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Army Ranks to Civilian GS Paygrades

In many situations, when military personnel interact with civilian government employees, it's important to understand how the military rank hierarchy compares to the seniority structure among their civilian counterparts. Military Rank to Civilian equivalency tables are created by each branch of the military. These tables help civilian and military personnel determine proper conduct for social and diplomatic purposes when interacting with each other.

The comparison table below shows how Army ranks compare to civilian General Schedule paygrades in terms of respect and seniority. We have also provided comparitive pay ranges for civilian and military paygrades (based on Military Basic Pay and the civilian General Schedule pay table). Generally, civilian employees are paid more compared to someone they are equal to socially - but military personnel also get additional benefits, which are explained in the footnotes.

Please note that these rank-to-gs mappings can vary. Age, position, and experience level are a huge factor, and are often more significant than grade alone. If you have any feedback concerning this table, please contact us with your suggestions.

Seal of the Army Chart of Army Ranks vs. Civilian General Schedule Equivalents

See military paygrade and the associated Army rank on the left, and equivalent General Schedule paygrade on the right.

Pay Grade Insignia Army Rank Basic Pay Range 1 GS Grade Civilian Pay Range 2
E-1 No Insignia Private $19,199 per year3 GS-1 $21,672 - $27,114 per year
E-2 Insignia of an Army Private Second Class Private Second Class $21,521 per year3 GS-2 $24,367 - $30,671 per year
E-3 Insignia of an Army Private First Class Private First Class $22,630 - $25,510 per year GS-3 $26,587 - $34,561 per year
E-4 Insignia of an Army Specialist Specialist $25,067 - $30,427 per year GS-4 $29,847 - $38,798 per year
E-4 Insignia of an Army Corporal Corporal $25,067 - $30,427 per year GS-4 $29,847 - $38,798 per year
E-5 Insignia of an Army Sergeant Sergeant $27,338 - $38,794 per year GS-5 $33,394 - $43,414 per year
E-6 Insignia of an Army Staff Sergeant Staff Sergeant $29,840 - $46,220 per year GS-5 $33,394 - $43,414 per year
E-7 Insignia of an Army Sergeant First Class Sergeant First Class $34,502 - $62,010 per year GS-6 $37,223 - $48,385 per year
E-8 Insignia of an Army Master Sergeant Master Sergeant $49,633 - $70,787 per year GS-6 $37,223 - $48,385 per year
E-8 Insignia of an Army First Sergeant First Sergeant $49,633 - $70,787 per year GS-6 $37,223 - $48,385 per year
E-9 Insignia of an Army Sergeant Major Sergeant Major $60,631 - $94,136 per year GS-6 $37,223 - $48,385 per year
E-9 Insignia of an Army Command Sergeant Major Command Sergeant Major $60,631 - $94,136 per year GS-6 $37,223 - $48,385 per year
E-9 Insignia of an Army Sergeant Major of the Army Sergeant Major of the Army $60,631 - $94,136 per year GS-6 $37,223 - $48,385 per year
W-1 Insignia of an Army Warrant Officer 1 Warrant Officer 1 $35,597 - $61,510 per year GS-7 $41,365 - $53,773 per year
W-2 Insignia of an Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Chief Warrant Officer 2 $40,554 - $67,687 per year GS-7 $41,365 - $53,773 per year
W-3 Insignia of an Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Chief Warrant Officer 3 $45,828 - $80,392 per year GS-8 $45,810 - $59,557 per year
W-4 Insignia of an Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Chief Warrant Officer 4 $50,184 - $93,478 per year GS-8 $45,810 - $59,557 per year
O-1 Insignia of an Army Second Lieutenant Second Lieutenant $36,418 - $45,824 per year GS-7 $41,365 - $53,773 per year
O-2 Insignia of an Army First Lieutenant First Lieutenant $41,958 - $58,068 per year GS-8 $45,810 - $59,557 per year
O-2 Insignia of an Army First Lieutenant First Lieutenant $41,958 - $58,068 per year GS-9 $50,598 - $65,778 per year
O-3 Insignia of an Army Captain Captain $48,560 - $79,002 per year GS-10 $55,720 - $72,437 per year
O-3 Insignia of an Army Captain Captain $48,560 - $79,002 per year GS-11 $61,218 - $79,586 per year
O-4 Insignia of an Army Major Major $55,231 - $92,218 per year GS-12 $73,375 - $95,388 per year
O-5 Insignia of an Army Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant Colonel $64,012 - $108,752 per year GS-13 $87,252 - $113,428 per year
O-5 Insignia of an Army Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant Colonel $64,012 - $108,752 per year GS-14 $103,106 - $134,038 per year
O-6 Insignia of an Army Colonel Colonel $76,784 - $135,936 per year GS-15 $121,280 - $157,663 per year
O-7 Insignia of an Army Brigadier General Brigadier General $101,257 - $151,283 per year SES Level 5 $153,800 per year
O-8 Insignia of an Army Major General Major General $121,860 - $175,676 per year SES Level 4 $164,200 per year
O-9 Insignia of an Army Lieutenant General Lieutenant General $172,224 - $186,998 per year SES Level 3 $174,500 per year
Pay Range Notes
  1. Military pay displayed in this chart is based on the 2017 military basic pay table. Note that military servicemembers also receive housing and food allowances and/or incentive pay, which are both considerable portions of their overall compensation package.
  2. Civilian pay ranges are based on the current-year 2018 General Schedule pay table, adjusted for the Rest of U.S. pay locality. Civilians who work in an area with a high cost of living, like the San Francisco bay area, earn higher base pay.
  3. E-1 and E-2 are ranks that are generally held for a short amount of time, so there are no pay raises based on years of experience like those available to higher ranks.
    4. View Military Pay
** This Document Provided By www.FederalPay.org - The Civil Employee's Resource **
Source: www.federalpay.org/military/army-ranks-to-gs-grade