Veterinarian Salary

Kahului vs Kailua: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

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

Kahului, HI
$154,740
$74.40/hr
Kailua, HI
$162,414
$78.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKahului, HIKailua, HI
Median Salary$154,740$162,414
Hourly Rate$74.40$78.08
Entry Level (P10)$104,167$94,759
25th Percentile$116,084$127,219
75th Percentile$159,649$205,696
Top Earner (P90)$167,872$251,741
Total Employed406
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kahului ($154,740) and Kailua ($162,414) veterinarian salaries.KahuluiKailuaMedian Salary$154,740$162,414Entry Level (P10)$104,167$94,759Top Earner (P90)$167,872$251,741US Median $137,334

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Kahului and Kailua is $7,674 (4.96%). Kailua's median is +18.26% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kahului spans $63,705,Kailua spans $156,982. Kailua has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Kahului
P10 (Entry)$104,167
P25$116,084
Median$154,740
P75$159,649
P90 (Top)$167,872
Kailua
P10 (Entry)$94,759
P25$127,219
Median$162,414
P75$205,696
P90 (Top)$251,741

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kahului ($141,453 effective) pays 3.90% more than Kailua ($136,139 effective).

Kahului
Nominal: $154,740
CoL Index: 109.393
Adjusted: $141,453
Kailua
Nominal: $162,414
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $136,139

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

Choose Kailua if…

  • Higher median salary ($162,414/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($251,741)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Kahului grew 133.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.4% growth in Kailua over the same period.

Kahului, HI

+133.3%

$62,840 (2019) → $146,590 (2025)

Kailua, HI

+-1.4%

$156,106 (2024) → $153,859 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Kahului or Kailua?

Kailua has a higher median veterinarian salary at $162,414/year, compared to Kahului at $154,740/year — a difference of $7,674 (4.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kahului and Kailua?

Kahului veterinarians earn $74.40/hr while Kailua hygienists earn $78.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kahului to Kailua as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kahului and Kailua. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kahului = $141,453, Kailua = $136,139), job availability (40 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Kahului vs Kailua?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $104,167 in Kahului and $94,759 in Kailua. 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