Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Honolulu, HI: $85.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Honolulu, HI runs $85.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $178,218 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Honolulu's regional price level (BEA RPP 119.3, 19% above national), each hour of work buys what $71.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $106,933 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physician assistant hourly pay in Honolulu, HI is projected to reach a median rate of $85.68, significantly outpacing the national hourly median of $67.50. This premium reflects the demand and high cost of living in this vibrant city. For part-time professionals, such as those working three days a week, the hourly rate can lead to meaningful earnings, especially when positions are secured in high-activity areas like operating rooms, urgent care clinics, and emergency departments. Entry-level positions can earn around $58.47 per hour, while experienced PAs in specialties such as orthopedics might command rates closer to $121.80 per hour. It's essential to note that these hourly figures are derived from annual salary estimates, providing insight into the financial opportunities available within the field.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58.47 | $467.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72.70 | $581.57 |
| Median (P50) | $85.68 | $685.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105.81 | $846.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121.80 | $974.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Honolulu
Based on $85.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $85.68/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Honolulu, HI can expect to earn approximately $178,221 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $102,820. With a cost-of-living index of 119.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Honolulu.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Honolulu
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,427.33 | $14,852 | $178,221 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,056.40 | $8,911 | $106,933 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,370.93 | $5,941 | $71,288 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Honolulu) | $85.68 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Family Medicine Physician (National Avg) | $116.45 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.18 |
Physician Assistants in Honolulu, HI earn a median of $178,218 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.94% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 6.40% above the Hawaii state average of $167,498.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $85.68/hr = $106,933/year (purchasing power: $89,633).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $178,221/year (purchasing power: $149,389).
CoL index: 119.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$68.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$82.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$85.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $70.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $74.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $76.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $79.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $80.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $82.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Honolulu grew 21.0% from $68.51/hr (2019) to $82.93/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $88.53/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physician assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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.
Working as an Hourly Physician Assistant in Honolulu
Considering the earning potential, a physician assistant working part-time for 24 hours a week, at the median hourly rate, would bring home approximately $66,892 annually, versus a full-time salary that approaches $178,218. The per diem physician assistant pay in Honolulu varies widely depending on the setting; for example, locum PAs may commonly bill between $75 and $130 per hour, while specialists in orthopedic surgery can charge daily rates of $1,200 to $1,800. Hourly pay also fluctuates based on the type of employer, with hospitals offering W-2 positions typically providing lower hourly rates compared to specialized surgical practices and locum agencies which might offer greater flexibility and higher compensation. However, this flexibility often comes with the trade-off of no benefits. When negotiating hourly rates, it's crucial for potential hires to weigh options, considering the value of health insurance and other perks against higher pay rates that might lack these benefits. This nuanced understanding of physician assistant hourly rates in Honolulu can guide informed career decisions during and after PA training.
More salary data for Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Honolulu in 2026?
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Are physician assistants in Honolulu paid hourly or salary?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physician assistants in Honolulu. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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