According to Hawaii’s Workforce Infonet, there will be around 220 dispatch positions throughout the state by 2026. Although that represents a 10 percent increase, which is greater than the national average for dispatch positions, it only means around 20 job openings each year… both from new positions created and churn within existing slots.
But each of those positions make slightly more than the national average, with a median of $46,240 ($22.23/hr). In the top ranks, though, they are pretty much in line with the top ten percent nationally at $61,030 ($29.34/hr). Considering the extracurricular benefits of life on the islands, it’s pretty fair compensation for a job with Five-0.
Salaries at the Agencies Employing 911 Dispatchers in Hawaii
Apart from a sizable military emergency communication service handled by the Navy, the islands have generally focused on offering centralized 911 services managed by the island police agencies:
- Hawaii County Police Department
- Commander Navy Region Hawaii Regional Dispatch Center
- Honolulu Police Department
- Kauai Police Department
- Maui Police Department
- 10th percentile: $16.94/hr / $35,240
- Median: $22.23/hr / $46,240
- 90th percentile: $29.34/hr / $61,030
Over one million annual calls at the Honolulu Police Department dispatch center has led to a shortage in trained dispatchers as of early 2019.
Salary and employment data compiled by the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics in May of 2018. Figures represent accumulated data for all areas of employment for emergency services dispatchers https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_hi.htm#43-5031. BLS salary data represents state and MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) average and median earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Job growth projections sourced from the Hawaii Workforce Infonet and published in the U.S. Department of Labor-funded Long Term Occupational Projections (2016-2026) database – https://projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm.
All salary and job growth data accessed in June 2019.