Occupational Therapist Salary in Honolulu, HI: $131,260 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Honolulu, HI earns a median $131,260/year (≈ $63.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Honolulu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $110,025 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapists in Honolulu, HI, can anticipate a median annual salary of $131,260 in 2026, which represents a significant 26.94% increase over the national median of $103,400 for the same year. The salary range for this profession in the area stretches from $87,461 at the 10th percentile to $174,854 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy market for those entering the field or considering a change in employment. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect the local economic environment, including factors such as the high cost of living in Honolulu, where occupational therapists often weigh opportunities in hospital settings against those in schools and skilled nursing facilities, leading to various contractual nuances in salary decisions.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,461 | $42.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,953 | $49.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,260 | $63.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,194 | $75.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $174,854 | $84.07 |
Median Salary Position
26.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Honolulu
In Honolulu, HI, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $87,393 (2026 est.). At $131,260, the local median is 26.94% above the national median of $103,400.
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At 40 hours/week in Honolulu: You'd be above the median
How Honolulu Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Honolulu median: $131,260/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $123,365 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $103,400 | +26.94% more |
Occupational Therapists in Honolulu, HI earn a median of $131,260 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.94% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 6.40% above the Hawaii state average of $123,365.
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 $131,260 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $110,025 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,839
2025 BLS Actual
$127,363
2026 Current Est.
$131,260
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,839 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,527 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,626 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,286 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,336 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,405 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,363 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,260 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,277 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Honolulu metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $107,839 (2019) to $127,363 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,277 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,438 (25.44%) 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 3.06% 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) | $87,461 – $102,953 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,953 – $131,260 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,260 – $156,194 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,194 – $174,854 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Honolulu
With 68 occupational therapists currently employed in Honolulu, the local job market maintains a modest level of competition, bolstered by an annual growth rate of 3.06%. However, the cost-of-living index stands at 119.3, which suggests that higher salaries might be necessary to maintain purchasing power in this vibrant city. Among employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation often offer the most competitive salaries, particularly for those with advanced certifications like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential, which can add a premium to compensation. The difference between lower and higher salaries can be attributed to various factors, including productivity expectations and the nature of contracts—year-round versus school-year positions—which may also impact take-home pay. To maximize compensation, occupational therapists in Honolulu should focus on gaining specialized certifications, negotiating contracts strategically, and seeking out positions that align with high-demand settings.
More salary data for Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Honolulu, HI in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Honolulu?
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Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.
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 $127,363 for occupational therapistsin the Honolulu metropolitan area. A 3.06% 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 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov