Dental Assistant Salary in Kailua, HI: $58,634 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Kailua, HI earns a median $58,634/year (≈ $28.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Kailua's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $49,148 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kailua, Hawaii, dental assistants are positioned favorably in the job market, with a 2026 median annual salary projected at $58,634, which is significantly above the national median of $49,579. The salary range for dental assistants in the area spans from $46,555 at the 10th percentile to $73,875 at the 90th percentile, reflecting potential variations in experience and skill levels, especially in contexts governed by expanded functions. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, highlight how dental assistants in Kailua, especially those with advanced credentials like EFDA, can command higher wages relative to their peers elsewhere. This increasingly competitive pay structure can be attributed to the rising demand for skilled dental support staff and the presence of various dental practices employing such specialists.
About the Kailua Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,555 | $22.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,415 | $26.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,634 | $28.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,310 | $33.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,875 | $35.52 |
Median Salary Position
18.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kailua
In Kailua, HI, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,320 (2026 est.). At $58,634, the local median is 18.26% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kailua: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kailua Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Kailua median: $58,634/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kailua Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $59,167 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +18.26% more |
Dental Assistants in Kailua, HI earn a median of $58,634 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.26% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 0.90% below the Hawaii state average of $59,167.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kailua has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kailua, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $58,634 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,148 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,400
2025 BLS Actual
$56,849
2026 Current Est.
$58,634
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Kailua (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,701 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,720 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,005 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,131 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,849 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,634 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,475 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kailua metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $47,400 (2019) to $56,849 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,475 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,075 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kailua 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) | $46,555 – $54,415 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,415 – $58,634 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,634 – $70,310 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,310 – $73,875 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Kailua
Analyzing the local job market, Kailua currently employs a modest number of six dental assistants, which creates a tight-knit community of professionals experiencing varying levels of job security and opportunity. The cost of living index in Kailua stands at 119.3, indicating that while salaries are higher, the purchasing power may be somewhat tempered by the higher expenses associated with living in this region. Among local employers, those working in specialty practices, such as orthodontics or oral surgery, tend to offer the most competitive salaries, often surpassing general dental practices. The pay disparity between low and high earners can often be driven by specialty demands and additional roles, such as treatment coordinators or mentor positions. To maximize earnings in this market, dental assistants should consider pursuing further certifications, such as DANB credentials, and exploring opportunities within DSO chains, which offer growth and structured pay scales.
More salary data for Kailua, 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 $56,849 for dental assistantsin the Kailua 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
Salary data for Kailua is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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