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

Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$154,454 GS-15 Step 1 in Hawaii (2026)
$197,200 GS-15 Step 10 in Hawaii (2026)
+$28,070 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2026 GS-15 pay table for Hawaii

Each step below already includes the 22.21% 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 $154,454 $5,940.54 $74.01 +$28,070
Step 2 $159,603 $6,138.58 $76.47 +$29,006
Step 3 $164,751 $6,336.58 $78.94 +$29,941
Step 4 $169,900 $6,534.62 $81.41 +$30,877
Step 5 $175,049 $6,732.65 $83.88 +$31,813
Step 6 $180,197 $6,930.65 $86.34 +$32,748
Step 7 $185,346 $7,128.69 $88.81 +$33,684
Step 8 $190,495 $7,326.73 $91.28 +$34,620
Step 9 $195,644 $7,524.77 $93.74 +$35,556
Step 10 $197,200 $7,584.62 $94.49 +$32,899
← GS-14 Calculate my take-home

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more Hawaii pays

  • Base GS-15 Step 1 $126,384
  • Hawaii GS-15 Step 1 $154,454
  • Locality add-on +$28,070
  • Adjustment percent 22.21%
  • Base GS-15 Step 10 $164,301
  • Hawaii GS-15 Step 10 $197,200

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 2026, the Hawaii pay area adds a 22.21% 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 $5,941 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $7,585. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Other grades in Hawaii

GS-15 in Hawaii questions

  • How much does a GS-15 make in Hawaii?
    In 2026, a GS-15 Step 1 employee in Hawaii earns $154,454 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $197,200. This is 22.21% 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 2026, it is 22.21%. On a GS-15 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $28,070 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 $5,941 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.