Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in Hawaii: $109,729 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Hawaii's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $109,729/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because Hawaii sits at BEA RPP 119.3 (19% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $91,977 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Honolulu ($124,240), Kaneohe ($116,024), Mililani Town ($115,816).
In Hawaii, the projected average median salary for speech-language pathologists in 2026 is $109,729, which is 7.8% higher than the national median of $101,775. The highest-paying city is Honolulu at $129,197, while Urban Honolulu offers the lowest salary at $101,806, creating a noticeable gap driven by factors such as cost of living, demand for services, and local funding for speech-language programs. Hawaii's specific requirements for state licensing and scope of practice laws can influence earning potential and job responsibilities. The demand for qualified speech-language pathologists is expected to grow, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.99%. This increase can be attributed to the state's unique demographic needs and an emphasis on educational support services, particularly in schools and healthcare settings. Among the top cities projected for 2026, Kaneohe ($120,653), Mililani Town ($120,437), Kailua ($120,361), and East Honolulu ($119,024) follow Honolulu closely, reflecting how local economies and resources allocate funds for speech-language services. With a total employment number of 355 speech-language pathologists, the job market in Hawaii shows promise for continued growth and demand in the coming years.
Hawaii Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Hawaii: $63,424 (lowest entry-level) to $179,653 (highest top earner)
Hawaii vs National Average
Hawaii speech-language pathologists earn 7.82% more than the national median (+$7,954/year difference).
Hawaii Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in Hawaii range from $68,256 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $141,734 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $109,729. The Hawaii median is $7,954 above the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $52.76/hr. Approximately 355 speech-language pathologists are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$71,380
2025 BLS Actual
$105,519
2026 Current Est.
$109,729
2019–2027 Growth
+59.9%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in Hawaii (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,134 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,885 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,519 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,729 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,107 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hawaii metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 47.8% from $71,380 (2019) to $105,519 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $114,107 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,727 (59.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hawaii metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.99% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Hawaii
Lowest Paying Cities in Hawaii
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | $101,806 |
| Hilo | $115,217 |
| Kahului | $115,396 |
| Pearl City | $117,846 |
| Waipahu | $118,976 |
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in Hawaii
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Hawaii cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $129,197 | 119.3 | $108,296 |
| Kaneohe | $120,653 | 119.3 | $101,134 |
| Mililani Town | $120,437 | 119.3 | $100,953 |
| Kailua | $120,361 | 119.3 | $100,889 |
| East Honolulu | $119,024 | 119.3 | $99,769 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Hawaii
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $68,256 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $109,729 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $141,734 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Hawaii metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Hawaii
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honolulu | $129,197 |
| 2 | Kaneohe | $120,653 |
| 3 | Mililani Town | $120,437 |
| 4 | Kailua | $120,361 |
| 5 | East Honolulu | $119,024 |
| 6 | Waipahu | $118,976 |
| 7 | Pearl City | $117,846 |
| 8 | Kahului | $115,396 |
| 9 | Hilo | $115,217 |
| 10 | Urban Honolulu | $101,806 |
More Hawaii Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in Hawaii cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new speech-language pathologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced speech-language pathologists.
Explore More Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in Hawaii in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in Hawaii?
How does Hawaii speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in Hawaii?
How many speech-language pathologists are employed in Hawaii?
Which Hawaii city offers the best value for speech-language pathologists?
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
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 speech-language pathologist compensation across Hawaii. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more speech-language pathologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.99%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for speech-language pathologists (SOC 29-1127).
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