U.S. Air Force: List of Ranks, Insignia, and Pay Range
An enlisted member enters the Air Force as an Airman Basic. After completing basic training, the enlisted recuits advances to Airman First Class. The next notable advancement is to a Noncommissioned Officer.
The highest rank attainable in the Air Force is the five-star General of the Air Force. In 1944, Congress created the rank General of the Air Force. The only person to hold this rank was Henry H. Arnold.
The table below lists all the standard ranks in the U.S. Air Force and their respective pay grades, insignias, abbreviations, and classifications. Click any rank to view detailed information about that rank's duties, pay, promotions, and more.
Air Force Ranks - Enlisted and Officer, from Lowest to Highest
Pay Grade | Insignia | Rank | Abbreviation | Classification | 2024 Pay Range |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
E-1 | No Insignia | Airman Basic | AB | Enlisted Airman | $2,017 per month |
E-2 | Airman | Amn | Enlisted Airman | $27,133 - $27,385 per year | |
E-3 | Airman First Class | A1C | Enlisted Airman | $28,530 - $32,162 per year | |
E-4 | Senior Airman | SrA | Enlisted Airman | $31,604 - $38,369 per year | |
E-5 | Staff Sergeant | SSgt | Noncommissioned Officer | $34,466 - $48,917 per year | |
E-6 | Technical Sergeant | TSgt | Noncommissioned Officer | $37,627 - $58,277 per year | |
E-7 | Master Sergeant | MSgt | Noncommissioned Officer | $43,499 - $78,188 per year | |
E-8 | Senior Master Sergeant | SMSgt | Noncommissioned Officer | $62,579 - $89,248 per year | |
E-9 | Chief Master Sergeant | CMSgt | Noncommissioned Officer | $76,446 - $118,696 per year | |
E-9 | Command Chief Master Sergeant | CCM | Noncommissioned Officer | $76,446 - $118,696 per year | |
E-9 | Chief Master Sergeant Of The Air Force | CMSAF | Noncommissioned Officer (Special) | $76,446 - $118,696 per year | |
O-1 | Second Lieutenant | 2d Lt | Commissioned Officer | $45,914 - $57,776 per year | |
O-2 | First Lieutenant | 1st L | Commissioned Officer | $52,902 - $73,210 per year | |
O-3 | Captain | Capt | Commissioned Officer | $61,225 - $99,612 per year | |
O-4 | Major | Maj | Field Officer | $69,638 - $116,269 per year | |
O-5 | Lieutenant Colonel | Lt Co | Field Officer | $80,708 - $137,120 per year | |
O-6 | Colonel | Col | Field Officer | $96,815 - $171,389 per year | |
O-7 | Brigadier General | Brig | General Officer | $127,667 - $190,750 per year | |
O-8 | Major General | Maj G | General Officer | $153,644 - $221,497 per year | |
O-9 | Lieutenant General | Lt Ge | General Officer | $217,152 - $221,900 per year | |
O-10 | General | Gen | General Officer | $18,492 per month | |
O-10 | General of the Air Force | GAF | General Officer | $18,492 per month |
To see how Air Force ranks compare to civilian employees, see our Air Force ranks to GS grades comparison table.