Honolulu Police Salary in Hawaiʻi (2025 -2026)
If you’re thinking about becoming a police officer in Hawaiʻi, one of the first questions people ask is pretty simple: “How much does HPD pay?” After all, Hawaiʻi is beautiful… but the rent and plate lunch prices remind us it’s not cheap to live here.
The good news is that the Honolulu Police Department offers a solid salary with steady raises over time, plus good benefits and opportunities to earn extra income.
Starting Salary
A Honolulu Police Recruit in 2025 earns the following:
$79,812 per year ($87,716 including SOCD*)
$6,651 per month ($7,309 including SCOD*)
$38.37 per hour ($42.77 including SOCD*)
On top of that, officers receive something called a Standards of Conduct Differential (SOCD) of about $658 per month. In simple terms, it’s extra pay for maintaining professional standards on and off duty.
A Honolulu Police Officer (after 1 year probation) in 2025 earns the following:
$82,956 per year ($90,860 including SOCD*)
$6,913 per month ($7,571 including SOCD*)
$39.88 per hour ($43.68 including SOCD*)
Not bad for a career where you also get to drive a patrol car and occasionally tell your friends, “Yeah… I work nights.”
Salary Increases Over Time
The longer you stay with the department, the more your salary increases through step raises.
Overtime and Extra Duty
This is where things can really add up.
Many officers earn additional income through:
Overtime shifts
Special duty jobs (events, traffic control, concerts, etc.)
Night differential pay
If you’ve ever seen officers working security at big events, that’s often special duty, and it can add a nice boost to the paycheck.
Benefits
HPD officers also receive strong benefits, including:
State retirement pension
Health and dental insurance
Paid vacation and sick leave
Holiday pay
Training and career advancement opportunities
In other words, it’s a stable government career, which is something a lot of families in Hawaiʻi value.
Final Thoughts
Hawaiʻi is an expensive place to live, but a career with the Honolulu Police Department provides steady pay, solid benefits, and long-term stability. Plus, you get the opportunity to serve the community you grew up in.
And let’s be honest, there aren’t many jobs where your office view might include Waikīkī, Diamond Head, and or, a random chicken crossing the road at 2 a.m.
