CNA Salary

Honolulu vs Kaneohe: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Honolulu, HI and Kaneohe, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Honolulu, HI
$57,133
$27.47/hr
Kaneohe, HI
$53,355
$25.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHonolulu, HIKaneohe, HI
Median Salary$57,133$53,355
Hourly Rate$27.47$25.66
Entry Level (P10)$42,889$44,327
25th Percentile$48,118$47,470
75th Percentile$65,323$58,180
Top Earner (P90)$70,999$62,396
Total Employed685
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Honolulu ($57,133) and Kaneohe ($53,355) certified nursing assistant salaries.HonoluluKaneoheMedian Salary$57,133$53,355Entry Level (P10)$42,889$44,327Top Earner (P90)$70,999$62,396US Median $45,007

Verdict

Honolulu, HI offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kaneohe.

The salary gap between Honolulu and Kaneohe is $3,778 (7.08%). Honolulu's median is +26.94% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Honolulu spans $28,110,Kaneohe spans $18,069. Honolulu has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$42,889
P25$48,118
Median$57,133
P75$65,323
P90 (Top)$70,999
Kaneohe
P10 (Entry)$44,327
P25$47,470
Median$53,355
P75$58,180
P90 (Top)$62,396

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Honolulu ($47,890 effective) pays 7.08% more than Kaneohe ($44,723 effective).

Honolulu
Nominal: $57,133
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $47,890
Kaneohe
Nominal: $53,355
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $44,723

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 ($57,133/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($70,999)
  • Larger job market (68 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,890)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Kaneohe if…

  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Honolulu grew 0.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 0.6% growth in Kaneohe over the same period.

Honolulu, HI

+0.6%

$53,316 (2024) → $53,646 (2025)

Kaneohe, HI

+0.6%

$49,791 (2024) → $50,099 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Honolulu or Kaneohe?

Honolulu has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $57,133/year, compared to Kaneohe at $53,355/year — a difference of $3,778 (7.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Honolulu and Kaneohe?

Honolulu certified nursing assistants earn $27.47/hr while Kaneohe hygienists earn $25.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Honolulu to Kaneohe as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Honolulu and Kaneohe. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Honolulu = $47,890, Kaneohe = $44,723), job availability (68 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Honolulu vs Kaneohe?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $42,889 in Honolulu and $44,327 in Kaneohe. The Kaneohe area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN

Career Analyst

Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.50% 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 Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov