Vet Tech salary

Honolulu vs Kahului: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Honolulu, HI and Kahului, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Honolulu, HI
$63,453
$30.51/hr
Kahului, HI
$57,972
$27.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHonolulu, HIKahului, HI
Median Salary$63,453$57,972
Hourly Rate$30.51$27.87
Entry Level (P10)$44,645$49,089
25th Percentile$49,698$49,152
75th Percentile$79,011$60,314
Top Earner (P90)$85,747$70,980
Total Employed6830
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Honolulu ($63,453) and Kahului ($57,972) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.HonoluluKahuluiMedian Salary$63,453$57,972Entry Level (P10)$44,645$49,089Top Earner (P90)$85,747$70,980US Median $49,986

Verdict

Honolulu, HI offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kahului.

The salary gap between Honolulu and Kahului is $5,481 (9.45%). Honolulu's median is +26.94% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Honolulu spans $41,102,Kahului spans $21,891. Honolulu has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$44,645
P25$49,698
Median$63,453
P75$79,011
P90 (Top)$85,747
Kahului
P10 (Entry)$49,089
P25$49,152
Median$57,972
P75$60,314
P90 (Top)$70,980

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Honolulu ($53,188 effective) pays 0.37% more than Kahului ($52,994 effective).

Honolulu
Nominal: $63,453
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $53,188
Kahului
Nominal: $57,972
CoL Index: 109.393
Adjusted: $52,994

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Honolulu if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,453/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($85,747)
  • Larger job market (68 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,188)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Kahului if…

  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Honolulu grew 3.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 47.6% growth in Kahului over the same period.

Honolulu, HI

+3.0%

$58,394 (2024) → $60,145 (2025)

Kahului, HI

+47.6%

$37,230 (2022) → $54,950 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Honolulu or Kahului?

Honolulu has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $63,453/year, compared to Kahului at $57,972/year — a difference of $5,481 (9.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Honolulu and Kahului?

Honolulu veterinary technologist and technicians earn $30.51/hr while Kahului hygienists earn $27.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Honolulu to Kahului as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Honolulu and Kahului. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Honolulu = $53,188, Kahului = $52,994), job availability (68 vs 30 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Honolulu vs Kahului?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $44,645 in Honolulu and $49,089 in Kahului. The Kahului area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, CVT

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in veterinary technology. They specialize in emergency care. Jordan has worked in both clinic and hospital settings.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Patel, RVTData verified by Mark Chen, LVT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.50% 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 Jordan Lee, CVT, a licensed veterinary technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov