Hawaii's private wealth includes long-established landholding families, tourism and real estate fortunes, and mainland families with second homes on Maui, the Big Island and Kauai.
The family office landscape in Hawaii
Family offices in Hawaii are concentrated in and around:
- Honolulu
Where family office candidates come from in Hawaii
Honolulu's small finance community means many Hawaii roles are filled by staff who relocate or work remotely for mainland offices.
Across the state, accountants and auditors earn an average of $79,300, 16% below the US average of $94,750 and #46 of 51. Financial managers average $146,850, 21% below the US average of $186,910 (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025). Family offices usually pay above these averages to win experienced people.
Family office salaries in Hawaii
| Role | Base salary in HI | Typical bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Family Office Controller | $155K–$215K | 15–25% |
| Family Office Accountant | $85K–$130K | 5–15% |
| Family Office Tax Manager | $135K–$185K | 10–20% |
| Family Office CFO | $265K–$425K | 25–50% |
| Family Office Chief of Staff | $135K–$220K | 15–30% |
| Family Office Operations Manager | $115K–$180K | 10–20% |
| Family Office Executive Assistant | $80K–$135K | 10–20% |
| Family Office Payroll Manager | $100K–$135K | 5–15% |
Our estimates for a single family office managing $250M–$1B, adjusted for Hawaii using BLS pay levels for accountants and financial managers (11% below the national midpoint). Try the salary calculator for other office sizes.
Taxes, trusts and the law in Hawaii
Hawaii taxes wages at some of the highest rates in the US, so many families with homes here keep their family office and residency elsewhere.
How Hawaii compares with nearby states
| State | Accountant avg. (BLS) | Financial manager avg. (BLS) | Family office controller (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $79,300 | $146,850 | $155K–$215K |
| Alaska | $90,350 | $139,740 | $160K–$220K |
| California | $103,760 | $210,490 | $185K–$255K |
| Oregon | $93,870 | $173,790 | $170K–$235K |
| Washington | $102,700 | $195,430 | $180K–$250K |
What this means for hiring in Hawaii
Accountant pay in Hawaii ranks #46 of 51, below the national average. That makes a well-paid family office role attractive locally, and candidates relocating from higher-cost states will sometimes trade a little base salary for quality of life. Because Hawaii's taxes are among the highest in the country, candidates weigh total pay, bonus and flexibility carefully, and some families hire staff who live across a state line. With a smaller local finance community, the strongest candidates for Hawaii often live elsewhere. Plan on a recruiter-led search, and budget for relocation on senior roles.
Family office questions for Hawaii
Do Hawaii homeowners keep their family office in Hawaii?
Often not. Because Hawaii's income tax rates are among the highest in the US, many families with homes here keep their office and residency in another state and hire locally for property management.
How much do family office jobs pay in Hawaii?
We estimate a family office controller in Hawaii earns about $155K–$215K base and an accountant about $85K–$130K. For context, accountants and auditors in Hawaii earn an average of $79,300 across all employers, 16% below the US average (BLS, May 2025).
Where are family offices in Hawaii?
Mostly around Honolulu.
Does Hawaii have a state income tax on wages?
Yes. Hawaii taxes wages at some of the highest rates in the US, so many families with homes here keep their family office and residency elsewhere.