GS Pay Calculator Hawaii 2026
Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the Hawaii (Outside Honolulu) locality area. Covers federal employees stationed in Hawaii. Major military installation hub in the Pacific.
Calculate your 2026 federal salary in the Hawaii (Outside Honolulu) locality area. Covers federal employees stationed in Hawaii. Major military installation hub in the Pacific.
The Hawaii (Outside Honolulu) locality rate of 19.15% ranks #36 out of 48 federal pay areas in 2026. This is a below-average locality rate. Federal employees here may find their pay stretches further due to lower cost of living. Rates range from 16.98% (Rest of U.S.) to 45.25% (San Jose, CA). Covers federal employees stationed in Hawaii. Major military installation hub in the Pacific.
Major federal employers in Hawaii include PACOM, Navy (Pearl Harbor), Marine Corps, VA, NPS, USDA. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from Hawaii but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.
Annual salaries for federal employees in the Hawaii locality area, including locality pay adjustment. All figures reflect 2026 OPM rates.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $41,463 | $42,845 | $44,227 | $45,609 | $46,992 | $48,374 | $49,756 | $51,138 | $52,520 | $53,902 |
| GS-7 | $51,361 | $53,073 | $54,785 | $56,497 | $58,210 | $59,922 | $61,634 | $63,346 | $65,058 | $66,770 |
| GS-9 | $62,824 | $64,919 | $67,014 | $69,108 | $71,203 | $73,298 | $75,392 | $77,487 | $79,581 | $81,676 |
| GS-11 | $76,012 | $78,546 | $81,080 | $83,615 | $86,149 | $88,683 | $91,218 | $93,752 | $96,286 | $98,821 |
| GS-12 | $91,106 | $94,143 | $97,180 | $100,217 | $103,254 | $106,291 | $109,328 | $112,366 | $115,403 | $118,440 |
| GS-13 | $108,337 | $111,949 | $115,560 | $119,171 | $122,783 | $126,394 | $130,006 | $133,617 | $137,229 | $140,840 |
| GS-14 | $128,022 | $132,290 | $136,558 | $140,826 | $145,094 | $149,362 | $153,630 | $157,898 | $162,166 | $166,433 |
| GS-15 | $150,587 | $155,606 | $160,626 | $165,646 | $170,666 | $175,685 | $180,705 | $185,725 | $190,745 | $195,765 |
Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the Hawaii (Outside Honolulu) locality area.
About GS Pay
| Position | Hawaii +19.15% | Los Angeles, CA +32.30% | Seattle, WA +27.60% | San Jose, CA +45.25% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-12 Step 1 | $91,106 | $101,161 +$10,055 | $97,567 +$6,461 | $111,063 +$19,957 |
| GS-12 Step 5 | $103,254 | $114,650 +$11,396 | $110,577 +$7,323 | $125,872 +$22,618 |
| GS-13 Step 5 | $122,783 | $136,334 +$13,551 | $131,491 +$8,708 | $149,679 +$26,896 |
| GS-15 Step 10 | $195,765 | $197,200* +$1,435 | $197,200* +$1,435 | $197,200* +$1,435 |
* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026). Differences shown relative to Hawaii.
At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in San Jose, CA earn $22,618 more per year than those in Hawaii, while those in Seattle, WA earn $7,323 more.
Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the Hawaii locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:
| Timeline | Position | Hawaii Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | GS-7 Step 1 | $51,361 |
| Year 3 | GS-9 Step 1 | $62,824 |
| Year 5 | GS-11 Step 1 | $76,012 |
| Year 7 | GS-12 Step 3 | $97,180 |
| Year 12 | GS-13 Step 5 | $122,783 |
| Year 20 | GS-14 Step 10 | $166,433 |
Assumes career-ladder promotions every 2-3 years with satisfactory performance. Actual progression varies by position and agency.
Compare pay across all 49 locality areas.
Calculate your highest 3 consecutive years of pay for retirement.
Estimate your federal pension based on your high-3 salary.
Project your Thrift Savings Plan growth and withdrawals.
Estimate federal severance pay based on years of service.
Understand grades, steps, locality adjustments, and the pay cap.
A GS-12 in the Hawaii (Outside Honolulu) locality area earns between $91,106 (Step 1) and $118,440 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 19.15% locality adjustment applied.
The Hawaii locality pay adjustment is 19.15% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.1915 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $103,254.
Hawaii has a 19.15% locality rate. Nearby areas include Los Angeles, CA (32.30%), Seattle, WA (27.60%), San Jose, CA (45.25%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.
GS salaries in Hawaii are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 19.15% locality, GS-15 Step 10 earns $195,765, which is below the cap.
Major federal employers in the Hawaii area include PACOM, Navy (Pearl Harbor), Marine Corps, VA, NPS, USDA. Covers federal employees stationed in Hawaii. Major military installation hub in the Pacific.
Locality pay is based on where you work (duty station), not where you live. The Federal Salary Council recommends adjustments based on surveys comparing federal and private-sector pay in each area. The Hawaii area at 19.15% reflects the local cost of labor.