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United States Air Force - E-8 Senior Master Sergeant

Yearly Base Pay

$62,579 - $89,248

Monthly Base Pay

$5,214.90 - $7,437.30

Hourly Base Pay *

$32.59 - $46.48

Air Force Senior Master Sergeant - Rank Details


Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt)

Classification Noncommissioned Officer
Abbreviation SMSgt
NATO Code OR-8
Service United States Air Force
Address Sergeant (last name)
What are a Senior Master Sergeant's Responsibilities?

A senior master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force is the second senior non-commissioned officer rank and directly above master sergeant. It is equivalent to the rank of master sergeant in the Army/Marines, and senior chief petty officer in the Navy/Coast Guard. Senior master sergeants are very experienced operational leaders in any unit.

Senior master sergeants are typically superintendents and mentors to junior NCOs and junior officers. They should be very experienced leaders and managers assigned to high-level units in the Air Force. Many senior master sergeants will also find themselves in staff functions assigned to a high-ranking officer. In units with a large number of enlisted personnel, senior master sergeants are ultimately responsible for their training and work.

Senior master sergeants may also serve as a first sergeant or “shirt.” The duties in this capacity are more focused on the overall wellbeing of the enlisted members of a unit.

Senior master sergeants should also be completing coursework en-route to a bachelor's degree. However, many senior master sergeants will have already completed his or her degree. Some may also have a post-baccalaureate education as well. In addition, senior master sergeants should be participating in activities that will further develop his or her skills, leadership, and intellectual abilities.

What is a Senior Master Sergeant's Paygrade?

A Senior Master Sergeant is considered a Noncommissioned Officer, with a paygrade of E-8. The civilian equivalent of this military rank is roughly GS-6 under the federal government's General Schedule payscale.

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

Seal of the Air Force Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Pay Calculator

Starting pay for a Senior Master Sergeant is $5,214.90 per month, with raises for experience resulting in a maximum base pay of $7,437.30 per month. You can use the simple calculator below to see basic and drill pay for a Senior Master Sergeant, or visit our Air Force pay calculator for a more detailed salary estimate.


Basic Pay:

Drill Pay:

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For an E-8 Senior Master Sergeant with
years of experience.

Use the slider below to calculate the basic pay and drill pay for an E-8 Senior Master Sergeant at varying years in his or her military career.

Over 8 years

Over 40 years


Equivalent Ranks to an Air Force Senior Master Sergeant

A Senior Master Sergeant is a Noncommissioned Officer, with a military paygrade of E-8. The civilian equivalent of this military rank is roughly GS-6 under the federal government's General Schedule payscale.

The table below lists the equivalent ranks of an Air Force Senior Master Sergeant, 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/senior-master-sergeant