Occupational Therapist Salary in Urban Honolulu, HI: $106,018 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Urban Honolulu, HI earns a median $106,018/year (≈ $50.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Urban Honolulu's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.0), that paycheck buys what $95,545 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.1% below the Hawaii state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapists in Urban Honolulu can expect a median annual salary of $106,018, which reflects a modest increase compared to national figures. The salary range for this occupation varies widely, with the lower end starting at $80,346 and reaching up to $121,858 at the higher end. These projections, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, suggest that factors such as workplace settings—hospitals, schools, or skilled nursing facilities—will significantly influence potential earnings. Moreover, professionals should consider the trade-offs between year-round positions typically found in healthcare settings versus school-year contracts that may offer different salary scales and benefits. Ultimately, Urban Honolulu's unique job market demands not only a keen awareness of these salary dynamics but also an understanding of how various settings can impact earnings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,346 | $38.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,292 | $41.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,018 | $50.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,747 | $55.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,858 | $58.59 |
Median Salary Position
2.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urban Honolulu
In Urban Honolulu, HI, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,512 (2026 est.). At $106,018, the local median is 2.53% above the national median of $103,400.
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How Urban Honolulu Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Urban Honolulu median: $106,018/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urban Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $123,420 | -14.10% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | +2.53% more |
Occupational Therapists in Urban Honolulu, HI earn a median of $106,018 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.53% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 14.10% below the Hawaii state average of $123,420.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urban Honolulu has a cost of living 10.96% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Urban Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 110.961 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $106,018 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $95,545 — a 9.88% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,330
2025 BLS Actual
$102,870
2026 Current Est.
$106,018
2019–2027 Growth
+21.0%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Urban Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,870 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,018 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,262 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urban Honolulu metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 13.9% from $90,330 (2019) to $102,870 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,262 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,932 (20.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urban 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) | $80,346 – $86,292 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,292 – $106,018 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,018 – $115,747 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,747 – $121,858 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Urban Honolulu
The job market for occupational therapists in Urban Honolulu boasts about 320 professionals currently employed, suggesting a stable demand for services in this picturesque area. However, the cost of living poses a significant challenge, with a cost-of-living index of 110.961 indicating that take-home pay may not stretch as far as in other regions. Those interested in maximizing their occupational therapist pay in Urban Honolulu, HI, should target high-paying employers, such as skilled nursing facilities or hospital inpatient rehabilitation units, which typically offer superior salary packages compared to school districts or outpatient settings. Factors contributing to salary variation include specific certifications like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) designation, which commands higher premiums, as well as the inherent productivity expectations tied to different employment settings. Keeping abreast of Medicare policy impacts on skilled nursing facilities and outpatient therapy can also aid therapists in strategic salary negotiations.
More salary data for Urban Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Urban Honolulu, HI in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Urban Honolulu?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Urban Honolulu?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Urban 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 $102,870 for occupational therapistsin the Urban 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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