How to become a 911 dispatcher in Hawaii
In Hawaii, 911 dispatchers are hired by city, county and regional 911 centers. The Hawaii State Department of Health (Emergency Medical Services) sets the statewide standards; the credential is Emergency medical dispatch (EMD) certification. At the Honolulu Police Department (Police Communications Officers, 911 call-taking and dispatch), new hires start at $54,756 a year, rising to $81,048.
Pay at the Honolulu Police Department (Police Communications Officers, 911 call-taking and dispatch)
Each city and county sets its own pay. This is the official scale of the Honolulu Police Department (Police Communications Officers, 911 call-taking and dispatch), the largest city's agency.
| Starting salary | $54,756 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $81,048 |
| Scale effective | 2026-07-01 |
Source:[hawaiipublicschools.org]
Pay for this work across Hawaii
Federal survey figures for public safety telecommunicators in Hawaii, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from any one agency's pay scale above.
| People in this work | 170 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $44,350 |
| Median pay | $57,020 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $65,380 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Education: High school diploma or GED
- Hawaii has no statewide minimum age, education or training-hours rule for 911 telecommunicators; the requirements below are the Honolulu Police Department's posted minimums for Police Communications Officer
- State rule (HRS 321-224(a)(10)): the Department of Health establishes standards and provides training for dispatchers in the state system; individuals acting as dispatchers in the State as of July 1, 2022 had to obtain emergency medical dispatch certification by July 1, 2026 and maintain it thereafter
- HPD: one year of work experience involving interaction with others providing information, answering questions and inquiries, or explaining policies, rules and regulations in person or by telephone
- HPD: familiarity with personal computers and Windows-based applications; type accurately at 35 words per minute
- HPD: pass all stages of selection, including background investigation, polygraph, psychological and medical exams
Source:[joinhonolulupd.org]
Hiring process
- Online application (GovernmentJobs)
- Online performance exam (CritiCall-style computer work simulation; confirmatory exam later)
- Personal history statement and fingerprinting
- Background investigation
- Clarification interview
- Polygraph examination
- Psychological examination and interview
- Medical examination
Source:[joinhonolulupd.org]
Required training
Length not published. No state-set initial training hours found. HRS 321-224 requires emergency medical dispatch certification (Department of Health). At HPD, PCO-I call-takers may enter dispatch/radio certification training after the 6-month probation, offered by seniority as dispatch vacancies occur.[data.capitol.hawaii.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Employees' Retirement System of the State of Hawaii (ERS), Hybrid Plan
- Benefit formula: 1.75% × years of service × average final compensation (highest 5 years)
- When you can retire: Membership after June 30, 2012 (general class): normal retirement at age 65 with 10 years or age 60 with 30 years; early retirement (age penalty) at 55 with 20 years; vesting 10 years
- Social Security: yes, you also pay in
Member contribution rate 8.0% for general-class Hybrid members per the state DHRD ERS benefits comparison chart (Dec 2024). City and County of Honolulu employees are ERS members.
Source:[dhrd.hawaii.gov]