How to become a corrections officer in Hawaii
The Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation hires state corrections officers under the title Adult Corrections Officer Recruit (reallocated to Adult Corrections Officer III). New officers start at $69,024 a year, rising to $74,736 after about 1 years.
Pay
| Starting salary | $69,024 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $74,736 |
| Years to top | 1 |
| Scale effective | 2026-07-01 |
Hawaii BU 10 CO schedule is a single flat rate per range (Step A only). Recruit = CO-04 ($5,752/mo); after a 9-month probation AND 12 months of active work the recruit is reallocated to ACO III = CO-06 ($6,228/mo). DCR's recruiting page still shows older rates ($5,355 / $5,798 per month). Scheduled rates: FY2027 and FY2028 schedules also published (CO-04 rises each July).
Source:[dhrd.hawaii.gov]
Requirements
- Education: High school diploma or GED, plus one year of general experience relating effectively with people (two academic years of college can substitute)
- Valid driver's license
- Must meet federal and state firearms regulations and be qualified for firearm use and access (including being drug free)
- Must be eligible to work in the U.S.
Source:[dcr.hawaii.gov]
Hiring process
- Online application
- Written test (may be waived with a 2-year degree or higher)
- COPAT physical abilities test
- Oral interview
- Pre-offer psychological exam
- Conditional offer
- Background investigation
- Post-offer psychological exam
- Truth verification exam
- Psychological interview
- Medical exam, TB test and drug test (applicant-paid)
- Onboarding
- Basic Corrections Recruit Class
Source:[dcr.hawaii.gov]
Entrance exam
ACO written test + Correctional Officer Physical Abilities Test (COPAT). COPAT must be completed in 3 minutes 45 seconds or less.[dcr.hawaii.gov]
Academy
10 weeks, paid. Basic Corrections Recruit Class (BCRC) is 10 weeks per the hiring phases (page elsewhere says about eight weeks); it is part of the recruit's probationary employment. Neighbor-island recruits get hotel lodging, meal per diem and travel at department expense.[dcr.hawaii.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Employees' Retirement System of the State of Hawaii (ERS), Hybrid Plan
- Benefit formula: 1.75% × years of credited service × AFC (average of 5 highest years of base pay)
- When you can retire: Membership after June 30, 2012: normal retirement age 65 with 10 years, or age 60 with 30 years; early (reduced) retirement age 55 with 20 years; vesting 10 years
- Social Security: yes, you also pay in
DCR says ACO new hires are in the Hybrid Plan. The ERS 2.5%/2.25% 'designated category' formula applies only to adult corrections officers employed before July 1, 1984, so it does not apply to new hires.
Source:[ers.ehawaii.gov]
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-23. Pay plans change; confirm with the employer before applying.