Hawaii minimum wage 2027: stays $16.00 an hour

Hawaii minimum wage 2027: no increase in 2027: $16.00 per hour since January 1, 2026; next step $18.00 per hour from January 1, 2028 (Hawaii DLIR minimum wage page; U.S. DOL state table). Verified Nov 12, 2026 on two official pages.

“$16.00 per hour beginning January 1, 2026; and $18.00 per hour beginning January 1, 2028.”

Second official source: “Hawaii Basic Minimum Rate (per hour): $16.00” (U.S. DOL state table).

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What changes for Hawaii employers in 2027

Rate in force now: Hawaii's minimum wage is $16.00 per hour. (State Minimum Wage Laws (U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division table, updated July 1, 2026); Hawaii DLIR Wage Standards Division, Minimum Wage and Overtime (Chapter 387, HRS); verified Sep 27, 2026).

Other Hawaii minimum rates

• Tip credit: “(5) $1.25 per hour beginning January 1, 2024; and (6) $1.50 per hour beginning January 1, 2028, below the applicable minimum wage” (HRS §387-2 (Hawaii Legislature))

How we checked that nothing changes in 2027

• Hawaii's November 3, 2026 ballot had two statewide questions, on judicial appointments (Question 1) and county RISE bonds (Question 2), and none on the minimum wage (Hawaii Office of Elections).
• HRS §387-2 as published by the Hawaii Legislature schedules $16.00 from January 1, 2026 and then $18.00 from January 1, 2028, with no 2027 step (HRS §387-2 (Hawaii Legislature)).

Paying the minimum wage in Hawaii: paydays, final pay and breaks

• Paydays: Hawaii private employers must pay wages at least twice a month (semi-monthly); monthly pay is allowed only by employee election under a special procedure or by exception from the director. (State Payday Requirements (U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division table, January 1, 2023); Hawaii DLIR Wage Standards Division (Chapter 388, HRS, Payment of Wages and Other Compensation Law); verified Sep 27, 2026)
• Final pay after a firing: A discharged employee must be paid all earned wages in full at the time of discharge, or no later than the next working day. (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 388-3(a) (as stated by the Wage Standards Division); Hawaii DLIR Wage and Hour Law poster (2024); verified Sep 24, 2026)
• Final pay after a resignation (with notice): If the employee gives at least one pay period's notice of intention to quit, all wages earned must be paid at the time of quitting (the last day of employment). (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 388-3(b) (as stated by the Wage Standards Division); Hawaii DLIR Wage and Hour Law poster (2024); verified Sep 24, 2026)
• Meal breaks: No state meal break requirement for adult employees in Hawaii; the only break requirement applies to minors aged fourteen or fifteen. (Minimum Length of Meal Period Required under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector (U.S. DOL WHD table, January 1, 2023); Hawaii DLIR Wage Standards Division, Breaks: Meal & Rest; verified Sep 27, 2026)
• Rest breaks: No state rest break requirement for adult employees in Hawaii. (Minimum Paid Rest Period Requirements Under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector (U.S. DOL WHD table, January 1, 2023); Hawaii DLIR Wage Standards Division, Breaks: Meal & Rest; verified Sep 27, 2026)

Every verified rule for the state, with the law cited: Hawaii employer rulebook.

Exempt salary threshold in 2027: Federal $684 a week ($35,568 a year); no higher state threshold found (U.S. DOL thresholds page; eCFR 29 CFR 541.600) Verified Oct 21, 2026

Each change with its official text: Hawaii rules.

Hawaii minimum wage rates: now, 2027 and next

2027 minimum wage: Hawaii and neighboring states

Each state links to its rulebook, and to its own 2027 minimum wage page where we have one. The same rows, for every state, are in the 2027 table by state.

How to act on it

Full-time pay at the rate in 2027 (computed: hourly rate × 40 hours a week and × 2,080 hours a year, before taxes): $16.00 = $640.00 a week, $33,280 a year.

Questions about the Hawaii minimum wage in 2027

Sources (18)

• Hawaii DLIR minimum wage page
• U.S. DOL state table
• U.S. DOL thresholds page
• eCFR 29 CFR 541.600
• Hawaii Office of Elections
• HRS §387-2 (Hawaii Legislature)
• State Payday Requirements (U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division table, January 1, 2023)
• Hawaii DLIR Wage Standards Division (Chapter 388, HRS, Payment of Wages and Other Compensation Law)
• Haw. Rev. Stat. § 388-3(a) (as stated by the Wage Standards Division)
• Hawaii DLIR Wage and Hour Law poster (2024)
• Minimum Length of Meal Period Required under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector (U.S. DOL WHD table, January 1, 2023)
• Hawaii DLIR Wage Standards Division, Breaks: Meal & Rest
• Minimum Paid Rest Period Requirements Under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector (U.S. DOL WHD table, January 1, 2023)
• U.S. DOL minimum wage page
• 29 U.S.C. §206 (govinfo)
• CA DIR news release 2026-66
• Oregon BOLI minimum wage page
• L&I news release 26-17

Checked Nov 12, 2026 · How we verify every rule · Report an error

Where this goes next

StateHawaii employer rulebookAll 51 statesMinimum wage by state 20272027Every Hawaii change in 2027ToolHourly to salary calculator