Physical Therapy Technician Jobs in Hawaii

Hawaii PT Tech Job Market

Hawaii offers exceptional opportunities for Physical Therapy Technicians, with salaries +10% vs national vs the national average and access to top rehabilitation facilities.

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Strong Demand

280+ PT Tech positions open annually across Hawaii. Population density (highest in US) drives consistent healthcare demand.

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Premium Pay

$38,920 average salary, +10% vs national vs national. Metro Hawaii pays even higher—up to $50,600 at top facilities.

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Elite Facilities

Home to The Queen's Health System and other leading healthcare facilities across Hawaii.

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Career Growth

Major employers offer tuition reimbursement for PT Techs pursuing PTA degrees. Clear advancement pathways available.

What Physical Therapy Technicians Do

PT Techs work under the direct supervision of licensed Physical Therapists, providing essential support for patient care and clinic operations.

✓ Daily PT Tech Responsibilities

● Patient Exercise Assistance: Guide patients through therapeutic exercises prescribed by the PT, ensuring proper form and safety
● Treatment Preparation: Set up treatment areas, prepare equipment, apply hot/cold packs, and ready modalities like ultrasound
● Patient Transfers: Assist patients with mobility, transfers between surfaces, and safe ambulation with devices
● Equipment Maintenance: Clean, sanitize, and maintain therapy equipment; report any malfunctions
● Documentation Support: Record patient attendance, exercise completion, and observations for PT review
● Patient Transport: Escort patients to and from treatment areas; assist with wheelchairs and walkers

🏥 Work Settings in Hawaii

● Outpatient PT Clinics: Most common setting—Maui Health System alone has 100+ HI locations. Regular hours, diverse patient cases.
● Inpatient Rehabilitation: The Queen's Health System and hospital rehab units. Complex cases including stroke, TBI, spinal cord injuries.
● Hospital PT Departments: Acute care settings at major systems like Hackensack Meridian and Kaiser Permanente Hawaii.
● Skilled Nursing Facilities: Post-acute rehabilitation for elderly patients. Consistent schedules, growing demand.
● Sports Medicine: Athletic training facilities, sports PT clinics. Work with athletes at all levels.
● Home Health: Travel to patient homes. Higher pay, mileage reimbursement, flexible scheduling.

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PT Tech vs. Other Healthcare Roles

Physical Therapy Technicians focus specifically on PT support tasks. PT Techs do not perform clinical tasks like blood draws, EKGs, medication administration, or wound care—those are performed by nurses, PCTs, or medical assistants. PT Techs work exclusively within the physical therapy department under PT supervision.

Top PT Tech Employers in Hawaii

Hawaii's largest health systems and rehabilitation facilities are actively hiring PT Techs. These employers offer competitive pay, benefits, and career advancement opportunities.

The Queen's Health System

Hawaii's Largest

Honolulu

Hawaii's largest health system

808-691-5900 View Jobs →

Hawaii Pacific Health

Healthcare Leader

Oahu

Four-hospital system

808-535-7401 View Jobs →

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii

Regional Provider

Oahu

Major insurer and provider

808-432-5955 View Jobs →

Maui Health System

Growing Network

Maui

Outer island healthcare

808-244-9056 View Jobs →

Tripler Army Medical Center

Hawaii's Largest

Honolulu

Military medicine, largest pink building

808-433-6661 View Jobs →

The Queen's Health System

Rural Hawaii

Rural areas

Hawaii's largest health system

808-691-5900 View Jobs →

PT Tech Salaries Across Hawaii

Salaries vary across Hawaii regions. Metro Hawaii typically pays highest, while Rural Hawaii offers different cost-of-living dynamics.

Metro Hawaii

Major metro areas

$44K-$48K

Highest wages, urban centers

Suburban Hawaii

Suburban counties

$38K-$44K

Balanced cost/salary

Central Hawaii

Central regions

$35K-$40K

Growing healthcare sector

Rural Hawaii

Rural areas

$33K-$36K

Lower COL, community focus

Pro Tip: While Metro Hawaii pays highest, Rural Hawaii's lower housing costs often result in similar take-home purchasing power. Consider total compensation including benefits, commute time, and quality of life.

How to Land a PT Tech Job in Hawaii

Follow these proven strategies to stand out in Hawaii's competitive PT Tech job market.

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1. Get Certified

Complete PT Tech training and earn your CPR/BLS certification. AMCA certification significantly improves your competitiveness, especially at top facilities like The Queen's Health System.

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2. Target Top Employers

Apply directly to major health systems. The Queen's Health System, Hawaii Pacific Health, and Kaiser Permanente Hawaii have dedicated PT department hiring. Check their career pages regularly.

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3. Network Locally

Attend HI Physical Therapy Association events. Connect with PTs during your externship. Many PT Tech positions are filled through referrals before being posted publicly.

Ready to Start Your PT Tech Career?

Complete EHired's free PT Tech training program and gain the skills Hawaii employers are looking for.

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Make a one-time payment when you're ready to challenge for certification and start working

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Physical Therapy Technicians do on the job in Hawaii?

PT Techs in Hawaii prepare treatment areas and equipment, assist patients with therapeutic exercises under PT supervision, help with patient transfers and mobility, apply hot/cold packs, set up treatment modalities like ultrasound and electrical stimulation, transport patients, maintain equipment, and document patient progress. They work under the direct supervision of licensed Physical Therapists.

Which employers hire the most PT Techs in Hawaii?

Major PT Tech employers in Hawaii include The Queen's Health System (#4 ranked nationally), Hawaii Pacific Health (HI's largest system), Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, Maui Health System (largest private PT practice in tristate), Tripler Army Medical Center, and The Queen's Health System. Hospital systems, outpatient PT clinics, and rehabilitation centers are the primary employers.

How much do PT Techs earn in Hawaii?

Physical Therapy Technicians in Hawaii earn an average of $38,920 per year (+10% vs national). Entry-level positions start around $27,600, experienced PT Techs earn $45,100+, and top earners at leading facilities can reach $50,600+. Metro Hawaii generally pays highest in the state.

What settings do PT Techs work in?

Hawaii PT Techs work in outpatient physical therapy clinics, hospital rehabilitation departments, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, sports medicine centers, home health agencies, and specialty practices like pediatric or neurological PT. Outpatient clinics are the most common setting, followed by hospital-based positions.

Do I need certification to get a PT Tech job in Hawaii?

Hawaii does not require state licensure for PT Techs—you work under PT supervision. However, employers strongly prefer candidates with formal training and CPR/BLS certification. AMCA certification demonstrates competency and significantly improves job prospects, especially at competitive employers like The Queen's Health System and major health systems.