Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in East Honolulu, HI: $82,151 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in East Honolulu, HI earns a median $82,151/year (≈ $39.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in East Honolulu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $68,861 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in East Honolulu, HI, can expect a median annual salary of $82,151, which is approximately 16.95% higher than the national median of $70,247. The local salary range notably spans from $57,152 at the 10th percentile to $108,129 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse work environments and experience levels in this field. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors that are relevant for East Honolulu. The occupation's pathway includes a bridge from PTA to DPT, influencing long-term earning potential as professionals advance their qualifications in an expanding job market with considerable opportunities for growth.
About the East Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,152 | $27.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,132 | $34.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,151 | $39.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,926 | $43.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,129 | $51.98 |
Median Salary Position
16.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in East Honolulu
In East Honolulu, HI, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,977 (2026 est.). At $82,151, the local median is 16.95% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in East Honolulu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How East Honolulu Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
East Honolulu median: $82,151/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | East Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $83,828 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +16.95% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in East Honolulu, HI earn a median of $82,151 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.95% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 2.00% below the Hawaii state average of $83,828.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
East Honolulu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
East Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,151 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $68,861 — a 16.18% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$68,753
2025 BLS Actual
$79,968
2026 Current Est.
$82,151
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in East Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,753 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,899 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,548 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,407 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,939 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,863 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,968 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,151 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,394 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the East Honolulu metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $68,753 (2019) to $79,968 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,394 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,641 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the East Honolulu 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $57,152 – $71,132 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,132 – $82,151 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,151 – $90,926 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,926 – $108,129 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in East Honolulu
Analyzing the local job market, East Honolulu employs about 12 physical therapist assistants, making this a tight-knit community where personal connections can enhance employment prospects. The cost-of-living index stands at 119.3, emphasizing that while salaries are above national averages, purchasing power may be influenced by local expenses. Outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the highest pay, along with skilled nursing facilities and hospital rehabilitation programs, although factors like productivity expectations and supervision by physical therapists further differentiate compensation levels. The recent 15% cut in Medicare reimbursement has also played a role in compressing pay, particularly in settings heavily reliant on Medicare services. To maximize earnings in East Honolulu, candidates should focus on gaining diverse experience across various settings, consider pursuing additional education for the PTA-to-DPT pathway, and stay informed on local employer needs, as these strategies can significantly impact overall pay and career advancement.
More salary data for East Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in East Honolulu, HI in 2026?
Is East Honolulu, HI a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in East Honolulu?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in East Honolulu?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in East Honolulu?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Hawaii
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $79,968 for physical therapist assistantsin the East Honolulu metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for East Honolulu is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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