Veterinarian Salary

East Honolulu vs Kahului: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between East Honolulu, HI and Kahului, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

East Honolulu, HI
$160,608
$77.22/hr
Kahului, HI
$154,740
$74.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEast Honolulu, HIKahului, HI
Median Salary$160,608$154,740
Hourly Rate$77.22$74.40
Entry Level (P10)$93,152$104,167
25th Percentile$123,581$116,084
75th Percentile$197,732$159,649
Top Earner (P90)$248,943$167,872
Total Employed1240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing East Honolulu ($160,608) and Kahului ($154,740) veterinarian salaries.East HonoluluKahuluiMedian Salary$160,608$154,740Entry Level (P10)$93,152$104,167Top Earner (P90)$248,943$167,872US Median $137,334

Verdict

East Honolulu, HI offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kahului.

The salary gap between East Honolulu and Kahului is $5,868 (3.79%). East Honolulu's median is +16.95% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in East Honolulu spans $155,791,Kahului spans $63,705. East Honolulu has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

East Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$93,152
P25$123,581
Median$160,608
P75$197,732
P90 (Top)$248,943
Kahului
P10 (Entry)$104,167
P25$116,084
Median$154,740
P75$159,649
P90 (Top)$167,872

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kahului ($141,453 effective) pays 5.07% more than East Honolulu ($134,625 effective).

East Honolulu
Nominal: $160,608
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $134,625
Kahului
Nominal: $154,740
CoL Index: 109.393
Adjusted: $141,453

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose East Honolulu if…

  • Higher median salary ($160,608/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($248,943)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Kahului if…

  • Larger job market (40 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $141,453)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in East Honolulu grew -1.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 133.3% growth in Kahului over the same period.

East Honolulu, HI

+-1.4%

$154,371 (2024) → $152,149 (2025)

Kahului, HI

+133.3%

$62,840 (2019) → $146,590 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: East Honolulu or Kahului?

East Honolulu has a higher median veterinarian salary at $160,608/year, compared to Kahului at $154,740/year — a difference of $5,868 (3.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between East Honolulu and Kahului?

East Honolulu veterinarians earn $77.22/hr while Kahului hygienists earn $74.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from East Honolulu to Kahului as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing East Honolulu and Kahului. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: East Honolulu = $134,625, Kahului = $141,453), job availability (12 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in East Honolulu vs Kahului?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $93,152 in East Honolulu and $104,167 in Kahului. The Kahului area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM

Career Analyst

Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Samuel Patel, DVMData verified by Dr. Maria Gomez, DVM

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.56% 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 Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov