Athletic Trainer Salary

Kahului vs Urban Honolulu: Athletic Trainer Salary (2026)

Compare athletic trainer salaries between Kahului, HI and Urban Honolulu, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kahului, HI
$74,169
$35.66/hr
Urban Honolulu, HI
$79,038
$38.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKahului, HIUrban Honolulu, HI
Median Salary$74,169$79,038
Hourly Rate$35.66$38.00
Entry Level (P10)$59,478$58,708
25th Percentile$64,833$63,479
75th Percentile$86,920$82,448
Top Earner (P90)$101,155$87,816
Total Employed5160
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kahului ($74,169) and Urban Honolulu ($79,038) athletic trainer salaries.KahuluiUrban HonoluluMedian Salary$74,169$79,038Entry Level (P10)$59,478$58,708Top Earner (P90)$101,155$87,816US Median $65,415

Verdict

Urban Honolulu, HI offers better overall compensation for athletic trainers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kahului.

The salary gap between Kahului and Urban Honolulu is $4,869 (6.56%). Urban Honolulu's median is +20.83% compared to the US national median of $65,415.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kahului spans $41,677,Urban Honolulu spans $29,108. Kahului has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kahului
P10 (Entry)$59,478
P25$64,833
Median$74,169
P75$86,920
P90 (Top)$101,155
Urban Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$58,708
P25$63,479
Median$79,038
P75$82,448
P90 (Top)$87,816

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Urban Honolulu ($71,230 effective) pays 14.57% more than Kahului ($62,170 effective).

Kahului
Nominal: $74,169
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $62,170
Urban Honolulu
Nominal: $79,038
CoL Index: 110.961
Adjusted: $71,230

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kahului if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($101,155)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Urban Honolulu if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,038/year)
  • Larger job market (160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,230)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, athletic trainer salaries in Kahului grew 0.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.6% growth in Urban Honolulu over the same period.

Kahului, HI

+0.8%

$70,298 (2024) → $70,887 (2025)

Urban Honolulu, HI

+22.6%

$61,590 (2019) → $75,540 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays athletic trainers more: Kahului or Urban Honolulu?

Urban Honolulu has a higher median athletic trainer salary at $79,038/year, compared to Kahului at $74,169/year — a difference of $4,869 (6.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kahului and Urban Honolulu?

Kahului athletic trainers earn $35.66/hr while Urban Honolulu hygienists earn $38.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kahului to Urban Honolulu as a athletic trainer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kahului and Urban Honolulu. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kahului = $62,170, Urban Honolulu = $71,230), job availability (5 vs 160 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level athletic trainers earn in Kahului vs Urban Honolulu?

Entry-level (10th percentile) athletic trainers earn $59,478 in Kahului and $58,708 in Urban Honolulu. The Kahului area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in athletic training. She specializes in injury prevention and rehabilitation. She has worked at several high schools and collegiate athletic programs.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gomez, MS, ATCData verified by David Kim, BS, ATC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.63% 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 Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov