Nurse Practitioner Pay

Hilo vs Kahului: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Hilo, HI and Kahului, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hilo, HI
$154,941
$74.49/hr
Kahului, HI
$169,875
$81.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHilo, HIKahului, HI
Median Salary$154,941$169,875
Hourly Rate$74.49$81.67
Entry Level (P10)$123,775$119,050
25th Percentile$140,175$139,254
75th Percentile$183,460$189,293
Top Earner (P90)$200,726$200,010
Total Employed760
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hilo ($154,941) and Kahului ($169,875) nurse practitioner salaries.HiloKahuluiMedian Salary$154,941$169,875Entry Level (P10)$123,775$119,050Top Earner (P90)$200,726$200,010US Median $136,864

Verdict

Kahului, HI offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hilo.

The salary gap between Hilo and Kahului is $14,934 (9.64%). Kahului's median is +24.12% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hilo spans $76,951,Kahului spans $80,960. Kahului has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse practitioners.

Hilo
P10 (Entry)$123,775
P25$140,175
Median$154,941
P75$183,460
P90 (Top)$200,726
Kahului
P10 (Entry)$119,050
P25$139,254
Median$169,875
P75$189,293
P90 (Top)$200,010

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kahului ($155,289 effective) pays 19.57% more than Hilo ($129,875 effective).

Hilo
Nominal: $154,941
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $129,875
Kahului
Nominal: $169,875
CoL Index: 109.393
Adjusted: $155,289

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hilo if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($200,726)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Kahului if…

  • Higher median salary ($169,875/year)
  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $155,289)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Hilo grew -3.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.8% growth in Kahului over the same period.

Hilo, HI

+-3.4%

$155,094 (2024) → $149,774 (2025)

Kahului, HI

+28.8%

$127,530 (2022) → $164,210 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Hilo or Kahului?

Kahului has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $169,875/year, compared to Hilo at $154,941/year — a difference of $14,934 (9.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hilo and Kahului?

Hilo nurse practitioners earn $74.49/hr while Kahului hygienists earn $81.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hilo to Kahului as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hilo and Kahului. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hilo = $129,875, Kahului = $155,289), job availability (7 vs 60 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Hilo vs Kahului?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $123,775 in Hilo and $119,050 in Kahului. The Hilo area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.45% 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 Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov