Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Waipahu, HI: $86,895 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Waipahu, HI earns a median $86,895/year (≈ $41.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Waipahu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $72,837 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Waipahu, Hawaii, have a projected median annual salary of $86,895 for 2026, surpassing the national median of $74,332 by a notable margin of 16.90%. Salary estimates from BLS state-level data show a range from $62,004 at the 10th percentile to $108,638 at the 90th percentile. These figures take into account local economic conditions and the cost of living in the area, which stands above the national average. Such robust earning potential reflects the demand for occupational therapy assistants as healthcare providers continue to rely on them in various settings, contributing to the overall growth of this profession in Waipahu.
About the Waipahu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,004 | $29.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,319 | $35.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,895 | $41.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,364 | $43.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,638 | $52.23 |
Median Salary Position
16.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waipahu
In Waipahu, HI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,634 (2026 est.). At $86,895, the local median is 16.9% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Waipahu: You'd be above the median
How Waipahu Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Waipahu median: $86,895/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waipahu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $88,668 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +16.90% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Waipahu, HI earn a median of $86,895 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.90% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.00% below the Hawaii state average of $88,668.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waipahu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waipahu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,895 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,837 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,906
2025 BLS Actual
$84,520
2026 Current Est.
$86,895
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Waipahu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,906 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,578 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,163 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,109 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,336 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,169 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,895 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,337 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waipahu metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $71,906 (2019) to $84,520 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,337 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,431 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waipahu 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) | $62,004 – $73,319 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,319 – $86,895 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,895 – $91,364 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,364 – $108,638 |
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 Waipahu
With only nine occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Waipahu, the local job market is relatively small but demonstrates an upward trend with an annual growth rate of 2.81%. The cost of living index in Waipahu is 119.3, which means that while salaries are higher, purchasing power can be impacted. Employers that tend to offer the best compensation include skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings, particularly in light of recent cuts to Medicare reimbursements for OTA services. Factors such as productivity expectations and variations in pay based on the setting, the nature of contracts—like year-round versus school-year positions—also influence salaries. Those looking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Waipahu should consider pursuing opportunities in high-demand settings and potentially explore COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways, which can enhance qualifications and open up higher-paying roles in the healthcare field.
More salary data for Waipahu, 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 $84,520 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Waipahu 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 Waipahu 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