Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Waipahu, HI: $52,613 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Waipahu, HI earns a median $52,613/year (≈ $25.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Waipahu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $44,101 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Waipahu, HI, is projected to reach a median annual wage of $52,613, placing it significantly above the national median of $45,007, representing a 16.90% premium. The salary range for this profession in Waipahu varies from $42,475 at the 10th percentile to $65,178 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect localized estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, painting a picture of a market that has experienced notable changes following the COVID-19 pandemic. With a solid salary offering, Waipahu presents advantages for certified nursing assistants looking to establish or further their careers in a community impacted by workforce turnover.
About the Waipahu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,475 | $20.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,897 | $22.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,613 | $25.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,484 | $27.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,178 | $31.33 |
Median Salary Position
16.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waipahu
In Waipahu, HI, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,703 (2026 est.). At $52,613, the local median is 16.9% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waipahu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waipahu Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Waipahu median: $52,613/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waipahu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $53,687 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +16.90% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Waipahu, HI earn a median of $52,613 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.90% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 2.00% below the Hawaii state average of $53,687.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waipahu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waipahu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $52,613 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,101 — a 16.18% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$34,673
2025 BLS Actual
$49,402
2026 Current Est.
$52,613
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Waipahu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,673 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,064 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,432 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,803 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,656 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,099 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,402 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,613 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,033 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waipahu metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $34,673 (2019) to $49,402 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,033 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,360 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waipahu 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) | $42,475 – $45,897 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,897 – $52,613 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,613 – $56,484 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,484 – $65,178 |
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 Waipahu
The local job market for certified nursing assistants is currently supported by a small workforce, with only nine professionals employed in the area. This limited number indicates a potentially dynamic environment for job seekers. The cost-of-living index in Waipahu stands at 119.3, meaning that while salaries may be higher than national averages, the purchasing power is somewhat diminished due to living expenses. Among employers in the area, skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies tend to offer competitive wages, while weekend and night shifts often come with additional pay incentives. Factors driving the salary spread include shift differentials, agency premiums during staffing shortages, and acuity-based pay scales at various facilities. Aspiring certified nursing assistants can maximize their pay by seeking positions that offer weekend-only shifts or those that provide stipends for CMA certification, which can significantly enhance their overall earnings within this evolving market in Waipahu.
More salary data for Waipahu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Waipahu, HI in 2026?
Is Waipahu, HI a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Waipahu?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Waipahu?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in Waipahu?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Hawaii
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 $49,402 for certified nursing assistantsin the Waipahu 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 Waipahu 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