Physical Therapy Degree Programs in Urban Honolulu, HI (2026)
Quick answer: The Urban Honolulu metro employs about 680 physical therapists (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing is set at the state level, through your state physical therapy licensing board.
Licensing
Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. Every state licenses physical therapists through its own board. The national constants are a CAPTE-accredited degree - CAPTE being the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education - and the National Physical Therapy Examination administered through the FSBPT. Boards add their own requirements around jurisprudence exams, background checks and continuing competence, and rules for licensure by endorsement between states vary.
See the Hawaii licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with your state physical 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 Physical Therapists Earn in Urban Honolulu
Physical Therapists in the Urban Honolulu area earn a median $101,700 per year, below the national median of $102,760 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Physical Therapy Pay in Urban Honolulu, HI
| Metric | Urban Honolulu metro | Hawaii | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $101,700 | $101,700 | $102,760 |
| 10th percentile | $78,630 | $78,630 | $77,140 |
| 25th percentile | $85,150 | $93,600 | $86,160 |
| 75th percentile | $118,630 | $117,910 | $121,160 |
| 90th percentile | $123,280 | $123,280 | $135,140 |
| Employment | 680 | 950 | 267,330 |
| Location quotient | 0.88 | - | 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 $101,700 is below the national median of $102,760, and level with the Hawaii statewide median of $101,700 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The metro’s location quotient of 0.88 means physical 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.
Physical therapy demand tracks the local mix of outpatient orthopedic clinics, hospital systems, skilled nursing facilities and school districts.
Other Hawaii Metro Areas
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Kahului | $101,650 | 110 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
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 physical therapists make in Urban Honolulu?
The median annual wage for physical therapists in the Urban Honolulu, HI metro area is $101,700, below the national median of $102,760 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many physical therapists work in the Urban Honolulu area?
The Urban Honolulu, HI metro area employs about 680 physical therapists (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Do physical therapists in Urban Honolulu need a license?
Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. Every state licenses physical therapists through its own board. The national constants are a CAPTE-accredited degree - CAPTE being the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education - and the National Physical Therapy Examination administered through the FSBPT. Boards add their own requirements around jurisprudence exams, background checks and continuing competence, and rules for licensure by endorsement between states vary. Confirm current requirements with your state physical therapy licensing board.
Can I study physical 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 physical therapy licensing board.
Is Urban Honolulu a better market than the rest of Hawaii?
The Urban Honolulu metro median is $101,700 against a statewide median of $101,700 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.
Related
- Physical Therapy degree programs in Hawaii - statewide pay, licensing and metro comparison
- Physical Therapy programs and how to choose one
- Physical Therapy Aide 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 - Physical Therapists (SOC 29-1123), 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/.