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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$79,901 GS-12 Step 1 in Hawaii (2021)
$103,875 GS-12 Step 10 in Hawaii (2021)
+$13,072 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2021 GS-12 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-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $79,901 $3,073.12 $38.29 +$13,072
Step 2 $82,565 $3,175.58 $39.56 +$13,508
Step 3 $85,228 $3,278.00 $40.84 +$13,943
Step 4 $87,892 $3,380.46 $42.11 +$14,379
Step 5 $90,556 $3,482.92 $43.39 +$14,815
Step 6 $93,220 $3,585.38 $44.67 +$15,251
Step 7 $95,884 $3,687.85 $45.94 +$15,687
Step 8 $98,547 $3,790.27 $47.22 +$16,122
Step 9 $101,211 $3,892.73 $48.50 +$16,558
Step 10 $103,875 $3,995.19 $49.77 +$16,994

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Hawaii pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $66,829
  • Hawaii GS-12 Step 1 $79,901
  • Locality add-on +$13,072
  • Adjustment percent 19.56%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $86,881
  • Hawaii GS-12 Step 10 $103,875

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-12 in Hawaii: what to expect

Experienced professionals and working-level experts. This is the most common GS grade for mid-career federal employees. Many policy, acquisition, engineering and scientific specialists sit at GS-12.

For 2021, the Hawaii pay area adds a 19.56% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-12 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-11 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-13 requires a GS-13 vacancy and selection on merit.

The rough military equivalent for GS-12 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-12 in Hawaii

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Hawaii earns roughly $3,073 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,995. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2021 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-12 Hawaii page.

Other grades in Hawaii

GS-12 in Hawaii questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in Hawaii?
    In 2021, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in Hawaii earns $79,901 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $103,875. This is 19.56% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in Hawaii?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For Hawaii in 2021, it is 19.56%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $13,072 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in Hawaii?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in Hawaii earns roughly $3,073 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.