Police Officer Salary in Waipahu, HI: $91,817 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Waipahu, HI earns a median $91,817/year (≈ $44.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Waipahu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $76,963 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Waipahu, HI, presents a compelling scenario for police officers, with a projected median salary of $91,817 in 2026. This figure notably surpasses the national figure of $78,542, reflecting a robust job market that also includes a substantial salary range from $57,114 at the lower end to $138,731 at the high end. These estimates derive from BLS state-level data combined with regional cost adjustments, highlighting how overtime can significantly enhance take-home pay. Given the local economic factors and the employment of nine police officers in the area, Waipahu's compensation landscape indicates that effective earnings can increase substantially with additional duty assignments, particularly in high-demand roles or during special court duties.
About the Waipahu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,114 | $27.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,429 | $33.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,817 | $44.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,340 | $54.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138,731 | $66.70 |
Median Salary Position
16.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waipahu
In Waipahu, HI, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,617 (2026 est.). At $91,817, the local median is 16.9% above the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waipahu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waipahu Police Officer Pay Compares
Waipahu median: $91,817/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waipahu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $93,691 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | +16.90% more |
Police Officers in Waipahu, HI earn a median of $91,817 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.90% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 2.00% below the Hawaii state average of $93,691.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waipahu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waipahu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $91,817 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,963 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,824
2025 BLS Actual
$89,091
2026 Current Est.
$91,817
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Waipahu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,824 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,618 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,497 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,183 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,091 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,817 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,627 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waipahu metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $73,824 (2019) to $89,091 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,627 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,803 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waipahu 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) | $57,114 – $70,429 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,429 – $91,817 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,817 – $113,340 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,340 – $138,731 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Waipahu
With a cost-of-living index of 119.3, officers in Waipahu may find that their purchasing power is impacted compared to peers in other regions. Local municipal police departments represent the primary employers, offering varied pay scales compared to county sheriff's and state police offices. While federal law enforcement roles can provide higher salaries, many officers find satisfaction in municipal service due to community ties and localized missions. The salary spread in Waipahu is influenced by various factors, including agency type, union-negotiated overtime structures, and shift differentials. Strategies such as pursuing specialized assignments, adding educational credentials like a master’s degree, and engaging in overtime work can effectively maximize an officer's pay in this evolving market.
More salary data for Waipahu, 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 $89,091 for police officersin the Waipahu 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 Waipahu 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