The Hawaii state minimum wage in 2023 increased for the first time in many years, moving up from $10.10 per hour to $12.00 per hour. This represents a $1.90 increase, which equates to an 18.8% increase from the previous year.
The last Hawaii minimum wage increase saw it rise by 85 cents from $9.25 to $10.10 in the 2017/2018 year, after this, there was no change in the Hawaii minimum wage, until now.
If you are a full-time worker on Hawaii state minimum wage, your earnings could be as follows:
- Daily Minimum Wage: $96.00 (based on an 8-hour working day).
- Weekly Minimum Wage: $480.00 (based on a 40-hour week).
- Yearly Minimum Wage: $24,960.00 (based on being paid 52 weeks per year).
Did the Hawaii State Minimum Wage Go Up?
The graphic below highlights the Hawaii state minimum wage over the past several years. As you can see, in 2023, the people of Hawaii finally saw a minimum wage increase for employees of the state.
You can view and download the Hawaii state minimum wage labor law poster for 2022-2023 here at no charge. Employers must display an official poster outlining the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), ensuring that accurate employee time and pay records are kept.
Hawaii Minimum Wage 2023 Increase
The 2023 Hawaii minimum wage increase was part of an agreement that had been announced to raise the Hawaii minimum wage to $13.00 per hour by 2024. There had been previous talks of it increasing to $15.00 but that conversation was short-lived.
The Hawaii minimum wage increase has been confusing for many, not long ago the Hawaii Governor and both chambers of the legislature agreed on a $15.00 per hour wage increase by 2023.
However, after recent meetings held and talks regarding an increase in 2021, they are no longer increasing the minimum wage to $15.00 by 2023. It will become $13.00 by 2024!
Hawaii Minimum Wage History
The table below provides the current rate and history of Hawaii’s minimum wage over the past 40+ years since 1983. You can see when there were increases in the minimum wage, how much they were, and what percentage increase it represents each year.
| State | Wage | $ Wage Increase | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2023 | $12.00 | $1.90 | 18.8% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2022 | $10.10 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2021 | $10.10 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2020 | $10.10 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2019 | $10.10 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2018 | $10.10 | $0.85 | 9% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2017 | $9.25 | $1.25 | 15% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2016 | $8.50 | $1.25 | 17% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2015 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2014 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2013 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2012 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2011 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2010 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2009 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2008 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2007 | $7.25 | $0.50 | 7.4% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2006 | $6.75 | $0.50 | 8% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2005 | $6.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2004 | $6.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2003 | $6.25 | $0.50 | 8.69% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2002 | $5.75 | $0.50 | 9.52% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2001 | $5.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 2000 | $5.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 1999 | $5.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 1998 | $5.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 1997 | $5.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 1996 | $5.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 1995 | $5.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 1994 | $5.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 1993 | $5.25 | $0.50 | 10.52% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 1992 | $4.75 | $0.90 | 23.37% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 1991 | $3.85 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 1990 | $3.85 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 1989 | $3.85 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 1988 | $3.85 | $0.50 | 14.92% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 1987 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 1986 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 1985 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 1984 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
| Hawaii Minimum Wage 1983 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
Hawaii Minimum Wage Exemptions
In addition to the regular minimum wage rate, there are a few Hawaii state minimum wage exemptions that typically depend on your age or employment situation. Below are the various minimum wage exemptions with some situational examples.
Hawaii Student Minimum Wage
The minimum wage for student employees in Hawaii is 85% of the Hawaii minimum wage, making their hourly pay $10.20 per hour in 2023.
This hourly rate is for any hours worked up to 20 hours per week. As a student employee, once you surpass 20 hours per week, you will be eligible to be paid the Hawaii minimum wage rate of $12.00 per hour.
Being a student can be financially challenging, leading many students to pick up part-time jobs to make extra money while studying. Despite a student minimum wage rate, many Hawaii employers will not necessarily follow it and pay you equal to or more than the statewide minimum wage.
Many work-study programs are available at universities, which is a route many students go down. Still, coffee shop, cafe, bar, and restaurant jobs are commonly taken by students as they can work them into their class schedule.
Hawaii Under 20 Minimum Wage
If you are under 20 years old in Hawaii, federal law allows your employer to pay you as little as $4.25 per hour for your first 90 days of employment.
Once the 90-day period is over, you will be eligible to be paid the 2023 Hawaii minimum wage of $12.00 per hour or potentially even more.
Fortunately for young workers, this is 90 calendar days and not 90 working days; therefore, it can be completed relatively quickly and within about three months.
Hawaii Tipped Minimum Wage
If you are a tipped employee in Hawaii (someone who receives regular tips as a part of their job) then you are eligible to be paid a minimum wage of $11.00 per hour, with a tip credit of $1.00 per hour, ensuring that you reach the statewide minimum wage regardless if you make enough hourly tips.
Hawaii Overtime Minimum Wage
Once you work over 40 hours a week, you are eligible to be paid an overtime rate of 1.5 times your hourly wage for every hour you work past 40. So, the overtime minimum wage in Hawaii is $18.00 per hour, 1.5 times the minimum wage of $12.00 per hour.
