Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Urban Honolulu, HI: $68,315 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Urban Honolulu, HI earns a median $68,315/year (≈ $32.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Urban Honolulu's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.0), that paycheck buys what $61,567 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.5% below the Hawaii state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $68,315 for physical therapist assistants in Urban Honolulu, HI, the market presents a competitive yet nuanced compensation landscape. The salary range spans from $51,273 at the 10th percentile to $76,585 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of experience and workplace settings. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the impact of demographic shifts and Medicare cuts on the industry, particularly as outpatient settings adjust following structural changes. As facilities have adapted to a post-Medicare cut environment, understanding how these changes influence earning potential is crucial for navigating the job market in Urban Honolulu.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,273 | $24.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,981 | $29.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,315 | $32.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,418 | $35.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,585 | $36.82 |
Median Salary Position
2.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urban Honolulu
In Urban Honolulu, HI, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,312 (2026 est.). At $68,315, the local median is 2.75% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Urban Honolulu: You'd be above the median
How Urban Honolulu Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Urban Honolulu median: $68,315/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urban Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $83,823 | -18.50% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -2.75% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Urban Honolulu, HI earn a median of $68,315 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.75% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 18.50% below the Hawaii state average of $83,823.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urban Honolulu has a cost of living 10.96% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Urban Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 110.961 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $68,315 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,567 — a 9.88% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,600
2025 BLS Actual
$66,500
2026 Current Est.
$68,315
2019–2027 Growth
+21.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Urban Honolulu (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 | $60,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,315 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,180 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urban Honolulu metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 15.5% from $57,600 (2019) to $66,500 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,180 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,580 (21.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urban 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) | $51,273 – $60,981 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,981 – $68,315 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,315 – $74,418 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,418 – $76,585 |
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 Urban Honolulu
In Urban Honolulu, the employment of 200 physical therapist assistants signifies a localized job market that remains relatively stable. However, with a cost-of-living index of 110.961, the actual take-home pay can be significantly affected, especially for those employed in settings like outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies. These environments often dictate pay scales, with hospitals typically offering higher compensation compared to outpatient and skilled nursing facilities, especially post-2022 Medicare cuts which heavily diminished reimbursement rates for PTA-provided services. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to differing productivity expectations, supervision needs, and the additional premiums given for weekend or PRN work. For aspiring PTAs looking to maximize earnings in Urban Honolulu, gaining experience in higher-paying settings or pursuing specialty certifications could greatly enhance their financial prospects within this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Urban Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Urban Honolulu, HI in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Urban Honolulu?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Urban Honolulu?
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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 $66,500 for physical therapist assistantsin the Urban 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
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