Occupational Therapist Salary in Pearl City, HI: $119,728 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Pearl City, HI earns a median $119,728/year (≈ $57.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Pearl City's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $100,359 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, occupational therapists in Pearl City, HI can expect a median annual salary of $119,728. This figures not only reflects local market conditions but also indicates a substantial increase compared to the national average of $103,400, signifying a 15.79% premium in the region. Salary distribution in Pearl City spans a wide range, with entry-level positions starting around $83,323 and more experienced therapists earning up to $155,980. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, consider the higher living costs that are prevalent in Hawaii, highlighting the competitive nature of occupational therapist pay in Pearl City, especially as the market adjusts to shifts from Medicare cuts impacting skilled nursing facilities and outpatient therapy roles post-2022.
About the Pearl City Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,323 | $40.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,469 | $48.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,728 | $57.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $139,618 | $67.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $155,980 | $74.99 |
Median Salary Position
15.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pearl City
In Pearl City, HI, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,657 (2026 est.). At $119,728, the local median is 15.79% above the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pearl City: You'd be above the median
How Pearl City Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Pearl City median: $119,728/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pearl City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $123,304 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | +15.79% more |
Occupational Therapists in Pearl City, HI earn a median of $119,728 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.79% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 2.90% below the Hawaii state average of $123,304.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pearl City has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pearl City, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $119,728 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,359 — 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
$98,364
2025 BLS Actual
$116,173
2026 Current Est.
$119,728
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Pearl City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,364 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,904 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,082 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,894 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,588 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,475 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,173 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,728 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,392 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pearl City metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $98,364 (2019) to $116,173 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,392 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,028 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pearl City 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) | $83,323 – $100,469 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,469 – $119,728 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,728 – $139,618 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $139,618 – $155,980 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Pearl City
The job market for occupational therapists in Pearl City is relatively limited, with only eight therapists currently employed in the area. Living in Pearl City comes with a cost of living index of 119.3, higher than the national average, which means that while salaries may appear attractive, the actual purchasing power can be more constrained. Employers that offer the highest pay typically include inpatient rehabilitation facilities and specialized clinics, particularly those focused on hand therapy, which can command significant premiums for therapists certified as Certified Hand Therapists (CHT). The difference in salary can also be attributed to various factors, including the work setting—hospital positions often offer higher compensation compared to school district jobs or skilled nursing facilities. For maximizing earnings in the Pearl City market, seeking opportunities in high-demand areas, pursuing board certifications, and considering positions that offer year-round contracts can be strategic moves for occupational therapists aiming to enhance their compensation.
More salary data for Pearl City, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Pearl City, HI in 2026?
Is Pearl City, HI a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Pearl City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Pearl City?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Pearl City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $116,173 for occupational therapistsin the Pearl City 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 Pearl City 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