Finance · Honolulu, HI

Underwriter Salary in Honolulu, HI (2026)

Median Underwriter salary in Honolulu is approximately $110,500/year — 30.0% above the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Honolulu

$110,500
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$53
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$4,250
Monthly
$9,208
Annual (gross)
$110,500
vs Hawaii state average
State avg: $97,700
+$12,800
vs US national
National median: $85,000
+$25,500

After-tax estimate

$81,052
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$110,500
Federal tax (~14%)
−$15,470
FICA (7.65%)
−$8,453
Hawaii state tax
~5% effective
−$5,525
Estimated take-home
$81,052
Monthly take-home
$6,754
For exact take-home, use our Honolulu Paycheck Calculator.
Underwriter salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Honolulu
Irvine, CA1.30×$110,500+$0
New York City, NY1.32×$112,200+$1,700
Oakland, CA1.35×$114,800+$4,300
Los Angeles, CA1.22×$103,700-$6,800
Boston, MA1.22×$103,700-$6,800

Underwriter salaries in Honolulu, HI

The estimated median Underwriter salary in Honolulu, Hawaii is $110,500/year, working out to approximately $53/hour at full-time, $4,250 per biweekly paycheck, or $9,208/month before taxes. Honolulu's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.30× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Hawaii state average for this role ($97,700), Honolulu pays about $12,800 more. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in Honolulu

Of the gross $110,500, you take home roughly $81,052 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Hawaii state income tax (~5% effective)
  • Honolulu has no local income tax

That works out to about $6,754/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Honolulu Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Honolulu pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Honolulu typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Honolulu employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Underwriter Salary in Hawaii — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Honolulu Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Underwriter salary in Honolulu?
The estimated median Underwriter salary in Honolulu, Hawaii is $110,500 per year, or approximately $53/hour at standard full-time. Honolulu sits 30.0% above the US national average for this role.
Honolulu vs Hawaii state — what's the salary difference?
Honolulu: $110,500. Hawaii state average for Underwriter: $97,700. Difference: +$12,800 (13.1%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Honolulu have a city income tax?
No, Honolulu has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and Hawaii state tax apply (roughly 5% effective state rate at this income).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Honolulu's cost of living relative to the US average. Honolulu's multiplier is 1.30× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Underwriter in Honolulu?
Estimate: $81,052/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Hawaii state tax (~5.0% effective), and Honolulu local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Honolulu Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.