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 | 2022 Pay Range |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
E-1 | No Insignia | Airman Basic | AB | Enlisted Airman | $1,833 per month |
E-2 |
![]() |
Airman | Amn | Enlisted Airman | $2,055 per month |
E-3 |
![]() |
Airman First Class | A1C | Enlisted Airman | $25,927 - $29,228 per year |
E-4 |
![]() |
Senior Airman | SrA | Enlisted Airman | $28,721 - $34,866 per year |
E-5 |
![]() |
Staff Sergeant | SSgt | Noncommissioned Officer | $31,324 - $44,453 per year |
E-6 |
![]() |
Technical Sergeant | TSgt | Noncommissioned Officer | $34,193 - $52,960 per year |
E-7 |
![]() |
Master Sergeant | MSgt | Noncommissioned Officer | $39,532 - $71,053 per year |
E-8 |
![]() |
Senior Master Sergeant | SMSgt | Noncommissioned Officer | $56,869 - $81,108 per year |
E-9 |
![]() |
Chief Master Sergeant | CMSgt | Noncommissioned Officer | $69,469 - $107,867 per year |
E-9 |
![]() |
Command Chief Master Sergeant | CCM | Noncommissioned Officer | $69,469 - $107,867 per year |
E-9 |
![]() |
Chief Master Sergeant Of The Air Force | CMSAF | Noncommissioned Officer (Special) | $69,469 - $107,867 per year |
O-1 |
![]() |
Second Lieutenant | 2d Lt | Commissioned Officer | $41,728 - $52,506 per year |
O-2 |
![]() |
First Lieutenant | 1st L | Commissioned Officer | $48,078 - $66,532 per year |
O-3 |
![]() |
Captain | Capt | Commissioned Officer | $55,638 - $90,522 per year |
O-4 |
![]() |
Major | Maj | Field Officer | $63,284 - $105,664 per year |
O-5 |
![]() |
Lieutenant Colonel | Lt Co | Field Officer | $73,346 - $124,610 per year |
O-6 |
![]() |
Colonel | Col | Field Officer | $87,984 - $155,754 per year |
O-7 |
![]() |
Brigadier General | Brig | General Officer | $116,021 - $173,347 per year |
O-8 |
![]() |
Major General | Maj G | General Officer | $139,626 - $201,290 per year |
O-9 |
![]() |
Lieutenant General | Lt Ge | General Officer | $197,338 - $203,699 per year |
O-10 |
![]() |
General | Gen | General Officer | $16,975 per month |
O-10 |
![]() |
General of the Air Force | GAF | General Officer | $16,975 per month |
To see how Air Force ranks compare to civilian employees, see our Air Force ranks to GS grades comparison table.