Optometrist Salary

Honolulu vs Mililani Town: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Honolulu, HI and Mililani Town, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Honolulu, HI
$178,499
$85.82/hr
Mililani Town, HI
$166,396
$80.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHonolulu, HIMililani Town, HI
Median Salary$178,499$166,396
Hourly Rate$85.82$80.00
Entry Level (P10)$103,529$96,510
25th Percentile$136,288$134,048
75th Percentile$220,853$196,354
Top Earner (P90)$268,752$233,999
Total Employed685
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Honolulu ($178,499) and Mililani Town ($166,396) optometrist salaries.HonoluluMililani TownMedian Salary$178,499$166,396Entry Level (P10)$103,529$96,510Top Earner (P90)$268,752$233,999US Median $140,612

Verdict

Honolulu, HI offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Mililani Town.

The salary gap between Honolulu and Mililani Town is $12,103 (7.27%). Honolulu's median is +26.94% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Honolulu spans $165,223,Mililani Town spans $137,489. Honolulu has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$103,529
P25$136,288
Median$178,499
P75$220,853
P90 (Top)$268,752
Mililani Town
P10 (Entry)$96,510
P25$134,048
Median$166,396
P75$196,354
P90 (Top)$233,999

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Honolulu ($149,622 effective) pays 7.27% more than Mililani Town ($139,477 effective).

Honolulu
Nominal: $178,499
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $149,622
Mililani Town
Nominal: $166,396
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $139,477

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Honolulu if…

  • Higher median salary ($178,499/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($268,752)
  • Larger job market (68 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $149,622)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Mililani Town if…

  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Honolulu grew -2.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -2.5% growth in Mililani Town over the same period.

Honolulu, HI

+-2.4%

$177,721 (2024) → $173,367 (2025)

Mililani Town, HI

+-2.5%

$165,671 (2024) → $161,612 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Honolulu or Mililani Town?

Honolulu has a higher median optometrist salary at $178,499/year, compared to Mililani Town at $166,396/year — a difference of $12,103 (7.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Honolulu and Mililani Town?

Honolulu optometrists earn $85.82/hr while Mililani Town hygienists earn $80.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Honolulu to Mililani Town as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Honolulu and Mililani Town. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Honolulu = $149,622, Mililani Town = $139,477), job availability (68 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Honolulu vs Mililani Town?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $103,529 in Honolulu and $96,510 in Mililani Town. The 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