Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Honolulu, HI: $94,359 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Honolulu, HI earns a median $94,359/year (≈ $45.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Honolulu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $79,094 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Honolulu, HI, are projected to earn a median salary of $94,359 in 2026, reflecting a significant premium compared to the national median of $74,332. The local salary range spans from $62,660 at the 10th percentile to $118,426 at the 90th percentile. This compensation data reflects local estimates based on BLS state-level information and regional cost adjustments. The dynamics of occupational therapy assistant pay in Honolulu are influenced by the distinct environment of skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals, especially as post-Medicare cuts have affected how services are billed and reimbursed. Given the growing demand for therapy services, particularly in outpatient and rehabilitation settings, there remains a competitive job market for professionals in this field.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,660 | $30.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,877 | $36.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,359 | $45.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,710 | $50.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,426 | $56.94 |
Median Salary Position
26.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Honolulu
In Honolulu, HI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,766 (2026 est.). At $94,359, the local median is 26.94% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Honolulu: You'd be above the median
How Honolulu Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Honolulu median: $94,359/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $88,683 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +26.94% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Honolulu, HI earn a median of $94,359 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.94% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 6.40% above the Hawaii state average of $88,683.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Honolulu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $94,359 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $79,094 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,083
2025 BLS Actual
$91,780
2026 Current Est.
$94,359
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,083 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,898 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,362 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,561 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,065 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,399 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,359 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,011 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Honolulu metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $78,083 (2019) to $91,780 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,011 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,928 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the 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 2.81% 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) | $62,660 – $76,877 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,877 – $94,359 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,359 – $105,710 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,710 – $118,426 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Honolulu
In Honolulu, there are currently 68 occupational therapy assistants employed across various healthcare settings, where pay can vary significantly based on the type of institution. The local cost-of-living index stands at 119.3, suggesting that while salaries are higher than the national average, actual buying power may be impacted due to living expenses. Employers that tend to offer higher wages include hospital inpatient rehab facilities and outpatient clinics, while contracting with school districts may yield lower compensation. The spread between lower and higher salaries can be attributed to factors such as workplace productivity expectations, specific employer budgets, and the influence of the 15% Medicare reimbursement reduction impacting COTA roles. For those seeking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Honolulu, pursuing positions in hospital settings, focusing on continuing education, or considering a COTA-to-MOT bridge pathway could enhance professional appeal and financial rewards.
More salary data for Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $91,780 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Honolulu metropolitan area. A 2.81% 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 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 2.81%, 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