Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Kaneohe, HI: $88,119 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Kaneohe, HI earns a median $88,119/year (≈ $42.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Kaneohe's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $73,863 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kaneohe, HI, the projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant is $88,119 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $74,332, representing an 18.55% advantage. Local salaries fall within a range from $64,947 at the 10th percentile to $104,056 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price differences, reflect the financial realities of working as a COTA in diverse settings such as skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals. With the recent Medicare reimbursement cuts, particularly impacting SNF and outpatient environments, the job market dynamics in Kaneohe showcase the importance of context when evaluating occupational therapy assistant pay in Kaneohe, HI.
About the Kaneohe Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,947 | $31.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,881 | $36.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,119 | $42.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,135 | $45.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,056 | $50.03 |
Median Salary Position
18.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kaneohe
In Kaneohe, HI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,109 (2026 est.). At $88,119, the local median is 18.55% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kaneohe: You'd be above the median
How Kaneohe Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Kaneohe median: $88,119/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kaneohe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $88,651 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +18.55% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kaneohe, HI earn a median of $88,119 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.55% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.60% below the Hawaii state average of $88,651.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kaneohe has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kaneohe, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $88,119 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,863 — a 16.18% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$72,920
2025 BLS Actual
$85,711
2026 Current Est.
$88,119
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kaneohe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,615 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,168 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,355 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,711 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,119 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,596 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kaneohe metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $72,920 (2019) to $85,711 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,596 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,676 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kaneohe 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) | $64,947 – $75,881 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,881 – $88,119 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,119 – $94,135 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,135 – $104,056 |
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 Kaneohe
Despite the limited number of employed occupational therapy assistants—only five—Kaneohe's cost of living index stands at 119.3, indicating a higher-than-average expense for housing and everyday needs. This cost elevation can significantly affect take-home pay, influencing how much occupational therapy assistants can save or spend. Among various employment settings, hospital inpatient rehabilitation is generally known to offer higher compensation compared to other environments like schools or skilled nursing facilities, largely due to factors such as productivity expectations and potential increased hours during weekends. The ongoing pressures from the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursements have led many facilities to tighten budgets, impacting pay scales. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Kaneohe, targeting hospitals or pursuing continuing education to transition from COTA to a Master’s level occupational therapist could present pathways to increased financial stability and professional advancement.
More salary data for Kaneohe, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Kaneohe, HI in 2026?
Is Kaneohe, HI a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Kaneohe?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Kaneohe?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Kaneohe?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Hawaii
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 $85,711 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Kaneohe 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 Kaneohe 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