How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Employee in Hawaii? (2026)
State-specific payroll taxes, workers' comp, and total employer costs in Hawaii.
Total Cost at $60K Salary
$67,923
Cost multiplier: 1.13x
SUTA Rate (Mid)
3.0%
Wage base: $56,700
Workers' Comp Rate
2.15%
Has state income tax
Hawaii Employer Tax Details
State-specific payroll obligations for employers
| SUTA Rate Range | 0.2% – 5.6% |
| SUTA New Employer Rate (typical) | 3.0% |
| SUTA Wage Base | $56,700 |
| Workers' Compensation (avg) | 2.15% of payroll |
| State Income Tax | Yes |
| Disability Insurance | 0.5% |
Example Employer Costs in Hawaii
Mandatory employer taxes only (no benefits or overhead)
| Component | $40,000 Salary | $60,000 Salary | $80,000 Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Security (6.2%) | $2,480 | $3,720 | $4,960 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | $580 | $870 | $1,160 |
| FUTA | $42 | $42 | $42 |
| SUTA (HI) | $1,200 | $1,701 | $1,701 |
| Workers' Comp | $860 | $1,290 | $1,720 |
| State Programs (DI/PFL) | $200 | $300 | $400 |
| Total Employer Taxes | $5,362 | $7,923 | $9,983 |
| Total Cost (salary + taxes) | $45,362 (1.13x) | $67,923 (1.13x) | $89,983 (1.12x) |
These estimates include mandatory employer payroll taxes only. Add benefits ($7K-$17K) and overhead (~10% of salary) for full cost.
How Hawaii Compares
Hawaii's typical SUTA rate of 3.0% is above the national average of ~1.70%. However, with a wage base of $56,700, which is well above the federal minimum of $7,000, the effective SUTA cost per employee can be significant.
Workers' compensation at 2.15% of payroll is above the national average of ~1.20%.
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