Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Honolulu, HI: $121,607 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Honolulu, HI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $121,607 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Honolulu's local price level (BEA RPP 119.3 — 19% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $101,934 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($178,218) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the field, the starting physician assistant salary in Honolulu, HI, in 2026 is projected to be around $121,607. This initial figure is notably lower than the city's median salary of $178,218, reflecting a common gap between newly licensed professionals and those with more experience. Over the first few years, early-career PAs can expect salaries to grow as they gain experience, with projections showing a rise to approximately $151,207 at the 25th percentile. Considering that the local job market is robust for health professionals, Honolulu represents a favorable environment for new graduates, making it an appealing location to start a career in healthcare.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Honolulu
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Honolulu
Entry-level physician assistants in Honolulu, HI typically start between $121,607 and $151,207 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $131,741 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $178,218 — 26.94% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Hawaii of $90,000 represents just 74.01% of the starting physician assistant pay ($121,607/year) in Honolulu. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ARC-PA accredited master's-level PA programs. Most PA programs run 27-30 months and include didactic and clinical rotation phases. Public in-state programs are the most affordable option; private programs in high-cost metros can approach $150k. Totals reflect tuition and program fees only; PANCE certification exam fees are separate.
PA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Honolulu
- 1Research the Honolulu market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $121,607 to $151,207, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physician assistant field — employers in HI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Honolulu, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Honolulu for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Honolulu's above-average cost of living (index: 119.3) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Physician Assistant Compensation Range
The physician assistant wage spread in Honolulu is $131,741 ( 108.33%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $121,607, experienced hygienists can earn up to $253,348.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$86,125
2025 BLS Actual
$117,699
2026 Current Est.
$121,607
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,125 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,838 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,307 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,271 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,184 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,675 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,699 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,607 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,644 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Honolulu, HI grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $86,125 in 2019 to $117,699 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $125,644. New graduates entering the Honolulu job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
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 3.32% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physician assistant Career in Honolulu
In Honolulu, various employers actively recruit entry-level physician assistants, particularly in primary care and urgent care settings. These roles typically offer strong onboarding programs that facilitate the transition into practice. Additionally, hospitals and specialty practices, such as surgical subspecialties, often prefer PAs with residency or fellowship experience. For graduates looking to boost their starting pay, holding a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, a national certification from NCCPA (PA-C), and a state PA license can set them apart. As PAs often work under the collaboration of supervising physicians, those who consider the Optimal Team Practice model could see enhanced career growth. Realistic annual salary growth expectations for new grads in their first three years can be significant, especially for those who pursue areas like orthopedics or cardiothoracic surgery, as these specialties tend to command the highest compensation due to billing practices for first assists.
More salary data for Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physician assistants in Honolulu in 2026?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physician assistant graduates. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Honolulu. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
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