Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Honolulu, HI: $57,133 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Honolulu, HI earns a median $57,133/year (≈ $27.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Honolulu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $47,890 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Honolulu, Hawaii, is projected to reach a median of $57,133, reflecting a significant increase compared to the national median of $45,007. Certified nursing assistants in this vibrant city can expect salaries to fall within a range of $42,889 at the lower end (P10) to $70,999 at the upper end (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional costs, highlight the competitive pay landscape in Honolulu. With numerous healthcare facilities offering various roles, including opportunities in skilled nursing and hospital settings, the differential pay realities are noteworthy—often favoring positions in higher-acuity environments.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,889 | $20.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,118 | $23.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,133 | $27.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,323 | $31.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,999 | $34.13 |
Median Salary Position
26.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Honolulu
In Honolulu, HI, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,110 (2026 est.). At $57,133, the local median is 26.94% above the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Honolulu: You'd be above the median
How Honolulu Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Honolulu median: $57,133/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $53,696 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +26.94% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Honolulu, HI earn a median of $57,133 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.94% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 6.40% above the Hawaii state average of $53,696.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Honolulu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $57,133 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,890 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,651
2025 BLS Actual
$53,646
2026 Current Est.
$57,133
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,651 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,162 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,476 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,395 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,492 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,316 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,646 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,133 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,847 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Honolulu metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $37,651 (2019) to $53,646 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,847 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,196 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Honolulu 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 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $42,889 – $48,118 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,118 – $57,133 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,133 – $65,323 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,323 – $70,999 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Honolulu
Analyzing the job market in Honolulu, there are currently 68 certified nursing assistants employed, with a cost-of-living index of 119.3 indicating that expenses are considerably higher than the national average. This elevated cost of living inherently impacts take-home pay and purchasing power for CNAs in the area. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies tend to offer the most competitive compensation packages, often incentivizing night and weekend shifts with premiums ranging from $1 to $4 per hour. The disparity in wages is influenced by various factors, including shift differentials, agency pay rates during staffing shortages, and clinical specialties requiring additional certifications. To maximize earnings in this competitive environment, aspiring CNAs should consider pursuing advanced training or certifications, such as CMA or exploring bridge pathways to LPN or RN roles, ensuring they remain valuable assets amid a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $53,646 for certified nursing assistantsin the Honolulu metropolitan area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Honolulu is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
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