Occupational Therapy Degree Programs in Urban Honolulu, HI (2026)
Quick answer: The Urban Honolulu metro employs about 320 occupational therapists (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing is set at the state level, through your state occupational therapy licensing board.
Licensing
Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. Occupational therapists are licensed state by state. The national framework is an ACOTE-accredited degree - ACOTE being the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education - followed by the NBCOT certification examination. States build licensure on top of that certification and set their own supervision, renewal and endorsement rules.
See the Hawaii licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with your state occupational therapy licensing board.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record within 250 miles of this area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Occupational Therapists Earn in Urban Honolulu
Occupational Therapists in the Urban Honolulu area earn a median $102,870 per year, above the national median of $100,330 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Occupational Therapy Pay in Urban Honolulu, HI
| Metric | Urban Honolulu metro | Hawaii | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $102,870 | $102,870 | $100,330 |
| 10th percentile | $77,960 | $78,670 | $71,690 |
| 25th percentile | $83,730 | $85,910 | $82,510 |
| 75th percentile | $112,310 | $112,310 | $116,670 |
| 90th percentile | $118,240 | $118,240 | $131,950 |
| Employment | 320 | 390 | 162,450 |
| Location quotient | 0.7 | - | 1.00 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Urban Honolulu, HI metropolitan statistical area.
What the Numbers Say About This Market
The Urban Honolulu median of $102,870 is above the national median of $100,330, and level with the Hawaii statewide median of $102,870 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The metro’s location quotient of 0.7 means occupational therapists are less concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.
Occupational therapy demand follows school districts, hospital systems, skilled nursing capacity and home health agencies in the area.
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Urban Honolulu?
The median annual wage for occupational therapists in the Urban Honolulu, HI metro area is $102,870, above the national median of $100,330 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many occupational therapists work in the Urban Honolulu area?
The Urban Honolulu, HI metro area employs about 320 occupational therapists (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Do occupational therapists in Urban Honolulu need a license?
Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. Occupational therapists are licensed state by state. The national framework is an ACOTE-accredited degree - ACOTE being the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education - followed by the NBCOT certification examination. States build licensure on top of that certification and set their own supervision, renewal and endorsement rules. Confirm current requirements with your state occupational therapy licensing board.
Can I study occupational therapy online from Urban Honolulu?
The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies your state occupational therapy licensing board.
Is Urban Honolulu a better market than the rest of Hawaii?
The Urban Honolulu metro median is $102,870 against a statewide median of $102,870 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.
Related
- Occupational Therapy degree programs in Hawaii - statewide pay, licensing and metro comparison
- Occupational Therapy programs and how to choose one
- Occupational Therapy Assistant career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Occupational Therapists (SOC 29-1122), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.