Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Kailua, HI: $87,907 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Kailua, HI earns a median $87,907/year (≈ $42.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Kailua's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $73,686 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kailua, Hawaii, the projected annual compensation for occupational therapy assistants is quite competitive, with a median salary estimated at $87,907 for 2026. This figure illustrates a notable 18.26% increase compared to the national average of $74,332 for the same year, indicating strong local demand for these professionals. Salaries in Kailua range from $64,337 at the lower end to $106,219 at the higher end, reflecting variations across different practice settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and school environments. As healthcare funding, particularly in settings impacted by recent Medicare cuts, fluctuates, the economic environment for occupational therapy assistants can differ considerably based on their employment location and responsibilities.
About the Kailua Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,337 | $30.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,433 | $36.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,907 | $42.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,578 | $45.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,219 | $51.07 |
Median Salary Position
18.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kailua
In Kailua, HI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,882 (2026 est.). At $87,907, the local median is 18.26% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Kailua: You'd be above the median
How Kailua Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Kailua median: $87,907/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kailua Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $88,705 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +18.26% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kailua, HI earn a median of $87,907 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.26% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.90% below the Hawaii state average of $88,705.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kailua has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kailua, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $87,907 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,686 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,743
2025 BLS Actual
$85,504
2026 Current Est.
$87,907
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kailua (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,743 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,435 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,004 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,984 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,248 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,149 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,504 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,907 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,377 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kailua metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $72,743 (2019) to $85,504 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,377 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,634 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kailua 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) | $64,337 – $75,433 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,433 – $87,907 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,907 – $95,578 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,578 – $106,219 |
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 Kailua
Evaluating the job market in Kailua reveals that there are six occupational therapy assistants currently employed, a number which suggests niche opportunities within the community. The cost-of-living index stands at 119.3, indicating that living expenses are above the national average, which could impact take-home pay and purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation programs tend to offer more favorable compensation compared to positions in outpatient clinics and school districts, particularly after the 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts affected many services. To optimize their salary, occupational therapy assistants in Kailua might consider negotiating contracts that include specific productivity expectations or pursuing year-round employment options rather than just academic year contracts. Staying informed on Medicare policies and exploring additional credentials, such as progressing from a COTA to a MOT, can also enhance salary potential within this vibrant healthcare landscape in HI.
More salary data for Kailua, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Kailua?
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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 $85,504 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Kailua 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 Kailua 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