Physical Therapist Salary in Hawaii: $107,463 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Hawaii's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $107,463/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Hawaii sits at BEA RPP 119.3 (19% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $90,078 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Honolulu ($130,448), Kaneohe ($121,821), Mililani Town ($121,603).
In 2026, physical therapists in Hawaii are projected to earn an average median salary of $107,463, which is 2.1% higher than the national median of $105,288. The highest-paying city is Honolulu, where salaries are expected to reach $133,657, while Kahului offers the lowest at $104,151. This significant salary gap of $29,506 is driven by factors such as the cost of living, demand for services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas. Hawaii's specific factors contributing to the profession's landscape include state licensing requirements, which necessitate a doctoral degree and passing the National Physical Therapy Examination. Additionally, scope of practice laws allow therapists to treat patients without needing a physician’s referral, thereby influencing practices and patient access to care. The job market for physical therapists in Hawaii is expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.46%, reflecting ongoing demand due to an aging population and increased awareness of physical therapy's benefits. With a total of 910 employed physical therapists across 10 metro areas, opportunities continue to expand, particularly in Honolulu and surrounding cities like Kaneohe and Mililani Town, where salaries range from $124,594 to $124,818. These factors position Hawaii as a viable state for pursuing a career in physical therapy.
Hawaii Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Hawaii: $80,564 (lowest entry-level) to $178,039 (highest top earner)
Hawaii vs National Average
Hawaii physical therapists earn 2.07% more than the national median (+$2,175/year difference).
Hawaii Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Hawaii range from $83,265 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $132,673 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $107,463. The Hawaii median is $2,175 above the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $51.67/hr. Approximately 910 physical therapists are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$88,103
2025 BLS Actual
$104,883
2026 Current Est.
$107,463
2019–2027 Growth
+25.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Hawaii (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,103 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,881 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,891 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,149 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,041 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,841 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,883 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,463 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,107 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hawaii metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 19.0% from $88,103 (2019) to $104,883 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,107 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,004 (24.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hawaii 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 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Hawaii
Lowest Paying Cities in Hawaii
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Kahului | $104,151 |
| Urban Honolulu | $104,202 |
| Hilo | $119,194 |
| Pearl City | $121,914 |
| Waipahu | $123,083 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Hawaii
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Hawaii cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $133,657 | 119.3 | $112,034 |
| Kaneohe | $124,818 | 119.3 | $104,625 |
| Mililani Town | $124,594 | 119.3 | $104,438 |
| Kailua | $124,517 | 119.3 | $104,373 |
| East Honolulu | $123,132 | 119.3 | $103,212 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Hawaii
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $83,265 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $107,463 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $132,673 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Hawaii metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Hawaii
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honolulu | $133,657 |
| 2 | Kaneohe | $124,818 |
| 3 | Mililani Town | $124,594 |
| 4 | Kailua | $124,517 |
| 5 | East Honolulu | $123,132 |
| 6 | Waipahu | $123,083 |
| 7 | Pearl City | $121,914 |
| 8 | Hilo | $119,194 |
| 9 | Urban Honolulu | $104,202 |
| 10 | Kahului | $104,151 |
More Hawaii Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist hourly pay in Hawaii cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Hawaii in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Hawaii?
How does Hawaii physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Hawaii?
How many physical therapists are employed in Hawaii?
Which Hawaii city offers the best value for physical therapists?
Written by Alex Morgan, DPT
Career Analyst
Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist compensation across Hawaii. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov