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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 2017 Pay Range
E-1 No Insignia Airman Basic AB Enlisted Airman $1,600 per month
E-2 Insignia of an Air Force Airman Airman Amn Enlisted Airman $1,793 per month
E-3 Insignia of an Air Force Airman First Class Airman First Class A1C Enlisted Airman $22,630 - $25,510 per year
E-4 Insignia of an Air Force Senior Airman Senior Airman SrA Enlisted Airman $25,067 - $30,427 per year
E-5 Insignia of an Air Force Staff Sergeant Staff Sergeant SSgt Noncommissioned Officer $27,338 - $38,794 per year
E-6 Insignia of an Air Force Technical Sergeant Technical Sergeant TSgt Noncommissioned Officer $29,840 - $46,220 per year
E-7 Insignia of an Air Force Master Sergeant Master Sergeant MSgt Noncommissioned Officer $34,502 - $62,010 per year
E-8 Insignia of an Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Senior Master Sergeant SMSgt Noncommissioned Officer $49,633 - $70,787 per year
E-9 Insignia of an Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Chief Master Sergeant CMSgt Noncommissioned Officer $60,631 - $94,136 per year
E-9 Insignia of an Air Force Command Chief Master Sergeant Command Chief Master Sergeant CCM Noncommissioned Officer $60,631 - $94,136 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) $60,631 - $94,136 per year
O-1 Insignia of an Air Force Second Lieutenant Second Lieutenant 2d Lt Commissioned Officer $36,418 - $45,824 per year
O-2 Insignia of an Air Force First Lieutenant First Lieutenant 1st L Commissioned Officer $41,958 - $58,068 per year
O-3 Insignia of an Air Force Captain Captain Capt Commissioned Officer $48,560 - $79,002 per year
O-4 Insignia of an Air Force Major Major Maj Field Officer $55,231 - $92,218 per year
O-5 Insignia of an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Lt Co Field Officer $64,012 - $108,752 per year
O-6 Insignia of an Air Force Colonel Colonel Col Field Officer $76,784 - $135,936 per year
O-7 Insignia of an Air Force Brigadier General Brigadier General Brig General Officer $101,257 - $151,283 per year
O-8 Insignia of an Air Force Major General Major General Maj G General Officer $121,860 - $175,676 per year
O-9 Insignia of an Air Force Lieutenant General Lieutenant General Lt Ge General Officer $172,224 - $186,998 per year
O-10 Insignia of an Air Force General General Gen General Officer $15,583 per month
O-10 Insignia of an Air Force General of the Air Force General of the Air Force GAF General Officer $15,583 per month
To see how Air Force ranks compare to civilian employees, see our Air Force ranks to GS grades comparison table.
All Air Force Ranks
** This Document Provided By www.FederalPay.org - The Civil Employee's Resource **
Source: www.federalpay.org/military/air-force/ranks