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