Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Hawaii: $75,040 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Hawaii's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $75,040/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Hawaii sits at BEA RPP 119.3 (19% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $62,900 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Honolulu ($86,804), Kaneohe ($81,064), Mililani Town ($80,918).
In 2026, the average median salary for physical therapist assistants in Hawaii is projected to be $75,039, which is 6.8% higher than the national median of $70,247. The salary variation between cities is significant, with Honolulu offering the highest average at $89,174, while Urban Honolulu presents the lowest at $68,315. This $20,859 gap is influenced by factors like cost of living, demand for services, and local healthcare infrastructure. Hawaii's state-specific factors, including licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, play a crucial role in shaping the job market. Physical therapist assistants are required to hold a valid license to practice, which ensures a standard level of competency. The demand for physical therapist assistants is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.73%, indicating a steady need for services in various healthcare settings across the state. Currently, there are approximately 325 physical therapist assistants employed in Hawaii, with the highest paying cities also reflecting greater healthcare investment and population density, such as Kaneohe ($83,277), Mililani Town ($83,127), Kailua ($83,075), and East Honolulu ($82,151). This outlook is positive, suggesting ongoing opportunities in the field amidst a rising demand for rehabilitation services.
Hawaii Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Hawaii: $51,273 (lowest entry-level) to $118,213 (highest top earner)
Hawaii vs National Average
Hawaii physical therapist assistants earn 6.82% more than the national median (+$4,793/year difference).
Hawaii Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Hawaii range from $53,843 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $90,322 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $75,040. The Hawaii median is $4,793 above the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $36.08/hr. Approximately 325 physical therapist assistants are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,600
2025 BLS Actual
$73,045
2026 Current Est.
$75,040
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Hawaii (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,778 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,045 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,040 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,088 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hawaii metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 26.8% from $57,600 (2019) to $73,045 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,088 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,488 (33.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hawaii metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Hawaii
Lowest Paying Cities in Hawaii
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | $68,315 |
| Hilo | $79,524 |
| Kahului | $79,648 |
| Pearl City | $81,339 |
| Waipahu | $82,119 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Hawaii
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Hawaii cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $89,174 | 119.3 | $74,748 |
| Kaneohe | $83,277 | 119.3 | $69,805 |
| Mililani Town | $83,127 | 119.3 | $69,679 |
| Kailua | $83,075 | 119.3 | $69,635 |
| East Honolulu | $82,151 | 119.3 | $68,861 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Hawaii
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $53,843 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $75,040 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $90,322 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Hawaii metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Hawaii
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honolulu | $89,174 |
| 2 | Kaneohe | $83,277 |
| 3 | Mililani Town | $83,127 |
| 4 | Kailua | $83,075 |
| 5 | East Honolulu | $82,151 |
| 6 | Waipahu | $82,119 |
| 7 | Pearl City | $81,339 |
| 8 | Kahului | $79,648 |
| 9 | Hilo | $79,524 |
| 10 | Urban Honolulu | $68,315 |
More Hawaii Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Hawaii cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new physical therapist assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.
Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Hawaii in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Hawaii?
How does Hawaii physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Hawaii?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Hawaii?
Which Hawaii city offers the best value for physical therapist assistants?
Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist assistant compensation across Hawaii. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapist assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov