Physician Assistant Salary in Waipahu, HI: $164,120 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Waipahu, HI earns a median $164,120/year (≈ $78.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Waipahu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $137,569 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waipahu, HI, physician assistants can expect a median annual salary of $164,120 in 2026, reflecting a competitive compensation level compared to the national average. The local salary range is quite broad, spanning from $120,357 at the 10th percentile to $230,433 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, highlight the potential for lucrative earnings, particularly in surgical specialties that utilize first-assist billing models. This structure enhances the earning potential significantly for PAs working in surgical settings, making Waipahu an attractive market for those entering the field.
About the Waipahu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $120,357 | $57.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $144,234 | $69.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $164,120 | $78.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $190,651 | $91.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $230,433 | $110.79 |
Median Salary Position
16.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waipahu
In Waipahu, HI, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,076 (2026 est.). At $164,120, the local median is 16.9% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waipahu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waipahu Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Waipahu median: $164,120/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waipahu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $167,469 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | +16.90% more |
Physician Assistants in Waipahu, HI earn a median of $164,120 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.90% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 2.00% below the Hawaii state average of $167,469.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waipahu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waipahu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $164,120 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $137,569 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$131,234
2025 BLS Actual
$158,846
2026 Current Est.
$164,120
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Waipahu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $131,234 | Actual |
| 2020 | $134,893 | Actual |
| 2021 | $142,071 | Actual |
| 2022 | $147,308 | Actual |
| 2023 | $151,996 | Actual |
| 2024 | $154,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $158,846 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $164,120 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $169,568 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waipahu metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $131,234 (2019) to $158,846 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $169,568 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,334 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waipahu 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) | $120,357 – $144,234 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $144,234 – $164,120 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $164,120 – $190,651 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $190,651 – $230,433 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Waipahu
Currently, there are nine physician assistants employed in Waipahu, underscoring a niche job market influenced by the local demand for healthcare professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 119.3, the purchasing power for PAs becomes an essential consideration when evaluating potential earnings. Employers like hospital systems and surgical specialty practices tend to offer the most competitive salaries, driven by the complexity of the services rendered and case volume. Factors such as first-assist case load, call coverage, and productivity bonuses contribute to the earnings disparity among positions. For those contemplating a career here, specializing in high-demand areas and actively seeking opportunities in surgical settings can greatly enhance overall compensation, emphasizing the importance of aligning skills with market demand in Waipahu.
More salary data for Waipahu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physician assistants make $100K in Waipahu?
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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
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 $158,846 for physician assistantsin the Waipahu 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 Waipahu 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