United States Air Force - O-9 Lieutenant General
Yearly Base Pay $217,152 - $221,900
|
Monthly Base Pay $18,096.00 - $18,491.70
|
Hourly Base Pay *
$113.10 - $115.57
|
Air Force Lieutenant General - Rank Details

Lieutenant General (Lt Ge)
Classification | General Officer |
---|---|
Abbreviation | Lt Ge |
NATO Code | OF-9 |
Service | United States Air Force |
Address | General (last name) |
What are a Lieutenant General's Responsibilities?
A lieutenant general in the U.S. Air Force is the three-star general officer rank and right above major general. It is equivalent to the rank of vice admiral in the Navy and Coast Guard. Lieutenant generals are highly ranked officers who have been selected by many different parties and individuals.
No more than 25% of all Air Force general officers may have more than two stars. As a result, lieutenant generals are found on very high command positions. Lieutenant generals will typically command a large Numbered Air Force or a MAJCOM. Lieutenant generals may also serve in any of the high-level headquarters including the Pentagon.
Lieutenant generals are career officers who have demonstrated a high aptitude for leadership and management over the span of their careers. They are fully involved with the administrative and operational level of the Air Force.
Like any general, major generals are also expected to participate in morale events and to serve as a “face†for the Air Force. These morale events include but are not limited to: motivational speeches, hosting morale days on base, and squadron/wing visits.
What is a Lieutenant General's Paygrade?
A Lieutenant General is considered a General Officer, with a paygrade of O-9. The civilian equivalent of this military rank is roughly SES Level 3 under the federal government's General Schedule payscale.
On this page you can learn more about a Lieutenant General's payscale, the process of becoming a Lieutenant General, and the history of the rank in the United States Air Force.
Air Force Lieutenant General Pay Calculator
Starting pay for a Lieutenant General is $18,096.00 per month, with raises for experience resulting in a maximum base pay of $18,491.70 per month. You can use the simple calculator below to see basic and drill pay for a Lieutenant General, or visit our Air Force pay calculator for a more detailed salary estimate.
Use the slider below to calculate the basic pay and drill pay for an O-9 Lieutenant General at varying years in his or her military career.
Over 20 years
Over 40 years
Equivalent Ranks to an Air Force Lieutenant General
A Lieutenant General is a General Officer, with a military paygrade of O-9. The civilian equivalent of this military rank is roughly SES Level 3 under the federal government's General Schedule payscale.
The table below lists the equivalent ranks of an Air Force Lieutenant General, and their insignia, in the other four branches of the United States' Armed Services.