Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Kahului, HI: $40.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Kahului, HI runs $40.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,280 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Kahului's regional price level (BEA RPP 119.3, 19% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,566 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kahului, HI, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $40.52. This is a noticeable increase compared to the national hourly median of $35.74, reflecting both the higher demand for skilled support in healthcare and the region's cost of living. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this rate translates to an income of approximately $64,000 annually, while per-diem occupational therapy assistants, who typically work flexible schedules, may earn between $30 and $45 per hour, depending on facility and contract specifics. Entry-level positions might start around $30.05 per hour, while experienced practitioners can command premium rates, peaking at $48.27 for skilled roles, which opens various opportunities in environments such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and outpatient clinics.
About the Kahului Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.05 | $240.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.26 | $274.05 |
| Median (P50) | $40.52 | $324.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.54 | $348.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.27 | $386.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kahului
Based on $40.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.52/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kahului, HI can expect to earn approximately $84,276 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,621. With a cost-of-living index of 119.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Kahului.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kahului
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,620.70 | $7,023 | $84,276 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $972.42 | $4,214 | $50,566 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $648.28 | $2,809 | $33,710 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Kahului) | $40.52 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kahului, HI earn a median of $84,280 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.38% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 5.00% below the Hawaii state average of $88,715.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.52/hr = $50,566/year (purchasing power: $42,385).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,276/year (purchasing power: $70,642).
CoL index: 119.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kahului (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Kahului grew 17.5% from $33.53/hr (2019) to $39.41/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.66/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kahului 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 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in Kahului
Several factors influence the financial landscape for occupational therapy assistants in Kahului. A part-time COTA, working a total of 24 hours each week, would take home about $62,520 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts earning around $84,280. Per diem COTAs, often encountering agency work, find themselves in a complex environment where contracts bill from $1,100 to $1,700 per week, but these positions sometimes come with less job stability and benefits. Hourly rates fluctuate significantly based on employer type; for example, skilled nursing facilities may offer competitive pay but can be impacted by reimbursement cuts like the 15% reduction implemented for OTA-provided services post-2022. When negotiating pay, it’s advisable for occupational therapy assistants to weigh the benefits of steadier positions with health insurance against the appeal of higher wages without such coverage, particularly when negotiating in a unique market like Kahului.
More salary data for Kahului, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Kahului in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Kahului?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Kahului paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Kahului?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Kahului?
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Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage 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 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Kahului. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kahului 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 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov