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Coast Guard Ranks to Civilian GS Paygrades
Army 
Navy 
Air Force 
Marine Corps 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 Coast Guard 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 Coast Guard Ranks vs. Civilian General Schedule Equivalents
See military paygrade and the associated Coast Guard rank on the left, and equivalent General Schedule paygrade on the right.
| Pay Grade | Insignia | Coast Guard Rank | Basic Pay Range 1 | GS Grade | Civilian Pay Range 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | No Insignia | Seaman Recruit | $24,206 per year3 | GS-1 | $26,175 - $32,742 per year |
| E-2 |
|
Seaman Apprentice | $27,133 - $27,385 per year | GS-2 | $29,431 - $37,035 per year |
| E-3 |
|
Seaman | $28,530 - $32,162 per year | GS-3 | $32,114 - $41,744 per year |
| E-4 |
|
Petty Officer Third Class | $31,604 - $38,369 per year | GS-4 | $36,049 - $46,868 per year |
| E-5 |
|
Petty Officer Second Class | $34,466 - $48,917 per year | GS-5 | $40,332 - $52,426 per year |
| E-6 |
|
Petty Officer First Class | $37,627 - $58,277 per year | GS-5 | $40,332 - $52,426 per year |
| E-7 |
|
Chief Petty Officer | $43,499 - $78,188 per year | GS-6 | $44,959 - $58,445 per year |
| E-8 |
|
Senior Chief Petty Officer | $62,579 - $89,248 per year | GS-6 | $44,959 - $58,445 per year |
| E-9 |
|
Master Chief Petty Officer | $76,446 - $118,696 per year | GS-6 | $44,959 - $58,445 per year |
| E-9 |
|
Command Master Chief Petty Officer | $76,446 - $118,696 per year | GS-6 | $44,959 - $58,445 per year |
| E-9 |
|
Master Chief Petty Officer Of The Coast Guard | $76,446 - $118,696 per year | GS-6 | $44,959 - $58,445 per year |
| W-2 |
|
Chief Warrant Officer 2 | $51,131 - $85,342 per year | GS-7 | $49,960 - $64,952 per year |
| W-3 |
|
Chief Warrant Officer 3 | $57,787 - $101,365 per year | GS-8 | $55,328 - $71,932 per year |
| W-4 |
|
Chief Warrant Officer 4 | $63,277 - $117,860 per year | GS-8 | $55,328 - $71,932 per year |
| O-1 |
|
Ensign | $45,914 - $57,776 per year | GS-7 | $49,960 - $64,952 per year |
| O-2 |
|
Lieutenant Junior Grade | $52,902 - $73,210 per year | GS-8 | $55,328 - $71,932 per year |
| O-2 |
|
Lieutenant Junior Grade | $52,902 - $73,210 per year | GS-9 | $61,111 - $79,443 per year |
| O-3 |
|
Lieutenant | $61,225 - $99,612 per year | GS-10 | $67,297 - $87,482 per year |
| O-3 |
|
Lieutenant | $61,225 - $99,612 per year | GS-11 | $73,939 - $96,116 per year |
| O-4 |
|
Lieutenant Commander | $69,638 - $116,269 per year | GS-12 | $88,621 - $115,213 per year |
| O-5 |
|
Commander | $80,708 - $137,120 per year | GS-13 | $105,383 - $137,000 per year |
| O-5 |
|
Commander | $80,708 - $137,120 per year | GS-14 | $124,531 - $161,889 per year |
| O-6 |
|
Captain | $96,815 - $171,389 per year | GS-15 | $146,481 - $190,424 per year |
| O-7 |
|
Rear Admiral Lower Half | $127,667 - $190,750 per year | SES Level 5 | $183,100 per year |
| O-8 |
|
Rear Admiral | $153,644 - $221,497 per year | SES Level 4 | $195,200 per year |
| O-9 |
|
Vice Admiral | $217,152 - $221,900 per year | SES Level 3 | $207,500 per year |
| O-10 |
|
Admiral | $221,900 per year3 | SES Levels 1 & 2 | $183,100 per year |
Pay Range Notes
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.