Compensation Schedule
GA compensation adheres to the schedule below (based on 0.50 FTE per year) approved by the UH Board of Regents. Newly appointed GAs are compensated at a pay step recommended by the department or unit of hire. GAs with research duties are usually appointed at pay steps depending on their qualifications and experiences, the needs of their departments or units, and the availability of funds. After two semesters of satisfactory service, GAs may receive a step increase.
These steps are for graduate assistants enrolled in UH Manoa graduate programs where UH Manoa is the academic home campus.
| Step | 9-Month Appointment | 11-Month Appointment |
| 1 | $14,382 | $16,830 |
| 2 | $14,958 | $17,502 |
| 3 | $15,558 | $18,204 |
| 4 | $16,182 | $18,930 |
| 5 | $16,830 | $19,686 |
| 6 | $17,502 | $20,472 |
| 7 | $18,204 | $21,288 |
| 8 | $18,930 | $22,140 |
| 9 | $19,686 | $23,028 |
| 10 | $20,472 | $23,952 |
| 11 | $21,288 | $24,912 |
| 12 | $22,140 | $25,908 |
| 13 | $23,028 | $26,946 |
| 14 | $23,952 | $28,026 |
| 15 | $24,912 | $29,148 |
| 16 | $25,908 | $30,312 |
| 17 | $26,946 | $31,524 |
| 18 | $28,026 | $32,784 |
| 19 | $29,148 | $34,098 |
| 20 | $30,312 | $35,460 |
| 21 | $31,524 | $36,878 |
| 22 | $32,785 | $38,353 |
| 23 | $34,096 | $39,877 |
| 24 | $35,460 | $41,482 |
| 25 | $36,878 | $43,141 |
| 26 | $38,353 | $44,867 |
| 27 | $39,887 | $46,662 |
| 28 | $41,482 | $48,528 |
| 29 | $43,141 | $50,469 |
| 30 | $44,867 | $52,488 |
These minimum steps are applicable for any graduate assistant enrolled in a UH Mānoa program regardless of employing unit within the UH System.
- Effective August 1, 2022, Step 9 ($19,686 for 9 months and $23,028 for 11 months)
- Effective August 1, 2023, Step 12 ($22,140 for 9 months and $25,908 for 11 months)
- Effective August 1, 2024, Step 13 ($23,028 for 9 months and $26,946 for 11 months)
Tax Withholding
For both types of appointment, the annual compensation is paid out in bi-monthly installments over a period of 12 months, and subject to both federal and state income tax withholding. GAs who are full-time students are exempt from the FICA tax. GAs who work during the summer without maintaining their full-time student status are subject to the PTS Deferred Compensation tax (7.5 percent of gross pay) and the Medicare tax (1.45 percent of gross pay).