Vet Tech salary

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

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

Kahului, HI
$57,972
$27.87/hr
Urban Honolulu, HI
$50,714
$24.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKahului, HIUrban Honolulu, HI
Median Salary$57,972$50,714
Hourly Rate$27.87$24.38
Entry Level (P10)$49,089$37,959
25th Percentile$49,152$40,006
75th Percentile$60,314$55,620
Top Earner (P90)$70,980$66,338
Total Employed30190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kahului ($57,972) and Urban Honolulu ($50,714) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.KahuluiUrban HonoluluMedian Salary$57,972$50,714Entry Level (P10)$49,089$37,959Top Earner (P90)$70,980$66,338US Median $49,986

Verdict

Kahului, HI offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Urban Honolulu.

The salary gap between Kahului and Urban Honolulu is $7,258 (14.31%). Kahului's median is +15.98% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kahului spans $21,891,Urban Honolulu spans $28,379. Urban Honolulu has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Kahului
P10 (Entry)$49,089
P25$49,152
Median$57,972
P75$60,314
P90 (Top)$70,980
Urban Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$37,959
P25$40,006
Median$50,714
P75$55,620
P90 (Top)$66,338

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kahului ($52,994 effective) pays 15.95% more than Urban Honolulu ($45,704 effective).

Kahului
Nominal: $57,972
CoL Index: 109.393
Adjusted: $52,994
Urban Honolulu
Nominal: $50,714
CoL Index: 110.961
Adjusted: $45,704

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kahului if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,972/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($70,980)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,994)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Urban Honolulu if…

  • Larger job market (190 employed)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Kahului grew 47.6% from 2022 to 2025, compared to 29.0% growth in Urban Honolulu over the same period.

Kahului, HI

+47.6%

$37,230 (2022) → $54,950 (2025)

Urban Honolulu, HI

+29.0%

$37,270 (2019) → $48,070 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Kahului has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $57,972/year, compared to Urban Honolulu at $50,714/year — a difference of $7,258 (14.31%).

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

Kahului veterinary technologist and technicians earn $27.87/hr while Urban Honolulu hygienists earn $24.38/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kahului and Urban Honolulu. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kahului = $52,994, Urban Honolulu = $45,704), job availability (30 vs 190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $49,089 in Kahului and $37,959 in Urban Honolulu. 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