Police Officer Salary in Kailua, HI: $92,886 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Kailua, HI earns a median $92,886/year (≈ $44.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Kailua's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $77,859 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kailua, HI, police officer salaries are projected to reach a median annual figure of $92,886 in 2026, illustrating a notable advantage over the national median of $78,542. Salary ranges span from $59,482 at the 10th percentile to $136,454 at the 90th percentile, revealing a diverse earning potential within the local job market. These figures are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflecting the unique economic dynamics in Kailua. This level of compensation not only attracts talent to the municipal police department but also sets the stage for competitive job offerings, considering the varying structural choices available in law enforcement.
About the Kailua Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,482 | $28.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,580 | $34.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,886 | $44.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,988 | $56.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,454 | $65.60 |
Median Salary Position
18.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kailua
In Kailua, HI, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,972 (2026 est.). At $92,886, the local median is 18.26% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kailua: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kailua Police Officer Pay Compares
Kailua median: $92,886/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kailua Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $93,729 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +18.26% more |
Police Officers in Kailua, HI earn a median of $92,886 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.26% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 0.90% below the Hawaii state average of $93,729.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kailua has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kailua, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $92,886 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,859 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,683
2025 BLS Actual
$90,128
2026 Current Est.
$92,886
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Kailua (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,683 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,509 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,805 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,245 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,128 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,886 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,728 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kailua metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $74,683 (2019) to $90,128 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,728 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,045 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kailua 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) | $59,482 – $72,580 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,580 – $92,886 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,886 – $117,988 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,988 – $136,454 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Kailua
With only six police officers currently employed in Kailua, the localized job market presents both opportunities and challenges linked to the cost of living, which stands at a significantly high index of 119.3. This index suggests that while salaries are competitive, actual take-home purchasing power can be pressured by elevated living costs. Among local employers, municipal police departments generally provide the most substantial salaries compared to state and federal positions, largely due to overtime and specialty unit assignments that could enhance pay. Moreover, strategies to maximize compensation in Kailua might include pursuing educational incentives or focusing on securing positions within specialized units, given the market's reliance on the complexity of pay structures like pension multipliers and shift differentials. Understanding these local nuances can be pivotal for current officers and candidates evaluating how much do police officers make in Kailua and how they can effectively navigate their careers in this arena.
More salary data for Kailua, 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 $90,128 for police officersin the Kailua 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 Kailua 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