Kahului vs Waipahu: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)
Compare dental hygienist salaries between Kahului, HI and Waipahu, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Kahului, HI | Waipahu, HI |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $109,222 | $120,345▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $52.51 | $57.85▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,529▲ | $92,216 |
| 25th Percentile | $104,153▲ | $101,343 |
| 75th Percentile | $111,027 | $127,831▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $126,809 | $155,495▲ |
| Total Employed | 100▲ | 9 |
Verdict
Waipahu, HI offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kahului.
The salary gap between Kahului and Waipahu is $11,123 (10.18%). Waipahu's median is +16.90% 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,Waipahu spans $63,279. Waipahu 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, Waipahu ($100,876 effective) pays 1.03% 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 Waipahu if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($120,345/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($155,495)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $100,876)
- ✓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 Waipahu over the same period.
Kahului, HI
$80,080 (2020) → $104,080 (2025)
Waipahu, HI
$83,025 (2020) → $114,680 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Kahului, HI
Waipahu, HI
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays dental hygienists more: Kahului or Waipahu?
What is the hourly rate difference between Kahului and Waipahu?
Should I relocate from Kahului to Waipahu as a dental hygienist?
What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Kahului vs Waipahu?
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