Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Kahului, HI: $50,726 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Kahului, HI earns a median $50,726/year (≈ $24.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Kahului's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.4), that paycheck buys what $46,370 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Hawaii state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistant salaries in Kahului, Hawaii, present a notable picture for professionals in this healthcare sector, with a median annual salary projected at $50,726. This figure positions Kahului significantly ahead of the national average, reflecting a local market that values the essential contributions of CNAs. The full salary range spans from $41,812 at the 10th percentile to $60,524 at the 90th percentile, indicating the diverse opportunities available based on experience and skill level. These numbers are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and highlight a strong healthcare landscape that is not only vital to community well-being but also provides clear pathways for career advancement, such as transitioning to LPN or RN roles, which often attract higher wages and expanded responsibilities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,812 | $20.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,395 | $23.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,726 | $24.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,195 | $24.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,524 | $29.10 |
Median Salary Position
12.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kahului
In Kahului, HI, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,712 (2026 est.). At $50,726, the local median is 12.71% above the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Kahului: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kahului Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Kahului median: $50,726/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kahului Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $53,678 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +12.71% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Kahului, HI earn a median of $50,726 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.71% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 5.50% below the Hawaii state average of $53,678.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kahului has a cost of living 9.39% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kahului, HI has a cost-of-living index of 109.393 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,726 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,370 — a 8.59% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,050
2025 BLS Actual
$47,630
2026 Current Est.
$50,726
2019–2027 Growth
+45.8%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Kahului (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,726 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,023 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kahului metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 28.6% from $37,050 (2019) to $47,630 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,023 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,973 (45.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kahului 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) | $41,812 – $49,395 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,395 – $50,726 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,726 – $51,195 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,195 – $60,524 |
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 Kahului
Kahului's job market for certified nursing assistants demonstrates strength, with approximately 330 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index at 109.393 signifies that living expenses are above the national average, which affects the purchasing power of take-home wages. Employers that tend to offer the highest pay include skilled nursing facilities, hospitals (particularly in critical care units), and home health agencies. Variations in compensation often depend on factors like shift differentials—where night shifts may earn an additional $2-4 per hour—and weekends often fetching premiums between $1-3. Moreover, job opportunities that include CMA certification stipends or roles focusing on higher acuity patients can also lead to enhanced pay scales. For CNAs in Kahului, tapping into these strategies while considering ongoing education or transitioning to more advanced roles can significantly maximize earning potential in this competitive market.
More salary data for Kahului, 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 $47,630 for certified nursing assistantsin the Kahului 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
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 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