PayByState

Hawaii · BLS SOC 31-9091

Dental Assistant salary in Hawaii

Median $53,510 · Top 10% earn $72,060+ · Roughly 1,886 workers in Hawaii. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Hawaii median
$53,510
$25.73/hr
Top 10%
$72,060
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$37,410
Entry-level range
Real pay
$47,270
CoL-adjusted (RPP 113.2)

Hawaii pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for dental assistants — $53,510 versus the national median of $47,350. After adjusting for Hawaii's high cost of living, real purchasing power is actually below the U.S. average — the headline number is misleading. The state employs roughly 1,886 dental assistants.

What drives dental assistant pay in Hawaii

Hawaii pays close to the U.S. median for dental assistants. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

Hawaii ranks #9 of 50 states

Where Hawaii sits in the national distribution for dental assistant pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Hawaii
#7 Oregon $53,980 +$470
#6 Minnesota $54,450 +$940
#5 Alaska $54,930 +$1,420
#9 Hawaii (this page) $53,510 —
#11 New Jersey $53,030 −$480
#12 New Hampshire $53,030 −$480
#13 Maryland $52,090 −$1,420
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Hawaii

The typical path is a postsecondary nondegree certificate (8–12 mo); on-the-job in some states, taking about 10 months. Tuition ranges from $1,000 (community college) to $12,000 (private accelerated). On the Hawaii median of $53,510, payback periods are typically 0.6 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Dental Assistant salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Hawaii selected.

Dental Assistant salary in Hawaii — FAQ

What is the average dental assistant salary in Hawaii?
The median dental assistant salary in Hawaii is $53,510 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $37,410; the top 10% earn $72,060 or more. About 1,886 people work in this role across the state.
How does Hawaii dental assistant pay compare to the national average?
Hawaii's median of $53,510 is $6,160 above the U.S. national median of $47,350. After adjusting for Hawaii's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 113.2), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $47,270.
Is dental assistant a good career in Hawaii?
On the data: Hawaii employs roughly 1,886 dental assistants, with a median wage of $53,510 and the top decile clearing $72,060. The role is projected to grow +7% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for dental assistants in Hawaii?
At the Hawaii median of $53,510 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $25.73/hr. The top 10% earn around $34.64/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $17.99/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Hawaii-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 31-9091: Dental Assistants), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Hawaii's RPP is 113.2 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.