PA Salary

East Honolulu vs Honolulu: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between East Honolulu, HI and Honolulu, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

East Honolulu, HI
$164,185
$78.94/hr
Honolulu, HI
$178,218
$85.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEast Honolulu, HIHonolulu, HI
Median Salary$164,185$178,218
Hourly Rate$78.94$85.68
Entry Level (P10)$119,820$121,607
25th Percentile$144,371$151,207
75th Percentile$190,805$220,095
Top Earner (P90)$230,651$253,348
Total Employed1268
Side-by-side bar chart comparing East Honolulu ($164,185) and Honolulu ($178,218) physician assistant salaries.East HonoluluHonoluluMedian Salary$164,185$178,218Entry Level (P10)$119,820$121,607Top Earner (P90)$230,651$253,348US Median $140,391

Verdict

Honolulu, HI offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to East Honolulu.

The salary gap between East Honolulu and Honolulu is $14,033 (8.55%). Honolulu's median is +26.94% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in East Honolulu spans $110,831,Honolulu spans $131,741. Honolulu has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physician assistants.

East Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$119,820
P25$144,371
Median$164,185
P75$190,805
P90 (Top)$230,651
Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$121,607
P25$151,207
Median$178,218
P75$220,095
P90 (Top)$253,348

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Honolulu ($149,386 effective) pays 8.55% more than East Honolulu ($137,624 effective).

East Honolulu
Nominal: $164,185
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $137,624
Honolulu
Nominal: $178,218
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $149,386

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose East Honolulu if…

  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Honolulu if…

  • Higher median salary ($178,218/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($253,348)
  • Larger job market (68 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $149,386)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in East Honolulu grew 2.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 2.9% growth in Honolulu over the same period.

East Honolulu, HI

+2.9%

$154,371 (2024) → $158,909 (2025)

Honolulu, HI

+2.9%

$167,565 (2024) → $172,491 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: East Honolulu or Honolulu?

Honolulu has a higher median physician assistant salary at $178,218/year, compared to East Honolulu at $164,185/year — a difference of $14,033 (8.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between East Honolulu and Honolulu?

East Honolulu physician assistants earn $78.94/hr while Honolulu hygienists earn $85.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from East Honolulu to Honolulu as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing East Honolulu and Honolulu. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: East Honolulu = $137,624, Honolulu = $149,386), job availability (12 vs 68 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in East Honolulu vs Honolulu?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $119,820 in East Honolulu and $121,607 in Honolulu. The Honolulu area offers higher starting salaries.
JT

Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C

Career Analyst

Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Chen, PA-CData verified by Amina Patel, MSPAS, PA-C

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.32% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov