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United States Army - E-3 Private First Class

Yearly Base Pay

$28,530 - $32,162

Monthly Base Pay

$2,377.50 - $2,680.20

Hourly Base Pay *

$14.86 - $16.75

Army Private First Class - Rank Details


Private First Class (PFC)

Classification Enlisted Soldier
Abbreviation PFC
NATO Code OR-3
Service United States Army
Address Private (last name)
What are a Private First Class' Responsibilities?

A Private First Class is the highest-ranking level of private in the Army. They are recognized as masters of individual responsibility, and they carry out all tasks and orders assigned to them to the best of their ability.

An individual can enter basic training or join the military with prior military experience and begin at the rank of Private First Class. Privates First Class are the workforce of the US Army, comprising the most populous rank across the organization.

During their time in grade, Privates First Class master all individual duties and responsibilities, preparing them to move on the next rank and start receiving leadership and supervisory duties responsibilities over other soldiers.

What is a Private First Class' Paygrade?

A Private First Class is considered an Enlisted Soldier, with a paygrade of E-3. The civilian equivalent of this military rank is roughly GS-3 under the federal government's General Schedule payscale.

On this page you can learn more about a Private First Class' payscale, the process of becoming a Private First Class, and the history of the rank in the United States Army.

Seal of the Army Army Private First Class Pay Calculator

Starting pay for a Private First Class is $2,377.50 per month, with raises for experience resulting in a maximum base pay of $2,680.20 per month. You can use the simple calculator below to see basic and drill pay for a Private First Class, or visit our Army pay calculator for a more detailed salary estimate.


Basic Pay:

Drill Pay:

n/a Learn more
For an E-3 Private First Class with
years of experience.

Use the slider below to calculate the basic pay and drill pay for an E-3 Private First Class at varying years in his or her military career.

2 or less years

Over 40 years


Equivalent Ranks to an Army Private First Class

A Private First Class is an Enlisted Soldier, with a military paygrade of E-3. The civilian equivalent of this military rank is roughly GS-3 under the federal government's General Schedule payscale.

The table below lists the equivalent ranks of an Army Private First Class, and their insignia, in the other four branches of the United States' Armed Services.


** This Document Provided By www.FederalPay.org - The Civil Employee's Resource **
Source: www.federalpay.org/military/army/private-first-class