Hawaii Paralegal Career and Salary Guide
Currently, Hawaii does not regulate the paralegal profession, so candidates with relevant education, experience, and voluntary certification may be more competitive in the job market. On this page, you will find Hawaii paralegal salary information, job outlook, and career resources to help you launch your paralegal career.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Paralegal in Hawaii
- Paralegal Certification
- Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
- Paralegal Resources
How to Become a Paralegal in Hawaii
Since Hawaii does not have mandatory requirements for paralegals, candidates for paralegal jobs may take a variety of career paths. Following are the basic steps to becoming a paralegal in Hawaii:
1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.
Several Hawaii paralegal programs are available, culminating in certificates in paralegal studies and paralegal associate’s degrees, most of which include instruction in formal legal writing, legal technology, and substantive areas of law. The American Bar Association (ABA) has approved one Hawaii paralegal program.1
2. Gain experience.
Prospective paralegals may start as legal secretaries or document preparers and advance to the paralegal position, and promising candidates may be offered on-the-job training for paralegal work. Earning work experience in the legal field through internships, externships, job shadowing, or other programs can give you an advantage in the job market as prospective employers tend to favor candidates with real-world training. These programs may be available through your school or law firms and other organizations that employ paralegals.
3. Seek certification, if desired.
Many prospective paralegals seek national certification through a paralegal association after completing a paralegal degree program. Voluntary certification can demonstrate your commitment to the legal profession and your ability to meet rigorous standards.
Paralegal Certification in Hawaii
State law identifies paralegals as nonlawyer assistants and mandates that they must work under the supervision of a qualified attorney. Voluntary certification is available to qualified candidates with a paralegal studies degree or certificate through national organizations, such as the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA, the Paralegal Association); the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA); and the American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc. (AAPI). Learn more about how to earn voluntary paralegal certification in our guide to becoming a paralegal.
Hawaii Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported 1,170 paralegals and legal assistants working in Hawaii.2 Most paralegals work in the Honolulu metropolitan area.3 The average Hawaii paralegal salary was reported to be $64,250, compared to $66,460 nationwide.2 The table below compares the number of paralegals employed and their average annual salaries by metro area in the state.
Hawaii Paralegal Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Number Employed3 | Average Annual Salary3 |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 1,170 | $64,250 |
| Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina | 140 | $71,660 |
| Hawaii/Kauai Nonmetropolitan Area | 140 | $59,890 | Urban Honolulu | 900 | $63,790 |
Paralegal Employers in Hawaii
Though corporate legal departments require paralegal support, law firms remain the primary employers of paralegals and legal assistants. Due to their larger client base, law firms may offer paralegals the chance to specialize in a particular area of the law or a certain industry. Corporations often hire paralegals to support internal legal departments and are another good option for entry-level paralegal positions. Government organizations may also be good sources for finding Hawaii paralegal jobs. LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (Hawaii or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities, job postings, and companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in Hawaii with the most LinkedIn users as paralegals include:
- Carlsmith Ball
- Clay Iwamura Pulice & Nervell
- Legal Aid Society of Hawaii
- State of Hawaii
- US Army
- US Navy
For more information about paralegal careers, take a look at our careers page.
Paralegal Resources
Here are some resources to help paralegals in Hawaii with professional development, networking, and career growth.
Paralegal Associations in Hawaii
These are volunteer organizations, typically with elected boards, that focus on professional development and networking for a specific geographical location and/or area of law.
- Hawaii Paralegal Association (HPA): Promotes the paralegal profession and the professional development of its members through networking and learning opportunities.
Additional Resources
- Hawaii State Judiciary: Provides information about the court system and rules in Hawaii and offers online services, such as e-filing, document submission, and payment of fines.
- Hawaii State Law Library System: Maintains locations across the islands, primarily housed within the Supreme Court and Circuit Court buildings for each district, that offer circulation privileges for federal and state materials.
- Paralegal411 Jobs Board: To search for paralegal jobs in your area, visit our jobs board.
- University of Hawaii at Manoa Law Library: Houses regular and electronic collections open to the public with a specialization in Hawaiian law, including Indigenous law.
References:
1. American Bar Association Directory of ABA Approved Paralegal Education Programs: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/paralegals/paralegal-resource-directory/
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wages, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes232011.htm
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm