Employer payroll taxes in Hawaii for 2026
On top of each paycheck, a Hawaii employer pays these taxes. None of them come out of the employee's pay. On a $60,000 salary they add $6,078.00 a year, so the employee costs $66,078.00.
| Employer tax | Rate | Wages taxed |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | 6.2% | First $184,500 |
| Medicare | 1.45% | No limit |
| Federal unemployment (FUTA) | 0.6% | First $7,000 |
| Hawaii unemployment (SUTA) | 2.41% for new employers | First $64,500 |
Hawaii unemployment tax (SUTA)
Hawaii employers pay state unemployment tax on the first $64,500 of each employee's wages in 2026. A new employer starts at 2.41%, and experienced employers pay from 0% to 5.6% depending on their layoff history.
New employers pay 2.4% plus a 0.01% training assessment.
Hawaii employers must also carry temporary disability insurance (TDI). The cost is an insurance premium rather than a set tax rate, so the calculator leaves it out.
What an employee costs in Hawaii
Yearly employer taxes and total cost for a single filer paid every two weeks, at the new-employer unemployment rate, for an employer with 10 employees. Benefits and workers' compensation insurance are extra.
| Salary | Employer taxes | Total cost | Added to pay | Employee take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $3,060.00 | $33,060 | 10.2% | $25,317 |
| $40,000 | $4,066.00 | $44,066 | 10.2% | $32,624 |
| $50,000 | $5,072.00 | $55,072 | 10.1% | $39,900 |
| $60,000 | $6,078.00 | $66,078 | 10.1% | $47,143 |
| $75,000 | $7,333.95 | $82,334 | 9.8% | $57,131 |
| $100,000 | $9,246.45 | $109,246 | 9.2% | $72,803 |
| $125,000 | $11,158.95 | $136,159 | 8.9% | $88,427 |
| $150,000 | $13,071.45 | $163,071 | 8.7% | $103,559 |
Withholding from Hawaii paychecks
From the employee's pay you withhold federal income tax under the W-4, 6.2% Social Security, 1.45% Medicare and Hawaii income tax, along with HI disability insurance. Employees checking their own pay can use the Hawaii paycheck calculator. Running a bonus? Use the bonus payroll calculator.
Hawaii employer taxes compared with nearby states
The same $60,000 employee, at each state's new-employer unemployment rate. Of the states that border Hawaii, California has the lowest employer taxes.
| State | State unemployment | All employer taxes | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $1,446.00 | $6,078.00 | $66,078 |
| California payroll calculator | $245.00 | $4,982.00 | $64,982 |
| Alaska payroll calculator | $542.00 | $5,174.00 | $65,174 |
Sources
Hawaii unemployment and program rates come from the state's own 2026 figures: labor.hawaii.gov, labor.hawaii.gov, labor.hawaii.gov. Federal figures follow IRS Publication 15 and Publication 15-T. See how we calculate for the withholding method.