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.
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 | $20,797 per year3 | GS-1 | $22,886 - $28,628 per year |
E-2 |
![]() |
Private Second Class | $23,310 per year3 | GS-2 | $25,734 - $32,384 per year |
E-3 |
![]() |
Private First Class | $24,512 - $27,634 per year | GS-3 | $28,078 - $36,500 per year |
E-4 |
![]() |
Specialist | $27,151 - $32,958 per year | GS-4 | $31,520 - $40,974 per year |
E-4 |
![]() |
Corporal | $27,151 - $32,958 per year | GS-4 | $31,520 - $40,974 per year |
E-5 |
![]() |
Sergeant | $29,610 - $42,023 per year | GS-5 | $35,265 - $45,847 per year |
E-6 |
![]() |
Staff Sergeant | $32,324 - $50,065 per year | GS-5 | $35,265 - $45,847 per year |
E-7 |
![]() |
Sergeant First Class | $37,372 - $67,169 per year | GS-6 | $39,311 - $51,103 per year |
E-8 |
![]() |
Master Sergeant | $53,762 - $76,676 per year | GS-6 | $39,311 - $51,103 per year |
E-8 |
![]() |
First Sergeant | $53,762 - $76,676 per year | GS-6 | $39,311 - $51,103 per year |
E-9 |
![]() |
Sergeant Major | $65,675 - $101,970 per year | GS-6 | $39,311 - $51,103 per year |
E-9 |
![]() |
Command Sergeant Major | $65,675 - $101,970 per year | GS-6 | $39,311 - $51,103 per year |
E-9 |
![]() |
Sergeant Major of the Army | $65,675 - $101,970 per year | GS-6 | $39,311 - $51,103 per year |
W-1 |
![]() |
Warrant Officer 1 | $38,556 - $66,625 per year | GS-7 | $43,683 - $56,790 per year |
W-2 |
![]() |
Chief Warrant Officer 2 | $43,927 - $73,318 per year | GS-7 | $43,683 - $56,790 per year |
W-3 |
![]() |
Chief Warrant Officer 3 | $49,644 - $87,080 per year | GS-8 | $48,378 - $62,894 per year |
W-4 |
![]() |
Chief Warrant Officer 4 | $54,360 - $101,254 per year | GS-8 | $48,378 - $62,894 per year |
O-1 |
![]() |
Second Lieutenant | $39,445 - $49,637 per year | GS-7 | $43,683 - $56,790 per year |
O-2 |
![]() |
First Lieutenant | $45,450 - $62,896 per year | GS-8 | $48,378 - $62,894 per year |
O-2 |
![]() |
First Lieutenant | $45,450 - $62,896 per year | GS-9 | $53,433 - $69,462 per year |
O-3 |
![]() |
Captain | $52,600 - $85,576 per year | GS-10 | $58,842 - $76,499 per year |
O-3 |
![]() |
Captain | $52,600 - $85,576 per year | GS-11 | $64,649 - $84,049 per year |
O-4 |
![]() |
Major | $59,825 - $99,889 per year | GS-12 | $77,488 - $100,739 per year |
O-5 |
![]() |
Lieutenant Colonel | $69,336 - $117,799 per year | GS-13 | $92,143 - $119,787 per year |
O-5 |
![]() |
Lieutenant Colonel | $69,336 - $117,799 per year | GS-14 | $108,885 - $141,548 per year |
O-6 |
![]() |
Colonel | $83,174 - $147,244 per year | GS-15 | $128,078 - $166,502 per year |
O-7 |
![]() |
Brigadier General | $109,681 - $163,872 per year | SES Level 5 | $161,700 per year |
O-8 |
![]() |
Major General | $131,994 - $190,289 per year | SES Level 4 | $172,500 per year |
O-9 |
![]() |
Lieutenant General | $186,552 - $197,302 per year | SES Level 3 | $183,300 per year |
Pay Range Notes
- Military pay displayed in this chart is based on the 2020 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.
- Civilian pay ranges are based on the current-year 2021 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.
- 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.