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United States Air Force - O-8 Major General

Yearly Base Pay

$153,644 - $221,497

Monthly Base Pay

$12,803.70 - $18,458.10

Hourly Base Pay *

$80.02 - $115.36

Air Force Major General - Rank Details


Major General (Maj G)

Classification General Officer
Abbreviation Maj G
NATO Code OF-8
Service United States Air Force
Address General (last name)
What are a Major General's Responsibilities?

A major general in the U.S. Air Force is the two-star general officer rank and right above brigadier general. It is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the Navy and Coast Guard. Major generals are highly ranked officers who have been selected by many different parties and individuals.

Major generals can serve in a variety of high-level command positions that include but are not limited to: Number Air Force commanders, joint force commanders, air operations centers, training programs, or logistics operations centers. They may also be senior directors on joint staffs or the vice commander to a lieutenant general. Ultimately, major generals may have around 10,000 airmen under their command.

Major 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 a brigadier 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 Major General's Paygrade?

A Major General is considered a General Officer, with a paygrade of O-8. The civilian equivalent of this military rank is roughly SES Level 4 under the federal government's General Schedule payscale.

On this page you can learn more about a Major General's payscale, the process of becoming a Major General, and the history of the rank in the United States Air Force.

Seal of the Air Force Air Force Major General Pay Calculator

Starting pay for a Major General is $12,803.70 per month, with raises for experience resulting in a maximum base pay of $18,458.10 per month. You can use the simple calculator below to see basic and drill pay for a Major General, or visit our Air Force pay calculator for a more detailed salary estimate.


Basic Pay:

Drill Pay:

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For an O-8 Major General with
years of experience.

Use the slider below to calculate the basic pay and drill pay for an O-8 Major General at varying years in his or her military career.

2 or less years

Over 40 years


Equivalent Ranks to an Air Force Major General

A Major General is a General Officer, with a military paygrade of O-8. The civilian equivalent of this military rank is roughly SES Level 4 under the federal government's General Schedule payscale.

The table below lists the equivalent ranks of an Air Force Major General, and their insignia, in the other four branches of the United States' Armed Services.


** This Document Provided By www.FederalPay.org - The Civil Employee's Resource **
Source: www.federalpay.org/military/air-force/major-general