SLP Salary

East Honolulu vs Hilo: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)

Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between East Honolulu, HI and Hilo, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

East Honolulu, HI
$119,024
$57.23/hr
Hilo, HI
$115,217
$55.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEast Honolulu, HIHilo, HI
Median Salary$119,024$115,217
Hourly Rate$57.23$55.40
Entry Level (P10)$75,979$77,396
25th Percentile$93,319$92,816
75th Percentile$134,083$134,859
Top Earner (P90)$163,796$155,123
Total Employed127
Side-by-side bar chart comparing East Honolulu ($119,024) and Hilo ($115,217) speech-language pathologist salaries.East HonoluluHiloMedian Salary$119,024$115,217Entry Level (P10)$75,979$77,396Top Earner (P90)$163,796$155,123US Median $101,775

Verdict

East Honolulu, HI offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hilo.

The salary gap between East Honolulu and Hilo is $3,807 (3.30%). East Honolulu's median is +16.95% compared to the US national median of $101,775.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in East Honolulu spans $87,817,Hilo spans $77,727. East Honolulu has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

East Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$75,979
P25$93,319
Median$119,024
P75$134,083
P90 (Top)$163,796
Hilo
P10 (Entry)$77,396
P25$92,816
Median$115,217
P75$134,859
P90 (Top)$155,123

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, East Honolulu ($99,769 effective) pays 3.30% more than Hilo ($96,578 effective).

East Honolulu
Nominal: $119,024
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $99,769
Hilo
Nominal: $115,217
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $96,578

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 ($119,024/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($163,796)
  • Larger job market (12 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $99,769)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Hilo if…

  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in East Honolulu grew 1.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 1.9% growth in Hilo over the same period.

East Honolulu, HI

+1.9%

$112,270 (2024) → $114,457 (2025)

Hilo, HI

+1.9%

$108,679 (2024) → $110,796 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: East Honolulu or Hilo?

East Honolulu has a higher median speech-language pathologist salary at $119,024/year, compared to Hilo at $115,217/year — a difference of $3,807 (3.30%).

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

East Honolulu speech-language pathologists earn $57.23/hr while Hilo hygienists earn $55.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from East Honolulu to Hilo as a speech-language pathologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing East Honolulu and Hilo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: East Honolulu = $99,769, Hilo = $96,578), job availability (12 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in East Honolulu vs Hilo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) speech-language pathologists earn $75,979 in East Honolulu and $77,396 in Hilo. The Hilo area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, CCC-SLP

Career Analyst

Jordan has over 8 years of experience in speech-language pathology. He specializes in pediatric language disorders. He works in a community health clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Fatima Ali, CCC-SLPData verified by Miguel Torres, CCC-SLP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.99% 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, CCC-SLP, a licensed speech-language pathologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov