Dental Assistant Pay

Kahului vs Mililani Town: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Kahului, HI
$47,774
$22.97/hr
Mililani Town, HI
$58,671
$28.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKahului, HIMililani Town, HI
Median Salary$47,774$58,671
Hourly Rate$22.97$28.21
Entry Level (P10)$36,842$46,709
25th Percentile$42,762$54,494
75th Percentile$56,459$69,200
Top Earner (P90)$57,274$71,956
Total Employed2205
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kahului ($47,774) and Mililani Town ($58,671) dental assistant salaries.KahuluiMililani TownMedian Salary$47,774$58,671Entry Level (P10)$36,842$46,709Top Earner (P90)$57,274$71,956US Median $49,579

Verdict

Mililani Town, HI offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kahului.

The salary gap between Kahului and Mililani Town is $10,897 (22.81%). Mililani Town's median is +18.34% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kahului spans $20,432,Mililani Town spans $25,247. Mililani Town has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Kahului
P10 (Entry)$36,842
P25$42,762
Median$47,774
P75$56,459
P90 (Top)$57,274
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, Mililani Town ($49,179 effective) pays 12.61% more than Kahului ($43,672 effective).

Kahului
Nominal: $47,774
CoL Index: 109.393
Adjusted: $43,672
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 Kahului if…

  • Larger job market (220 employed)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Mililani Town if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,671/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($71,956)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,179)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Kahului grew 19.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -3.9% growth in Mililani Town over the same period.

Kahului, HI

+19.4%

$38,800 (2019) → $46,320 (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: Kahului or Mililani Town?

Mililani Town has a higher median dental assistant salary at $58,671/year, compared to Kahului at $47,774/year — a difference of $10,897 (22.81%).

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

Kahului dental assistants earn $22.97/hr while Mililani Town hygienists earn $28.21/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kahului and Mililani Town. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kahului = $43,672, Mililani Town = $49,179), job availability (220 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $36,842 in Kahului 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