EMT Salary

Honolulu vs Pearl City: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Honolulu, HI and Pearl City, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Honolulu, HI
$59,738
$28.72/hr
Pearl City, HI
$54,489
$26.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHonolulu, HIPearl City, HI
Median Salary$59,738$54,489
Hourly Rate$28.72$26.20
Entry Level (P10)$42,816$40,894
25th Percentile$48,675$47,452
75th Percentile$68,866$61,596
Top Earner (P90)$85,240$75,759
Total Employed688
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Honolulu ($59,738) and Pearl City ($54,489) emergency medical technician salaries.HonoluluPearl CityMedian Salary$59,738$54,489Entry Level (P10)$42,816$40,894Top Earner (P90)$85,240$75,759US Median $47,058

Verdict

Honolulu, HI offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pearl City.

The salary gap between Honolulu and Pearl City is $5,249 (9.63%). Honolulu's median is +26.95% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Honolulu spans $42,424,Pearl City spans $34,865. Honolulu has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$42,816
P25$48,675
Median$59,738
P75$68,866
P90 (Top)$85,240
Pearl City
P10 (Entry)$40,894
P25$47,452
Median$54,489
P75$61,596
P90 (Top)$75,759

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Honolulu ($50,074 effective) pays 9.63% more than Pearl City ($45,674 effective).

Honolulu
Nominal: $59,738
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $50,074
Pearl City
Nominal: $54,489
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $45,674

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Honolulu if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,738/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($85,240)
  • Larger job market (68 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,074)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Pearl City if…

  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Honolulu grew -7.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -7.4% growth in Pearl City over the same period.

Honolulu, HI

+-7.4%

$60,933 (2024) → $56,452 (2025)

Pearl City, HI

+-7.4%

$55,579 (2024) → $51,492 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Honolulu or Pearl City?

Honolulu has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $59,738/year, compared to Pearl City at $54,489/year — a difference of $5,249 (9.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Honolulu and Pearl City?

Honolulu emergency medical technicians earn $28.72/hr while Pearl City hygienists earn $26.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Honolulu to Pearl City as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Honolulu and Pearl City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Honolulu = $50,074, Pearl City = $45,674), job availability (68 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Honolulu vs Pearl City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $42,816 in Honolulu and $40,894 in Pearl City. The Honolulu area offers higher starting salaries.
AP

Written by Aisha Patel, EMT-P

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as an emergency medical technician. She specializes in pre-hospital care and triage. Aisha works primarily in urban emergency services.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Mendoza, EMT-BData verified by Fatima Ali, EMT-I

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.82% 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 Aisha Patel, EMT-P, a licensed emergency medical technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov