Teacher Salary

Kaneohe vs Urban Honolulu: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Kaneohe, HI and Urban Honolulu, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kaneohe, HI
$76,579
$36.82/hr
Urban Honolulu, HI
$73,796
$35.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKaneohe, HIUrban Honolulu, HI
Median Salary$76,579$73,796
Hourly Rate$36.82$35.47
Entry Level (P10)$59,407$57,963
25th Percentile$69,724$60,063
75th Percentile$95,259$75,674
Top Earner (P90)$118,698$95,992
Total Employed54,220
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kaneohe ($76,579) and Urban Honolulu ($73,796) elementary school teacher salaries.KaneoheUrban HonoluluMedian Salary$76,579$73,796Entry Level (P10)$59,407$57,963Top Earner (P90)$118,698$95,992US Median $64,597

Verdict

Kaneohe, HI offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Urban Honolulu.

The salary gap between Kaneohe and Urban Honolulu is $2,783 (3.77%). Kaneohe's median is +18.55% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kaneohe spans $59,291,Urban Honolulu spans $38,029. Kaneohe has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kaneohe
P10 (Entry)$59,407
P25$69,724
Median$76,579
P75$95,259
P90 (Top)$118,698
Urban Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$57,963
P25$60,063
Median$73,796
P75$75,674
P90 (Top)$95,992

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Urban Honolulu ($66,506 effective) pays 3.61% more than Kaneohe ($64,190 effective).

Kaneohe
Nominal: $76,579
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $64,190
Urban Honolulu
Nominal: $73,796
CoL Index: 110.961
Adjusted: $66,506

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kaneohe if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,579/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($118,698)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Urban Honolulu if…

  • Larger job market (4,220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,506)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Kaneohe grew -5.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 15.7% growth in Urban Honolulu over the same period.

Kaneohe, HI

+-5.9%

$80,613 (2024) → $75,836 (2025)

Urban Honolulu, HI

+15.7%

$63,170 (2019) → $73,080 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Kaneohe or Urban Honolulu?

Kaneohe has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $76,579/year, compared to Urban Honolulu at $73,796/year — a difference of $2,783 (3.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kaneohe and Urban Honolulu?

Kaneohe elementary school teachers earn $36.82/hr while Urban Honolulu hygienists earn $35.47/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kaneohe to Urban Honolulu as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kaneohe and Urban Honolulu. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kaneohe = $64,190, Urban Honolulu = $66,506), job availability (5 vs 4,220 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Kaneohe vs Urban Honolulu?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $59,407 in Kaneohe and $57,963 in Urban Honolulu. The Kaneohe area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, MAData verified by David Kim, Ed.D.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 0.98% 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 Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov