Optometrist Salary

East Honolulu vs Pearl City: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between East Honolulu, HI and Pearl City, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

East Honolulu, HI
$164,443
$79.06/hr
Pearl City, HI
$162,816
$78.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEast Honolulu, HIPearl City, HI
Median Salary$164,443$162,816
Hourly Rate$79.06$78.28
Entry Level (P10)$95,377$94,433
25th Percentile$130,070$133,101
75th Percentile$191,469$197,271
Top Earner (P90)$243,784$238,213
Total Employed128
Side-by-side bar chart comparing East Honolulu ($164,443) and Pearl City ($162,816) optometrist salaries.East HonoluluPearl CityMedian Salary$164,443$162,816Entry Level (P10)$95,377$94,433Top Earner (P90)$243,784$238,213US Median $140,612

Verdict

East Honolulu, HI offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pearl City.

The salary gap between East Honolulu and Pearl City is $1,627 (1.00%). East Honolulu's median is +16.95% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in East Honolulu spans $148,407,Pearl City spans $143,780. East Honolulu has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

East Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$95,377
P25$130,070
Median$164,443
P75$191,469
P90 (Top)$243,784
Pearl City
P10 (Entry)$94,433
P25$133,101
Median$162,816
P75$197,271
P90 (Top)$238,213

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, East Honolulu ($137,840 effective) pays 1.00% more than Pearl City ($136,476 effective).

East Honolulu
Nominal: $164,443
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $137,840
Pearl City
Nominal: $162,816
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $136,476

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose East Honolulu if…

  • Higher median salary ($164,443/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($243,784)
  • Larger job market (12 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $137,840)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Pearl City if…

  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in East Honolulu grew -2.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -2.5% growth in Pearl City over the same period.

East Honolulu, HI

+-2.5%

$163,727 (2024) → $159,715 (2025)

Pearl City, HI

+-2.5%

$162,107 (2024) → $158,135 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: East Honolulu or Pearl City?

East Honolulu has a higher median optometrist salary at $164,443/year, compared to Pearl City at $162,816/year — a difference of $1,627 (1.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between East Honolulu and Pearl City?

East Honolulu optometrists earn $79.06/hr while Pearl City hygienists earn $78.28/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from East Honolulu to Pearl City as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing East Honolulu and Pearl City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: East Honolulu = $137,840, Pearl City = $136,476), job availability (12 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in East Honolulu vs Pearl City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $95,377 in East Honolulu and $94,433 in Pearl City. The East Honolulu area offers higher starting salaries.
AP

Written by Aisha Patel, OD

Career Analyst

Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Rajiv Kumar, ODData verified by Sofia Martinez, OD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.96% 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 Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov