CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Hawaii
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for HI
How to Become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) 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.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Requirements in Hawaii
| Detail | Hawaii |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Hawaii Board of Public Accountancy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| 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. |
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Salary in Hawaii
The median cpa salary in Hawaii is $67,820 per year, which is 17.0% below the national median of $81,680.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $49,050 |
| 25th | $59,120 |
| 50th (median) | $67,820 |
| 75th | $87,530 |
| 90th (experienced) | $108,520 |
Hawaii employs approximately 4,940 cpas.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Job Outlook
AI Impact on CPAs
High AI Exposure (Score: 1.48/1.00)
Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.
Is Becoming a CPA in Hawaii Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $1,310 and a median salary of $67,820 in Hawaii, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: Hawaii's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.