Dental Assistant Pay

Honolulu vs Mililani Town: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Honolulu, HI and Mililani Town, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Honolulu, HI
$62,938
$30.26/hr
Mililani Town, HI
$58,671
$28.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHonolulu, HIMililani Town, HI
Median Salary$62,938$58,671
Hourly Rate$30.26$28.21
Entry Level (P10)$45,405$46,709
25th Percentile$55,509$54,494
75th Percentile$77,834$69,200
Top Earner (P90)$82,508$71,956
Total Employed685
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Honolulu ($62,938) and Mililani Town ($58,671) dental assistant salaries.HonoluluMililani TownMedian Salary$62,938$58,671Entry Level (P10)$45,405$46,709Top Earner (P90)$82,508$71,956US Median $49,579

Verdict

Honolulu, HI offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Mililani Town.

The salary gap between Honolulu and Mililani Town is $4,267 (7.27%). Honolulu's median is +26.94% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Honolulu spans $37,103,Mililani Town spans $25,247. Honolulu has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$45,405
P25$55,509
Median$62,938
P75$77,834
P90 (Top)$82,508
Mililani Town
P10 (Entry)$46,709
P25$54,494
Median$58,671
P75$69,200
P90 (Top)$71,956

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Honolulu ($52,756 effective) pays 7.27% more than Mililani Town ($49,179 effective).

Honolulu
Nominal: $62,938
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $52,756
Mililani Town
Nominal: $58,671
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $49,179

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 ($62,938/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,508)
  • Larger job market (68 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,756)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Mililani Town if…

  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Honolulu grew -3.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -3.9% growth in Mililani Town over the same period.

Honolulu, HI

+-3.9%

$63,472 (2024) → $61,022 (2025)

Mililani Town, HI

+-3.9%

$59,168 (2024) → $56,885 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Honolulu or Mililani Town?

Honolulu has a higher median dental assistant salary at $62,938/year, compared to Mililani Town at $58,671/year — a difference of $4,267 (7.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Honolulu and Mililani Town?

Honolulu dental assistants earn $30.26/hr while Mililani Town hygienists earn $28.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Honolulu to Mililani Town as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Honolulu and Mililani Town. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Honolulu = $52,756, Mililani Town = $49,179), job availability (68 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Honolulu vs Mililani Town?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $45,405 in Honolulu and $46,709 in Mililani Town. The Mililani Town area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH

Career Analyst

Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.14% 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 Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov