SLP Salary

Honolulu vs Kailua: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Honolulu, HI and Kailua, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Honolulu, HI
$129,197
$62.11/hr
Kailua, HI
$120,361
$57.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHonolulu, HIKailua, HI
Median Salary$129,197$120,361
Hourly Rate$62.11$57.87
Entry Level (P10)$77,245$79,469
25th Percentile$97,784$96,034
75th Percentile$154,768$139,845
Top Earner (P90)$179,653$160,499
Total Employed686
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Honolulu ($129,197) and Kailua ($120,361) speech-language pathologist salaries.HonoluluKailuaMedian Salary$129,197$120,361Entry Level (P10)$77,245$79,469Top Earner (P90)$179,653$160,499US Median $101,775

Verdict

Honolulu, HI offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kailua.

The salary gap between Honolulu and Kailua is $8,836 (7.34%). Honolulu's median is +26.94% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Honolulu spans $102,408,Kailua spans $81,030. Honolulu has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$77,245
P25$97,784
Median$129,197
P75$154,768
P90 (Top)$179,653
Kailua
P10 (Entry)$79,469
P25$96,034
Median$120,361
P75$139,845
P90 (Top)$160,499

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Honolulu ($108,296 effective) pays 7.34% more than Kailua ($100,889 effective).

Honolulu
Nominal: $129,197
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $108,296
Kailua
Nominal: $120,361
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $100,889

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Honolulu if…

  • Higher median salary ($129,197/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($179,653)
  • Larger job market (68 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,296)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Kailua if…

  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Honolulu grew 1.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 1.9% growth in Kailua over the same period.

Honolulu, HI

+1.9%

$121,866 (2024) → $124,240 (2025)

Kailua, HI

+1.9%

$113,532 (2024) → $115,743 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Honolulu or Kailua?

Honolulu has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $129,197/year, compared to Kailua at $120,361/year — a difference of $8,836 (7.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Honolulu and Kailua?

Honolulu speech-language pathologists earn $62.11/hr while Kailua hygienists earn $57.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Honolulu to Kailua as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Honolulu and Kailua. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Honolulu = $108,296, Kailua = $100,889), job availability (68 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Honolulu vs Kailua?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $77,245 in Honolulu and $79,469 in Kailua. The Kailua area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, CCC-SLP

Career Analyst

Jordan has over 8 years of experience in speech-language pathology. He specializes in pediatric language disorders. He works in a community health clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Fatima Ali, CCC-SLPData verified by Miguel Torres, CCC-SLP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.99% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CCC-SLP, a licensed speech-language pathologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov