Physician Assistant Salary in Honolulu, HI: $178,218 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Honolulu, HI earns a median $178,218/year (≈ $85.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Honolulu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $149,386 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in Honolulu, Hawaii, can expect a median annual salary of $178,218, which is notably higher than the national median of $140,391. The salary distribution ranges from $121,607 at the 10th percentile to $253,348 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity in both specialty and experience levels among practitioners. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected for 2026, indicate that surgical specialties tend to offer higher compensation compared to primary care roles. With a growing demand for healthcare workers in the region, PAs in Honolulu are well-positioned within a competitive job market that recognizes the unique financial requirements of living in a city with a higher cost-of-living index.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $121,607 | $58.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $151,207 | $72.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $178,218 | $85.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $220,095 | $105.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $253,348 | $121.80 |
Median Salary Position
26.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Honolulu
In Honolulu, HI, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $131,741 (2026 est.). At $178,218, the local median is 26.94% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Honolulu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Honolulu Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Honolulu median: $178,218/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $167,498 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | +26.94% more |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Honolulu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $178,218 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $149,386 — 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
$142,507
2025 BLS Actual
$172,491
2026 Current Est.
$178,218
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
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 | $142,507 | Actual |
| 2020 | $146,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $154,275 | Actual |
| 2022 | $159,962 | Actual |
| 2023 | $165,052 | Actual |
| 2024 | $167,565 | Actual |
| 2025 | $172,491 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $178,218 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $184,135 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Honolulu metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $142,507 (2019) to $172,491 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $184,135 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,628 (29.21%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $121,607 – $151,207 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $151,207 – $178,218 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $178,218 – $220,095 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $220,095 – $253,348 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Honolulu
The job market for physician assistants in Honolulu is robust, with about 68 practitioners currently employed. However, the cost of living in the area, marked by a CoL index of 119.3, means that take-home salaries may not stretch as far as they would in less expensive regions. Surgical specialty practices, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic, generally offer the most lucrative positions, with competitive pay driving the disparity based on complications such as first-assist case volume and RVU productivity bonuses. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Honolulu, focusing on specialties that command higher reimbursement rates and considering roles within hospital systems rather than private practice can be advantageous. Understanding how to navigate call coverage and productivity expectations will also play a key role in enhancing overall compensation in this vibrant healthcare market.
More salary data for Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Honolulu, HI in 2026?
Is Honolulu, HI a good place to work as a physician assistant?
Can physician assistants make $100K in Honolulu?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Honolulu?
How much does a physician assistant make per hour in Honolulu?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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
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 $172,491 for physician assistantsin the Honolulu metropolitan area. A 3.32% 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 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