Optometrist Salary in Honolulu, HI: $178,499 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Honolulu, HI earns a median $178,499/year (≈ $85.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Honolulu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $149,622 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Honolulu, Hawaii, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $178,499, which is notably higher than the national median of $140,612. The salary range reflects a significant disparity in compensation, with the lowest earners making around $103,529 and top professionals potentially earning upwards of $268,752. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. In this dynamic market, the choice between practice ownership, employment as associates, or working for retail chains can heavily influence salary outcomes, with private practice often allowing for more earning potential through equity and specialized services.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $103,529 | $49.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $136,288 | $65.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $178,499 | $85.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $220,853 | $106.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $268,752 | $129.20 |
Median Salary Position
26.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Honolulu
In Honolulu, HI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $165,223 (2026 est.). At $178,499, the local median is 26.94% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Honolulu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Honolulu Optometrist Pay Compares
Honolulu median: $178,499/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $167,762 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +26.94% more |
Optometrists in Honolulu, HI earn a median of $178,499 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.94% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 6.40% above the Hawaii state average of $167,762.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Honolulu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $178,499 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $149,622 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$146,303
2025 BLS Actual
$173,367
2026 Current Est.
$178,499
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $146,303 | Actual |
| 2020 | $149,857 | Actual |
| 2021 | $157,791 | Actual |
| 2022 | $159,429 | Actual |
| 2023 | $167,388 | Actual |
| 2024 | $177,721 | Actual |
| 2025 | $173,367 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $178,499 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $183,782 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Honolulu metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $146,303 (2019) to $173,367 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $183,782 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,479 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Honolulu 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 2.96% 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) | $103,529 – $136,288 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $136,288 – $178,499 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $178,499 – $220,853 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $220,853 – $268,752 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Honolulu
The job market in Honolulu consists of approximately 68 employed optometrists, indicating a specialized and competitive environment. The cost of living index in Honolulu is elevated at 119.3, which means that while salaries may be higher, take-home purchasing power can be impacted by expenses tied to the area's living costs. Among local employers, private optometry practices tend to offer more competitive compensation compared to retail optical chains such as LensCrafters or Walmart Vision, primarily due to the potential for profit-sharing in OD/MD models and the value of building client relationships. The substantial salary variance among optometrists in Honolulu is driven by factors such as practice ownership benefits, the demand for specialty eye care following residency training, and changing employment terms post-acquisition in private equity deals. For optometrists looking to maximize their income in this market, focusing on advanced training, specializing in areas such as ocular disease, and considering entrepreneurial ventures could enhance earning power in an evolving field.
More salary data for Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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 $173,367 for optometristsin the Honolulu metropolitan area. A 2.96% 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 Honolulu 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 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov