Kahului vs Kailua: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)
Compare dental hygienist salaries between Kahului, HI and Kailua, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Kahului, HI | Kailua, HI |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $109,222 | $121,746▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $52.51 | $58.54▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,529▲ | $95,522 |
| 25th Percentile | $104,153 | $104,267▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $111,027 | $133,681▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $126,809 | $152,203▲ |
| Total Employed | 100▲ | 6 |
Verdict
Kailua, HI offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kahului.
The salary gap between Kahului and Kailua is $12,524 (11.47%). Kailua's median is +18.26% compared to the US national median of $102,946.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kahului spans $25,280,Kailua spans $56,681. Kailua has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Kailua ($102,050 effective) pays 2.21% more than Kahului ($99,844 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Kahului if…
- ✓Larger job market (100 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle
Choose Kailua if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($121,746/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($152,203)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $102,050)
- ✓You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Kahului grew 30.0% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 38.1% growth in Kailua over the same period.
Kahului, HI
$80,080 (2020) → $104,080 (2025)
Kailua, HI
$83,992 (2020) → $116,015 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Kahului, HI
Kailua, HI
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays dental hygienists more: Kahului or Kailua?
What is the hourly rate difference between Kahului and Kailua?
Should I relocate from Kahului to Kailua as a dental hygienist?
What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Kahului vs Kailua?
Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% 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 Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov