Police Officer Salary in Hawaii: $86,965 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Hawaii's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median police officer pay sits at $86,965/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 33-3051. Because Hawaii sits at BEA RPP 119.3 (19% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,896 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Honolulu ($96,744), Kaneohe ($90,347), Mililani Town ($90,185).
In Hawaii, police officer salaries saw projections for 2026 indicating an average median salary of $86,965, which is 10.7% higher than the national median of $78,542. The highest salaries can be found in Honolulu, where officers are expected to earn $99,704, while Kahului offers the lowest salary at $86,354. This salary discrepancy arises from factors such as cost of living disparities, local crime rates, and departmental budgets that vary between urban and more rural areas. The state imposes specific licensing requirements and regulations that police officers must follow, including completing training at an accredited academy. As the demand for law enforcement grows, driven by factors such as population increases and public safety concerns, the job market outlook remains strong, with an annual growth rate projected at 3.06%. Other cities in Hawaii, such as Kaneohe, Mililani Town, Kailua, and East Honolulu, are projected to offer competitive salaries of $93,112, $92,945, $92,886, and $91,853 respectively. For those pursuing a career in law enforcement in Hawaii, the evolving job landscape presents opportunities influenced by both local conditions and national trends.
Hawaii Police Officer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Hawaii: $54,747 (lowest entry-level) to $153,274 (highest top earner)
Hawaii vs National Average
Hawaii police officers earn 10.72% more than the national median (+$8,423/year difference).
Hawaii Police Officer Salary Distribution (2026)
Police Officer salaries in Hawaii range from $79,667 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $112,411 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $86,965. The Hawaii median is $8,423 above the US national median of $78,542. The average hourly rate is $41.81/hr. Approximately 2,020 police officers are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$78,072
2025 BLS Actual
$84,383
2026 Current Est.
$86,965
2019–2027 Growth
+14.8%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Hawaii (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,072 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,168 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,986 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,938 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,458 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,383 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,965 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,626 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hawaii metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 8.1% from $78,072 (2019) to $84,383 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,626 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,554 (14.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hawaii metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Hawaii
Lowest Paying Cities in Hawaii
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Kahului | $86,354 |
| Urban Honolulu | $86,385 |
| Hilo | $88,916 |
| Pearl City | $90,944 |
| Waipahu | $91,817 |
Best Value Cities for Police Officers in Hawaii
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Hawaii cities offer the most purchasing power for police officers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $99,704 | 119.3 | $83,574 |
| Kahului | $86,354 | 109.393 | $78,939 |
| Kaneohe | $93,112 | 119.3 | $78,049 |
| Mililani Town | $92,945 | 119.3 | $77,909 |
| Kailua | $92,886 | 119.3 | $77,859 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Hawaii
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $79,667 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $86,965 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $112,411 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Hawaii metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Hawaii
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honolulu | $99,704 |
| 2 | Kaneohe | $93,112 |
| 3 | Mililani Town | $92,945 |
| 4 | Kailua | $92,886 |
| 5 | East Honolulu | $91,853 |
| 6 | Waipahu | $91,817 |
| 7 | Pearl City | $90,944 |
| 8 | Hilo | $88,916 |
| 9 | Urban Honolulu | $86,385 |
| 10 | Kahului | $86,354 |
More Hawaii Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced police officers.
Explore More Police Officer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Hawaii in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for police officers in Hawaii?
How does Hawaii police officer pay compare to the national average?
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Which Hawaii city offers the best value for police officers?
Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 police officer compensation across Hawaii. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more police officerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov