U.S. Army: List of Ranks, Insignia, and Pay Range
An enlisted member enters the Army as a Private. After completing basic training, the enlisted recuits advances to Private First Class. The next notable advancement is to a Noncommissioned Officer.
The highest rank attainable in the Army is the five-star General of the Army. Often called a "five-star general", the rank of General of the Army has historically been reserved for wartime use and is not currently active in the U.S. Army.
The table below lists all the standard ranks in the U.S. Army 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.
Army Ranks - Enlisted and Officer, from Lowest to Highest
Pay Grade | Insignia | Rank | Abbreviation | Classification | 2024 Pay Range |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
E-1 | No Insignia | Private | PVT | Enlisted Soldier | $2,017 per month |
E-2 | Private Second Class | PV2 | Enlisted Soldier | $27,133 - $27,385 per year | |
E-3 | Private First Class | PFC | Enlisted Soldier | $28,530 - $32,162 per year | |
E-4 | Specialist | SPC | Enlisted Soldier | $31,604 - $38,369 per year | |
E-4 | Corporal | CPL | Noncommissioned Officer | $31,604 - $38,369 per year | |
E-5 | Sergeant | SGT | Noncommissioned Officer | $34,466 - $48,917 per year | |
E-6 | Staff Sergeant | SSG | Noncommissioned Officer | $37,627 - $58,277 per year | |
E-7 | Sergeant First Class | SFC | Noncommissioned Officer | $43,499 - $78,188 per year | |
E-8 | Master Sergeant | MSG | Noncommissioned Officer | $62,579 - $89,248 per year | |
E-8 | First Sergeant | 1SG | Noncommissioned Officer | $62,579 - $89,248 per year | |
E-9 | Sergeant Major | SGM | Noncommissioned Officer | $76,446 - $118,696 per year | |
E-9 | Command Sergeant Major | CSM | Noncommissioned Officer | $76,446 - $118,696 per year | |
E-9 | Sergeant Major of the Army | SMA | Noncommissioned Officer (Special) | $76,446 - $118,696 per year | |
W-1 | Warrant Officer 1 | WO1 | Warrant Officer | $44,878 - $77,555 per year | |
W-2 | Chief Warrant Officer 2 | CW2 | Warrant Officer | $51,131 - $85,342 per year | |
W-3 | Chief Warrant Officer 3 | CW3 | Warrant Officer | $57,787 - $101,365 per year | |
W-4 | Chief Warrant Officer 4 | CW4 | Warrant Officer | $63,277 - $117,860 per year | |
W-5 | Chief Warrant Officer 5 | CW5 | Warrant Officer | $112,507 - $147,229 per year | |
O-1 | Second Lieutenant | 2LT | Commissioned Officer | $45,914 - $57,776 per year | |
O-2 | First Lieutenant | 1LT | Commissioned Officer | $52,902 - $73,210 per year | |
O-3 | Captain | CPT | Commissioned Officer | $61,225 - $99,612 per year | |
O-4 | Major | MAJ | Field Officer | $69,638 - $116,269 per year | |
O-5 | Lieutenant Colonel | LTC | Field Officer | $80,708 - $137,120 per year | |
O-6 | Colonel | COL | Field Officer | $96,815 - $171,389 per year | |
O-7 | Brigadier General | BG | General Officer | $127,667 - $190,750 per year | |
O-8 | Major General | MG | General Officer | $153,644 - $221,497 per year | |
O-9 | Lieutenant General | LTG | General Officer | $217,152 - $221,900 per year | |
O-10 | General | GEN | General Officer | $18,492 per month | |
O-10 | General of the Army | GA | General Officer | $18,492 per month |
To see how Army ranks compare to civilian employees, see our Army ranks to GS grades comparison table.