Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Kahului, HI: $84,280 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Kahului, HI earns a median $84,280/year (≈ $40.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Kahului's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $70,645 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kahului, Hawaii, the projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant is set at $84,280 for 2026. This figure represents a notable increase compared to national averages, positioning local salaries roughly 13.38% higher than the national median of $74,332. Occupational therapy assistants in Kahului can expect a salary range from $62,506 at the 10th percentile to $100,398 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost of living factors, underscore the financial incentives available for those considering the COTA-to-MOT bridge pathway, as pursuing further education can significantly enhance lifetime earnings. With a current base of five occupational therapy assistants employed in the area, it is crucial for prospective COTAs to understand the local job market and potential for advancement.
About the Kahului Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,506 | $30.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,252 | $34.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,280 | $40.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,566 | $43.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,398 | $48.27 |
Median Salary Position
13.38% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kahului
In Kahului, HI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,892 (2026 est.). At $84,280, the local median is 13.38% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Kahului: You'd be above the median
How Kahului Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Kahului median: $84,280/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kahului Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $88,715 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +13.38% more |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kahului has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kahului, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,280 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,645 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,742
2025 BLS Actual
$81,976
2026 Current Est.
$84,280
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,742 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,363 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,991 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,849 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,978 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,636 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,976 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,280 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,648 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kahului metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $69,742 (2019) to $81,976 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,648 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,906 (24.24%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $62,506 – $71,252 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,252 – $84,280 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,280 – $90,566 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,566 – $100,398 |
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 Kahului
Occupational therapy assistant pay in Kahului, HI, is influenced by the area's relatively high cost of living, with a cost-of-living index of 119.3, indicating that expenses are above the national average. This economic context impacts the take-home purchasing power of COTAs and emphasizes the importance of selecting employers wisely. Those working in hospital inpatient rehab settings tend to command higher salaries compared to counterparts in skilled nursing facilities and school districts. The disparity in pay is driven by various factors, including productivity expectations, the nature of the work environment, and the effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on certain service areas. Aspiring occupational therapy assistants should target employment opportunities in high-paying sectors, consider seeking additional certifications, and remain flexible with their work availability, especially for weekend or PRN assignments, to optimize their compensation in Kahului.
More salary data for Kahului, 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 $81,976 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Kahului 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 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