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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 $24,206 per year3 GS-1 $26,175 - $32,742 per year
E-2 Insignia of an Army Private Second Class Private Second Class $27,133 - $27,385 per year GS-2 $29,431 - $37,035 per year
E-3 Insignia of an Army Private First Class Private First Class $28,530 - $32,162 per year GS-3 $32,114 - $41,744 per year
E-4 Insignia of an Army Specialist Specialist $31,604 - $38,369 per year GS-4 $36,049 - $46,868 per year
E-4 Insignia of an Army Corporal Corporal $31,604 - $38,369 per year GS-4 $36,049 - $46,868 per year
E-5 Insignia of an Army Sergeant Sergeant $34,466 - $48,917 per year GS-5 $40,332 - $52,426 per year
E-6 Insignia of an Army Staff Sergeant Staff Sergeant $37,627 - $58,277 per year GS-5 $40,332 - $52,426 per year
E-7 Insignia of an Army Sergeant First Class Sergeant First Class $43,499 - $78,188 per year GS-6 $44,959 - $58,445 per year
E-8 Insignia of an Army Master Sergeant Master Sergeant $62,579 - $89,248 per year GS-6 $44,959 - $58,445 per year
E-8 Insignia of an Army First Sergeant First Sergeant $62,579 - $89,248 per year GS-6 $44,959 - $58,445 per year
E-9 Insignia of an Army Sergeant Major Sergeant Major $76,446 - $118,696 per year GS-6 $44,959 - $58,445 per year
E-9 Insignia of an Army Command Sergeant Major Command Sergeant Major $76,446 - $118,696 per year GS-6 $44,959 - $58,445 per year
E-9 Insignia of an Army Sergeant Major of the Army Sergeant Major of the Army $76,446 - $118,696 per year GS-6 $44,959 - $58,445 per year
W-1 Insignia of an Army Warrant Officer 1 Warrant Officer 1 $44,878 - $77,555 per year GS-7 $49,960 - $64,952 per year
W-2 Insignia of an Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Chief Warrant Officer 2 $51,131 - $85,342 per year GS-7 $49,960 - $64,952 per year
W-3 Insignia of an Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Chief Warrant Officer 3 $57,787 - $101,365 per year GS-8 $55,328 - $71,932 per year
W-4 Insignia of an Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Chief Warrant Officer 4 $63,277 - $117,860 per year GS-8 $55,328 - $71,932 per year
W-5 Insignia of an Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Chief Warrant Officer 5 $112,507 - $147,229 per year GS-8 $55,328 - $71,932 per year
O-1 Insignia of an Army Second Lieutenant Second Lieutenant $45,914 - $57,776 per year GS-7 $49,960 - $64,952 per year
O-2 Insignia of an Army First Lieutenant First Lieutenant $52,902 - $73,210 per year GS-8 $55,328 - $71,932 per year
O-2 Insignia of an Army First Lieutenant First Lieutenant $52,902 - $73,210 per year GS-9 $61,111 - $79,443 per year
O-3 Insignia of an Army Captain Captain $61,225 - $99,612 per year GS-10 $67,297 - $87,482 per year
O-3 Insignia of an Army Captain Captain $61,225 - $99,612 per year GS-11 $73,939 - $96,116 per year
O-4 Insignia of an Army Major Major $69,638 - $116,269 per year GS-12 $88,621 - $115,213 per year
O-5 Insignia of an Army Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant Colonel $80,708 - $137,120 per year GS-13 $105,383 - $137,000 per year
O-5 Insignia of an Army Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant Colonel $80,708 - $137,120 per year GS-14 $124,531 - $161,889 per year
O-6 Insignia of an Army Colonel Colonel $96,815 - $171,389 per year GS-15 $146,481 - $190,424 per year
O-7 Insignia of an Army Brigadier General Brigadier General $127,667 - $190,750 per year SES Level 5 $183,100 per year
O-8 Insignia of an Army Major General Major General $153,644 - $221,497 per year SES Level 4 $195,200 per year
O-9 Insignia of an Army Lieutenant General Lieutenant General $217,152 - $221,900 per year SES Level 3 $207,500 per year
O-10 Insignia of an Army General General $221,900 per year3 SES Levels 1 & 2 $183,100 per year
O-10 Insignia of an Army General of the Army General of the Army $221,900 per year3 SES Levels 1 & 2 $183,100 per year
Pay Range Notes
  1. Military pay displayed in this chart is based on the 2024 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 2025 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