An independent federal pay resource. Not affiliated with OPM or any U.S. government agency.

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$130,758 GS-15 Step 1 in Hawaii (2020)
$169,990 GS-15 Step 10 in Hawaii (2020)
+$21,392 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2020 GS-15 pay table for Hawaii

Each step below already includes the 19.56% 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 $130,758 $5,029.15 $62.65 +$21,392
Step 2 $135,117 $5,196.81 $64.74 +$22,105
Step 3 $139,476 $5,364.46 $66.83 +$22,818
Step 4 $143,835 $5,532.12 $68.92 +$23,531
Step 5 $148,195 $5,699.81 $71.01 +$24,245
Step 6 $152,554 $5,867.46 $73.10 +$24,958
Step 7 $156,913 $6,035.12 $75.19 +$25,671
Step 8 $161,272 $6,202.77 $77.27 +$26,384
Step 9 $165,631 $6,370.42 $79.36 +$27,097
Step 10 $169,990 $6,538.08 $81.45 +$27,810
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Hawaii pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $109,366
  • Hawaii GS-15 Step 1 $130,758
  • Locality add-on +$21,392
  • Adjustment percent 19.56%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $142,180
  • Hawaii GS-15 Step 10 $169,990

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 2020, the Hawaii pay area adds a 19.56% 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 $5,029 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $6,538. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2020 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 2020, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Hawaii earns $130,758 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $169,990. This is 19.56% 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 2020, it is 19.56%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $21,392 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 $5,029 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.