U.S. Air Force: List of Ranks, Insignia, and Pay Range
An enlisted member enters the Air Force as an Airman Basic. After completing basic training, the enlisted recuits advances to Airman First Class. The next notable advancement is to a Noncommissioned Officer.
The highest rank attainable in the Air Force is the five-star General of the Air Force. In 1944, Congress created the rank General of the Air Force. The only person to hold this rank was Henry H. Arnold.
The table below lists all the standard ranks in the U.S. Air Force and their respective pay grades, insignias, abbreviations, and classifications. Click any rank to view detailed information about that rank's duties, pay, promotions, and more.
Air Force Ranks - Enlisted and Officer, from Lowest to Highest
Pay Grade | Insignia | Rank | Abbreviation | Classification | 2023 Pay Range |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
E-1 | No Insignia | Airman Basic | AB | Enlisted Airman | $1,918 per month |
E-2 |
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Airman | Amn | Enlisted Airman | $2,149 per month |
E-3 |
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Airman First Class | A1C | Enlisted Airman | $27,119 - $30,571 per year |
E-4 |
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Senior Airman | SrA | Enlisted Airman | $30,042 - $36,472 per year |
E-5 |
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Staff Sergeant | SSgt | Noncommissioned Officer | $32,764 - $46,498 per year |
E-6 |
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Technical Sergeant | TSgt | Noncommissioned Officer | $35,766 - $55,397 per year |
E-7 |
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Master Sergeant | MSgt | Noncommissioned Officer | $41,350 - $74,322 per year |
E-8 |
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Senior Master Sergeant | SMSgt | Noncommissioned Officer | $59,486 - $84,838 per year |
E-9 |
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Chief Master Sergeant | CMSgt | Noncommissioned Officer | $72,666 - $112,828 per year |
E-9 |
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Command Chief Master Sergeant | CCM | Noncommissioned Officer | $72,666 - $112,828 per year |
E-9 |
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Chief Master Sergeant Of The Air Force | CMSAF | Noncommissioned Officer (Special) | $72,666 - $112,828 per year |
O-1 |
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Second Lieutenant | 2d Lt | Commissioned Officer | $43,646 - $54,922 per year |
O-2 |
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First Lieutenant | 1st L | Commissioned Officer | $50,288 - $69,592 per year |
O-3 |
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Captain | Capt | Commissioned Officer | $58,198 - $94,687 per year |
O-4 |
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Major | Maj | Field Officer | $66,197 - $110,524 per year |
O-5 |
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Lieutenant Colonel | Lt Co | Field Officer | $76,720 - $130,342 per year |
O-6 |
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Colonel | Col | Field Officer | $92,030 - $162,918 per year |
O-7 |
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Brigadier General | Brig | General Officer | $121,356 - $181,321 per year |
O-8 |
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Major General | Maj G | General Officer | $146,048 - $210,550 per year |
O-9 |
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Lieutenant General | Lt Ge | General Officer | $206,417 - $212,101 per year |
O-10 |
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General | Gen | General Officer | $17,675 per month |
O-10 |
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General of the Air Force | GAF | General Officer | $17,675 per month |
To see how Air Force ranks compare to civilian employees, see our Air Force ranks to GS grades comparison table.