawaii employers
- The Prepaid Health Care Act requires health coverage for employees working 20 or more hours a week for 4 consecutive weeks.
- Temporary Disability Insurance is mandatory, through an insurer or an approved self-insured plan.
- Tip credits only apply when wages plus tips are at least $7.00 above the minimum wage.
Sources and the agency to contact
- Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (state labor agency)
- US Department of Labor: state minimum wage laws
- US Department of Labor: minimum wages for tipped employees by state
- US Department of Labor: state meal period requirements
General information for US employers, not legal advice. Laws change and have exceptions by industry, employer size, and city. Confirm current rules with the state agency or employment counsel before you rely on them.
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Suggested citation: HRTally Research Team. "Hawaii labor laws for employers (2026)." HRTally, updated October 20, 2026. https://www.hrtally.com/state-labor-laws/hawaii/
Frequently asked questions
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Written by the HRTally Research Team
Our guides are written and reviewed by people with hands-on US HR, payroll, and HR technology experience. Legal and tax facts are checked against primary sources, such as the Department of Labor, IRS, EEOC, and USCIS, and linked at the end of each guide. Vendors never review or pay for our editorial content.