Cost to hire an employee in Hawaii
On top of a $50,000 salary, a Hawaii employer pays roughly $6,332 in payroll taxes and insurance before benefits, about 12.7% of wages.
Last verified November 2, 2026. Sources: news.bloombergtax.com, labor.hawaii.gov, taxnews.ey.com, oregon.gov.
What a Hawaii employer pays
| Cost | Rate | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | 6.2% | Wages up to $184,500 |
| Medicare | 1.45% | All wages |
| Federal unemployment (FUTA) | 0.6% net | First $7,000 |
| Hawaii unemployment (SUTA) | 2.41% new employer 0%–5.6% experienced | First $64,500 |
| Workers' compensation | ~$2.52 per $100 | Varies by job class |
Employment & Training (E&T) assessment 0.01% on the UI wage base. A UI Technology Special Fund tax was added in 2024. TDI is a separate program (employee pays up to 0.5%).
Total cost at different salaries
| Salary | Employer taxes & insurance | % of salary | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,000 | $4,445 | 12.7% | $39,445 |
| $50,000 | $6,332 | 12.7% | $56,332 |
| $75,000 | $9,224 | 12.3% | $84,224 |
| $100,000 | $11,766 | 11.8% | $111,766 |
| $150,000 | $16,851 | 11.2% | $166,851 |
Benefits usually cost more than taxes. The BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation survey puts benefits at roughly 30% of total compensation in private industry. Add your health plan cost in the calculator to include it.
Hawaii vs. neighboring states
| State | SUTA wage base | New-employer rate | Cost on $50,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $64,500 | 2.41% | $6,332 |
| California | $7,000 | 3.5% | $5,147 |
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to hire an employee in Hawaii?
- On a $50,000 salary, employer payroll taxes and insurance add about $6,332 (12.7%), before benefits, for a total of $56,332.
- What is the Hawaii SUTA rate for new employers?
- New employers generally pay 2.41% on the first $64,500 of each employee's wages. Experienced employers pay between 0% and 5.6%.
- Do Hawaii employers pay FUTA?
- Yes. Employers pay 6.0% on the first $7,000 of wages, reduced to 0.6% with the state unemployment credit.