Tipped & Minimum Wage in Hilo, Hawaii (2026)
Hilo, Hawaii follows the Hawaii state minimum wage of $16.00/hour in 2026. There is no separate municipal wage that TipFig identified as of 2026-08-29. Below: the state tipped-wage rules as they apply in Hilo, plus tipping etiquette.
By The TipFig Editorial Team · independent editorial research project
Minimum-Wage Law in Hilo (Hawaii state)
State Min
$16.00/hr
Tipped Cash Wage
$14.75/hr
Max Tip Credit
$1.25/hr
Tip Credit?
Yes
Standard Tip Percentages in Hilo
Restaurants
15–20%
Delivery
15–20%
Rideshare
15–20%
Bars
$1–2/drink
Hotel
$2–5/night
Salon/Spa
15–20%
These percentages are general U.S. etiquette norms. In Hilo, the tipped cash wage is lower than the full minimum, so tips are a core part of server income — 15–20% on the pre-tax subtotal is the expected norm.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Hilo, Hawaii in 2026?
Hilo does not have a separate municipal minimum-wage ordinance that TipFig identified as of 2026-08-29, so employers in Hilo apply the Hawaii state minimum wage of $16.00/hour. This can change — confirm the current rate with the Hawaii Department of Labor. (State figures: U.S. Department of Labor, July 1, 2026.)
Does Hilo have its own minimum wage or follow Hawaii state law?
As of TipFig's 2026-08-29 review, Hilo does not have a separate municipal minimum-wage ordinance that TipFig identified, so it follows Hawaii state law ($16.00/hour). Some cities in other states do set local rates; always verify with the Hawaii Department of Labor, since local laws change.
What is the tipped minimum wage and tip credit in Hilo?
In Hilo, the tipped cash wage is $14.75/hour and employers may take a tip credit of up to $1.25/hour, for a combined cash-plus-tip minimum of $16.00/hour. If tips don't bring the employee to the minimum, the employer must make up the difference.
How much should I tip in Hilo?
Like the rest of the U.S., Hilo follows national tipping norms — tip 15–20% on the pre-tax subtotal at restaurants, bars, and for delivery and rideshare, not the 4.5% combined sales tax. In Hawaii, tipped workers already earn at least $16.00/hour, yet 15–20% remains the customary gratuity because tips supplement take-home pay.
Other Hawaii Cities
More State Guides
State minimum-wage figures are from the U.S. Department of Labor — Wage and Hour Division: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (July 1, 2026), retrieved 2026-08-09. Minimum wages change frequently; verify with the Hawaii Department of Labor before making wage or payroll decisions. Tip percentages are general etiquette guidelines, not legal advice. Sales-tax rates are approximate combined state + local averages.