Police Officer Salary in Honolulu, HI: $99,704 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Honolulu, HI earns a median $99,704/year (≈ $47.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Honolulu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $83,574 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for police officers in Honolulu, Hawaii, is projected at $99,704, significantly above the national median of $78,542, representing a 26.94% increase. The salary range is quite broad, with starting officers earning around $57,829 and more experienced officials exceeding $153,274. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the local cost of living. With a unique law enforcement structure that includes municipal and state agencies, as well as federal options, Honolulu's police officer pay reflects the greater competition and increased funding available within the urban setting compared to rural counterparts.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,829 | $27.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,882 | $35.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,704 | $47.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,621 | $61.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,274 | $73.69 |
Median Salary Position
26.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Honolulu
In Honolulu, HI, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $95,445 (2026 est.). At $99,704, the local median is 26.94% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Honolulu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Honolulu Police Officer Pay Compares
Honolulu median: $99,704/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $93,707 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | +26.94% more |
Police Officers in Honolulu, HI earn a median of $99,704 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.94% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 6.40% above the Hawaii state average of $93,707.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Honolulu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $99,704 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $83,574 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,165
2025 BLS Actual
$96,744
2026 Current Est.
$99,704
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,165 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,199 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,018 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,516 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,755 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,016 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,744 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,704 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,755 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Honolulu metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $80,165 (2019) to $96,744 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,755 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,590 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Honolulu 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $57,829 – $73,882 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,882 – $99,704 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,704 – $127,621 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,621 – $153,274 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Honolulu
The job market in Honolulu features approximately 68 police officers, underlining a solid demand in a locale that combines a relatively high cost-of-living index of 119.3. This elevated index means officers must be mindful of their take-home purchasing power, as daily expenses can quickly erode salaries that appear substantial on paper. Federal agencies, such as the FBI and DEA, typically provide higher compensation, along with enhanced benefits, compared to their municipal and state counterparts. The variation in pay largely stems from agency types, as well as elements like union contracts, special assignments, and educational incentives. For those looking to maximize their police officer salary in Honolulu, pursuing roles within specialized units or seeking opportunities to earn overtime can be effective strategies in a competitive landscape.
More salary data for Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $96,744 for police officersin the Honolulu metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Honolulu is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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