CPA in Hawaii

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for HI. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$67,820

trending_down -17.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Hawaii.

engineering

4,940

Jobs (HI)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,310

Est. total cost

schedule

Varies (18-month exam window)

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in Hawaii

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Hawaii, candidates must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements set by the Hawaii Board of Public Accountancy. This includes holding a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours of education, passing all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination within an 18-month rolling period, and fulfilling a work experience requirement of either 1,500 chargeable auditing hours or two years of general accounting experience. Hawaii does not offer interstate reciprocity, meaning CPAs licensed in other states must apply for a Hawaii license as an initial applicant.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $49,050

25th percentile $59,120

50th (median) $67,820

75th percentile $87,530

90th (experienced) $108,520

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Hawaii. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Hawaii requirements

Licensing body	Hawaii Board of Public Accountancy
State license	Required
Education	Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,423)
Application fee	$96
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	80.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age of 18. Requires 1,500 chargeable hours in auditing or 2 years of professional experience in public accounting, private industry, government, or education. U.S. citizenship is required. No state residency requirement. No ethics exam required. Hawaii is a two-tiered state, requiring individuals to obtain a license and then a separate permit to practice. Passing the CPA Exam within 2 years of permit application can grant 80 CPE hours; within 3 years grants 40 CPE hours.

Source: Hawaii Board of Public Accountancy

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.6%

Faster than average

Annual openings

124,200

Nationwide per year

Total employment

1,579,800

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 1.48/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period

0 months

~$1,310 investment ÷ $67,820 median salary

check_circleHawaii license required — clearer credential signal to employers
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a cpa career is the right fit?

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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a cpa in Hawaii? expand_more

Hawaii requires cpas to complete the required education (Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours), pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($96 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a cpa in Hawaii? expand_more

You cannot practice as a cpa in Hawaii without a state license from Hawaii Board of Public Accountancy. The required exam is the Uniform CPA Examination.

How much does a cpa make in Hawaii? expand_more

The median cpa salary in Hawaii is $67,820 per year. This trails the $81,680 national median by 17%. The range spans from $49,050 at the entry level to $108,520 for top earners.

What's the total cost to get cpa certified in Hawaii? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($1,423) and application fee ($96). The estimated total investment is $1,310, including education and training.

What's the timeline to become a cpa in Hawaii? expand_more

In Hawaii, becoming a cpa generally takes Varies (18-month exam window), accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

Does Hawaii require continuing education for cpas? expand_more

To keep your license active, Hawaii mandates 80.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.