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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.

Seal of the Air Force Air Force Ranks - Enlisted and Officer, from Lowest to Highest

Pay Grade Insignia Rank Abbreviation Classification 2024 Pay Range
E-1 No Insignia Airman Basic AB Enlisted Airman $2,017 per month
E-2 Insignia of an Air Force Airman Airman Amn Enlisted Airman $27,133 - $27,385 per year
E-3 Insignia of an Air Force Airman First Class Airman First Class A1C Enlisted Airman $28,530 - $32,162 per year
E-4 Insignia of an Air Force Senior Airman Senior Airman SrA Enlisted Airman $31,604 - $38,369 per year
E-5 Insignia of an Air Force Staff Sergeant Staff Sergeant SSgt Noncommissioned Officer $34,466 - $48,917 per year
E-6 Insignia of an Air Force Technical Sergeant Technical Sergeant TSgt Noncommissioned Officer $37,627 - $58,277 per year
E-7 Insignia of an Air Force Master Sergeant Master Sergeant MSgt Noncommissioned Officer $43,499 - $78,188 per year
E-8 Insignia of an Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Senior Master Sergeant SMSgt Noncommissioned Officer $62,579 - $89,248 per year
E-9 Insignia of an Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Chief Master Sergeant CMSgt Noncommissioned Officer $76,446 - $118,696 per year
E-9 Insignia of an Air Force Command Chief Master Sergeant Command Chief Master Sergeant CCM Noncommissioned Officer $76,446 - $118,696 per year
E-9 Insignia of an Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Of The Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Of The Air Force CMSAF Noncommissioned Officer (Special) $76,446 - $118,696 per year
O-1 Insignia of an Air Force Second Lieutenant Second Lieutenant 2d Lt Commissioned Officer $45,914 - $57,776 per year
O-2 Insignia of an Air Force First Lieutenant First Lieutenant 1st L Commissioned Officer $52,902 - $73,210 per year
O-3 Insignia of an Air Force Captain Captain Capt Commissioned Officer $61,225 - $99,612 per year
O-4 Insignia of an Air Force Major Major Maj Field Officer $69,638 - $116,269 per year
O-5 Insignia of an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Lt Co Field Officer $80,708 - $137,120 per year
O-6 Insignia of an Air Force Colonel Colonel Col Field Officer $96,815 - $171,389 per year
O-7 Insignia of an Air Force Brigadier General Brigadier General Brig General Officer $127,667 - $190,750 per year
O-8 Insignia of an Air Force Major General Major General Maj G General Officer $153,644 - $221,497 per year
O-9 Insignia of an Air Force Lieutenant General Lieutenant General Lt Ge General Officer $217,152 - $221,900 per year
O-10 Insignia of an Air Force General General Gen General Officer $18,492 per month
O-10 Insignia of an Air Force General of the Air Force General of the Air Force GAF General Officer $18,492 per month
To see how Air Force ranks compare to civilian employees, see our Air Force ranks to GS grades comparison table.

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