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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 $23,011 per year3 GS-1 $24,464 - $30,608 per year
E-2 Insignia of an Army Private Second Class Private Second Class $25,790 per year3 GS-2 $27,508 - $34,619 per year
E-3 Insignia of an Army Private First Class Private First Class $27,119 - $30,571 per year GS-3 $30,015 - $39,022 per year
E-4 Insignia of an Army Specialist Specialist $30,042 - $36,472 per year GS-4 $33,693 - $43,801 per year
E-4 Insignia of an Army Corporal Corporal $30,042 - $36,472 per year GS-4 $33,693 - $43,801 per year
E-5 Insignia of an Army Sergeant Sergeant $32,764 - $46,498 per year GS-5 $37,696 - $49,009 per year
E-6 Insignia of an Army Staff Sergeant Staff Sergeant $35,766 - $55,397 per year GS-5 $37,696 - $49,009 per year
E-7 Insignia of an Army Sergeant First Class Sergeant First Class $41,350 - $74,322 per year GS-6 $42,022 - $54,625 per year
E-8 Insignia of an Army Master Sergeant Master Sergeant $59,486 - $84,838 per year GS-6 $42,022 - $54,625 per year
E-8 Insignia of an Army First Sergeant First Sergeant $59,486 - $84,838 per year GS-6 $42,022 - $54,625 per year
E-9 Insignia of an Army Sergeant Major Sergeant Major $72,666 - $112,828 per year GS-6 $42,022 - $54,625 per year
E-9 Insignia of an Army Command Sergeant Major Command Sergeant Major $72,666 - $112,828 per year GS-6 $42,022 - $54,625 per year
E-9 Insignia of an Army Sergeant Major of the Army Sergeant Major of the Army $72,666 - $112,828 per year GS-6 $42,022 - $54,625 per year
W-1 Insignia of an Army Warrant Officer 1 Warrant Officer 1 $42,660 - $73,721 per year GS-7 $46,696 - $60,703 per year
W-2 Insignia of an Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Chief Warrant Officer 2 $48,604 - $81,122 per year GS-7 $46,696 - $60,703 per year
W-3 Insignia of an Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Chief Warrant Officer 3 $54,932 - $96,354 per year GS-8 $51,713 - $67,231 per year
W-4 Insignia of an Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Chief Warrant Officer 4 $60,149 - $112,036 per year GS-8 $51,713 - $67,231 per year
W-5 Insignia of an Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Chief Warrant Officer 5 $106,945 - $139,950 per year GS-8 $51,713 - $67,231 per year
O-1 Insignia of an Army Second Lieutenant Second Lieutenant $43,646 - $54,922 per year GS-7 $46,696 - $60,703 per year
O-2 Insignia of an Army First Lieutenant First Lieutenant $50,288 - $69,592 per year GS-8 $51,713 - $67,231 per year
O-2 Insignia of an Army First Lieutenant First Lieutenant $50,288 - $69,592 per year GS-9 $57,118 - $74,250 per year
O-3 Insignia of an Army Captain Captain $58,198 - $94,687 per year GS-10 $62,898 - $81,771 per year
O-3 Insignia of an Army Captain Captain $58,198 - $94,687 per year GS-11 $69,107 - $89,835 per year
O-4 Insignia of an Army Major Major $66,197 - $110,524 per year GS-12 $82,830 - $107,680 per year
O-5 Insignia of an Army Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant Colonel $76,720 - $130,342 per year GS-13 $98,496 - $128,043 per year
O-5 Insignia of an Army Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant Colonel $76,720 - $130,342 per year GS-14 $116,393 - $151,308 per year
O-6 Insignia of an Army Colonel Colonel $92,030 - $162,918 per year GS-15 $136,908 - $177,978 per year
O-7 Insignia of an Army Brigadier General Brigadier General $121,356 - $181,321 per year SES Level 5 $172,100 per year
O-8 Insignia of an Army Major General Major General $146,048 - $210,550 per year SES Level 4 $183,500 per year
O-9 Insignia of an Army Lieutenant General Lieutenant General $206,417 - $212,101 per year SES Level 3 $195,000 per year
O-10 Insignia of an Army General General $212,101 per year3 SES Levels 1 & 2 $172,100 per year
O-10 Insignia of an Army General of the Army General of the Army $212,101 per year3 SES Levels 1 & 2 $172,100 per year
Pay Range Notes
  1. Military pay displayed in this chart is based on the 2023 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 2023 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