Dental Assistant Salary in Kahului, HI: $47,774 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Kahului, HI earns a median $47,774/year (≈ $22.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Kahului's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.4), that paycheck buys what $43,672 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.2% below the Hawaii state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Kahului, Hawaii can expect to earn a median annual salary of $47,774. This figure reflects a salary range from $36,842 at the 10th percentile to $57,274 at the 90th percentile, showcasing opportunities for both entry-level positions and experienced professionals looking to specialize in oral surgery or orthodontics. The data, derived from BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the competitive nature of the local job market, which has a noted emphasis on specialized training and credentials. This premium for specialization significantly affects earning potential, making Kahului an attractive base for dental assistants aiming for growth in their careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,842 | $17.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,762 | $20.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,774 | $22.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,459 | $27.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,274 | $27.54 |
Median Salary Position
3.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kahului
In Kahului, HI, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,432 (2026 est.). At $47,774, the local median is 3.64% below the national median of $49,579.
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At 40 hours/week in Kahului: You'd be above the median
How Kahului Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Kahului median: $47,774/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kahului Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $59,127 | -19.20% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -3.64% less |
Dental Assistants in Kahului, HI earn a median of $47,774 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.64% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 19.20% below the Hawaii state average of $59,127.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kahului has a cost of living 9.39% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kahului, HI has a cost-of-living index of 109.393 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,774 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $43,672 — a 8.59% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,800
2025 BLS Actual
$46,320
2026 Current Est.
$47,774
2019–2027 Growth
+27.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Kahului (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,774 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,275 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kahului metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.4% from $38,800 (2019) to $46,320 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,275 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,475 (27.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kahului 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 3.14% 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) | $36,842 – $42,762 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,762 – $47,774 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,774 – $56,459 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,459 – $57,274 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Kahului
Kahului's dental assistant job market employs around 220 individuals, presenting a robust environment for those entering the field. However, the cost of living index of 109.393 indicates that local salaries may stretch less far than in some other regions. Despite this, several employers stand out for higher pay scales, including pediatric dental and oral surgery practices, which typically offer more competitive compensation compared to general dentistry settings. Factors influencing the salary range include the presence of expanded function dental auxiliaries (EFDAs), particularly where the state allows, and hybrid roles that combine treatment coordination with traditional assistant duties. To maximize earnings in Kahului, dental assistants should consider obtaining additional certifications and pursuing positions within specialty practices or DSO chains, which often have structured pay scales and offer advancement paths to roles like registered dental hygienist (RDH).
More salary data for Kahului, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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 $46,320 for dental assistantsin the Kahului metropolitan area. A 3.14% 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
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 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov