How to become a probation and parole officer in Hawaii
The Hawai'i State Judiciary (circuit court probation / Adult Client Services) hires state probation and parole officers under the title Social Worker I (PO/DL) - Judiciary probation officer. New probation and parole officers start at $52,416 a year, rising to $74,652.
Pay
| Starting salary | $52,416 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $74,652 |
| Scale effective | 2026-07-01 |
Bargaining Unit 13 schedule effective July 1, 2026: SR-16 from $4,368/month (Step D) to $74,652 a year (Step M).
Source:[hawaiipublicschools.org]
Pay for this work across Hawaii
Federal survey figures for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in Hawaii, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 40 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $58,300 |
| Median pay | $73,830 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $89,810 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree that included at least 12 semester credit hours in courses such as social work, social welfare, criminal justice, human services, counseling, psychology, sociology, or other related social sciences. Responsible administrative, professional or analytical work experience comparable to four years of college may substitute year-for-year. Applicants may apply within three months before graduation.
- Current, valid driver's license (selective certification requirement)
- PREA hiring restrictions (28 CFR 115.17 etc.) for positions with contact with detainees or inmates
- Most Judiciary social worker positions serve as probation officers supervising clients placed under court jurisdiction
Source:[governmentjobs.com]
Hiring process
- Apply online to the Judiciary civil service recruitment (separate application for each Social Worker level)
- Submit transcripts if using education to qualify
- Civil service examination/qualification review and placement on the eligible list
- Selection; official transcript requested
Source:[governmentjobs.com]
Academy
Length not published. No official source found for a basic training academy for Judiciary probation officers.[courts.state.hi.us]
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
Hybrid Plan applies to general state employees (including Judiciary) who became members after June 30, 2012. No special probation-officer formula found.
Source:[ers.ehawaii.gov]