Kahului vs Kailua: Speech-Language Pathologist Salary (2026)
Compare speech-language pathologist salaries between Kahului, HI and Kailua, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Kahului, HI | Kailua, HI |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $115,396 | $120,361▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $55.48 | $57.87▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,318 | $79,469▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $90,610 | $96,034▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $132,613 | $139,845▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $151,908 | $160,499▲ |
| Total Employed | 5 | 6▲ |
Verdict
Kailua, HI offers better overall compensation for speech-language pathologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kahului.
The salary gap between Kahului and Kailua is $4,965 (4.30%). Kailua's median is +18.26% compared to the US national median of $101,775.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kahului spans $74,590,Kailua spans $81,030. Kailua has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced speech-language pathologists.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Kailua ($100,889 effective) pays 4.30% more than Kahului ($96,728 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Kahului if…
- ✓You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle
Choose Kailua if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($120,361/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($160,499)
- ✓Larger job market (6 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $100,889)
- ✓You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, speech-language pathologist salaries in Kahului grew 55.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.9% growth in Kailua over the same period.
Kahului, HI
$71,380 (2019) → $110,968 (2025)
Kailua, HI
$113,532 (2024) → $115,743 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Kahului, HI
Kailua, HI
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays speech-language pathologists more: Kahului or Kailua?
What is the hourly rate difference between Kahului and Kailua?
Should I relocate from Kahului to Kailua as a speech-language pathologist?
What do entry-level speech-language pathologists earn in Kahului vs Kailua?
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.
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