FederalPay.org
FederalPay.org
United States Air Force - O-4 Major
|
Yearly Base Pay $69,638 - $116,269
|
Monthly Base Pay $5,803.20 - $9,689.10
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Hourly Base Pay *
$36.27 - $60.56
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Air Force Major - Rank Details
Major (Maj)
| Classification | Field Officer |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Maj |
| NATO Code | OF-4 |
| Service | United States Air Force |
| Address | Major (last name) |
What are a Major's Responsibilities?
A major in the U.S. Air Force is the lowest field grade officer rank. It is the fourth lowest officer rank and is equivalent to the rank of lieutenant commander in the Navy and Coast Guard. Majors, unlike captains, typically signify a change in duties and responsibilities within a unit.
Upon promotion from captain to major, an officer is expected to become more involved on the administrative side of the squadron and wing level. Majors will have typically duties as a senior staff officer in the unit and will work directly for a commander. Majors in flying units may also be flight commanders or director of operations (DO). In non-flying units such as maintenance or logistics, majors can also be squadron commanders. There are a couple of non-conventional jobs for majors as well. For units such as NORAD or the Pentagon, where the average rank is considerably higher than a typical squadron, majors may find themselves at the bottom of the officer corps. In these instances, a major may find him or herself fulfilling roles similar to a lieutenant.
Majors are expected to be the senior leaders that young lieutenants and captains can rely on for guidance and instruction. They are more involved with staff roles and functions. Many majors will also serve as an intermediary between the young officers and the upper brass. Majors are also expected to be working towards a masters degree or higher.
What is a Major's Paygrade?
A Major is considered a Field Officer, with a paygrade of O-4. The civilian equivalent of this military rank is roughly GS-12 under the federal government's General Schedule payscale.
On this page you can learn more about a Major's payscale, the process of becoming a Major, and the history of the rank in the United States Air Force.
Air Force Major Pay Calculator
Starting pay for a Major is $5,803.20 per month, with raises for experience resulting in a maximum base pay of $9,689.10 per month. You can use the simple calculator below to see basic and drill pay for a Major, 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-4 Major at varying years in his or her military career.
2 or less years
Over 40 years
Equivalent Ranks to an Air Force Major
A Major is a Field Officer, with a military paygrade of O-4. The civilian equivalent of this military rank is roughly GS-12 under the federal government's General Schedule payscale.
The table below lists the equivalent ranks of an Air Force Major, and their insignia, in the other four branches of the United States' Armed Services.
