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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$124,497 GS-15 Step 1 in Hawaii (2018)
$161,845 GS-15 Step 10 in Hawaii (2018)
+$19,374 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2018 GS-15 pay table for Hawaii

Each step below already includes the 18.43% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-15 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $124,497 $4,788.35 $59.65 +$19,374
Step 2 $128,647 $4,947.96 $61.64 +$20,020
Step 3 $132,797 $5,107.58 $63.63 +$20,666
Step 4 $136,947 $5,267.19 $65.62 +$21,312
Step 5 $141,096 $5,426.77 $67.61 +$21,957
Step 6 $145,246 $5,586.38 $69.60 +$22,603
Step 7 $149,396 $5,746.00 $71.58 +$23,249
Step 8 $153,546 $5,905.62 $73.57 +$23,895
Step 9 $157,695 $6,065.19 $75.56 +$24,540
Step 10 $161,845 $6,224.81 $77.55 +$25,186
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Hawaii pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $105,123
  • Hawaii GS-15 Step 1 $124,497
  • Locality add-on +$19,374
  • Adjustment percent 18.43%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $136,659
  • Hawaii GS-15 Step 10 $161,845

Step-increase waiting periods

  • Step 1 → Step 2 52 weeks
  • Step 2 → Step 3 52 weeks
  • Step 3 → Step 4 52 weeks
  • Step 4 → Step 5 104 weeks
  • Step 5 → Step 6 104 weeks
  • Step 6 → Step 7 104 weeks
  • Step 7 → Step 8 156 weeks
  • Step 8 → Step 9 156 weeks
  • Step 9 → Step 10 156 weeks

GS-15 in Hawaii: what to expect

Senior executives just below the Senior Executive Service. Division directors, senior scientists and agency experts typically top out at GS-15.

For 2018, the Hawaii pay area adds a 18.43% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-15 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. One year of specialized experience at the GS-14 level, plus demonstrated leadership.

Promotion path. Further advancement requires selection into the Senior Executive Service (SES).

The rough military equivalent for GS-15 is O-6 Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-15 in Hawaii

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Hawaii earns roughly $4,788 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,225. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2018 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-15 Hawaii page.

Other grades in Hawaii

GS-15 in Hawaii questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Hawaii?
    In 2018, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Hawaii earns $124,497 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $161,845. This is 18.43% higher than the base GS-15 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-15 in Hawaii?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Hawaii in 2018, it is 18.43%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $19,374 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-15 in Hawaii?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-15 Step 1 employee in Hawaii earns roughly $4,788 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.