Welcome to the United States Air Force. Learn about great opportunities for enlisted airmen, officers and health care professionals. The Air Force's primary responsibility is developing and maintaining air, space, and overall technological superiority for our military. As of 2016, there are roughly 300,000 Active Duty, 100,000 Air National Guard, and 70,000 Reservist Airmen. Their pay grade is E-4. This is the Air Force's first non-commissioned officer rank, as well as the first Air Force rank to which promotion is attained on a competitive basis. A staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force is the lowest non-commissioned officer rank and directly above senior airman. Command Chief Master Sergeant (E-9): The Command Chief Master Sergeant was formerly known as the Senior Enlisted Advisor, a title that still accurately reflects the role of this position. The CCM is a liaison between the enlisted force and the commander of a high level, including a Base Command, Wing, Numbered Air Force, Field Operating Agency. The Air Force changes the titles and terms of address for the first four grades, restoring the NCO status to the E-4 grade. The change aligned the NCO ranks in the Air Force with those of the other services and allowed many Airmen to reach the NCO “sergeant” rank during their first enlistment, which was thought to be a factor in retention.
| E-4 Enlisted Airman, U.S. Air Force |
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Air Force Ranks »Senior Airman Rank •SrA Pay •SrA Rank History
History of the Air Force Senior Airman Rank
A Senior Airman is a Enlisted Airman in the United States Air Force at DoD paygrade E-4.
For a long time, the E-4 pay grade had two different ranks: senior airmen and sergeant. This is a lingering result from the split with the Army. Senior airmen were not considered a non-commissioned officer but sergeants were. However, some noticed how odd it was that two airmen of the same pay grade could have such varying duties and responsibilities. The Air Force decided to phase out the sergeant title and designate senior airman as the sole title for the pay grade E-4. As a result, the Air Force is the only service where non-commissioned officers are not found in the E-4 pay grade.
However, senior airmen that are lucky enough to attend Airman Leadership School early may supervise younger airmen but are not considered non-commissioned officers.
Want to learn more? Read about the Air Force's Senior Airman rank on Military-Ranks.org.
History of the Air Force
The Air Force was founded in 1947, just after WWII. It was created using most of the existing Army Air Corps that had just made significant contributions to the war effort. The Air Force is the most technological of the branches, as well as the 'most business-like' (least strict). There is a general concensus in the military that quality of life for servicemembers in the Air Force is highest. Just as the Army fights land wars and the Navy fights sea wars, the Air Force was originally envisioned to fight air wars. While wars in the past 70 years couldn't be fought with aircraft alone, the age of Drones and Artificial Intelligence may cause a paradigm shift where air-only wars are possible.
U.S. Air Force: Basic Pay Charts for 2020
All members of the United States Air Force are paid a monthly basic pay rate determined by their paygrade/Air Force rank. Please note that the 2020 Military Basic Pay Charts on this page do not include the various Air Force allowances and bonuses that suppliment most servicemembers' incomes. For a more detailed military pay estimate, use our Air Force pay calculator.
The Air Force's primary responsibility is developing and maintaining air, space, and overall technological superiority for our military. As of 2016, there are roughly 300,000 Active Duty, 100,000 Air National Guard, and 70,000 Reservist Airmen. The major communities for the Air Force include Operations, Maintenance, Logistics, Ballistic Missile Defense, Intelligence, Cyber Warfare, Acquisition, Space Warfare, and Medical, with many others not listed.
QuickNav: Air Force Pay Charts
E 4 Sgt Air Force Base
Air Force Pay CalculatorAir Force Enlisted Basic Pay Rates
This pay table is used to determine the monthly basic pay for enlisted servicemembers in the Air Force. To determine your pay rate, first choose your paygrade (from E-1 to E-9) and then find the row that corresponds with your number of years' experience in the Air Force. You can also use our Air Force Pay Calculator to calculate pay and allowances.
| Years of Experience | E-1 | E-2 | E-3 | E-4 | E-5 | E-6 | E-7 | E-8 | E-9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airman Basic | Airman | Airman First Class | Senior Airman | Staff Sergeant | Technical Sergeant | Master Sergeant | Senior Master Sergeant | Chief Master Sergeant | |
| 2 or less | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,043 | $2,263 | $2,468 | $2,694 | $3,114 | n/a | n/a |
| Over 2 | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,171 | $2,378 | $2,634 | $2,964 | $3,399 | n/a | n/a |
| Over 3 | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,303 | $2,507 | $2,761 | $3,095 | $3,530 | n/a | n/a |
| Over 4 | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,303 | $2,635 | $2,891 | $3,222 | $3,701 | n/a | n/a |
| Over 6 | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,303 | $2,747 | $3,095 | $3,355 | $3,836 | n/a | n/a |
| Over 8 | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,303 | $2,747 | $3,306 | $3,653 | $4,067 | $4,480 | n/a |
| Over 10 | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,303 | $2,747 | $3,481 | $3,770 | $4,198 | $4,678 | $5,473 |
| Over 12 | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,303 | $2,747 | $3,502 | $3,995 | $4,429 | $4,801 | $5,597 |
| Over 14 | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,303 | $2,747 | $3,502 | $4,064 | $4,622 | $4,948 | $5,753 |
| Over 16 | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,303 | $2,747 | $3,502 | $4,114 | $4,753 | $5,107 | $5,937 |
| Over 18 | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,303 | $2,747 | $3,502 | $4,172 | $4,892 | $5,395 | $6,123 |
| Over 20 | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,303 | $2,747 | $3,502 | $4,172 | $4,946 | $5,540 | $6,419 |
| Over 22 | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,303 | $2,747 | $3,502 | $4,172 | $5,129 | $5,788 | $6,671 |
| Over 24 | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,303 | $2,747 | $3,502 | $4,172 | $5,226 | $5,926 | $6,935 |
| Over 26 | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,303 | $2,747 | $3,502 | $4,172 | $5,597 | $6,264 | $7,340 |
| Over 28 | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,303 | $2,747 | $3,502 | $4,172 | $5,597 | $6,264 | $7,340 |
| Over 30 | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,303 | $2,747 | $3,502 | $4,172 | $5,597 | $6,390 | $7,706 |
| Over 32 | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,303 | $2,747 | $3,502 | $4,172 | $5,597 | $6,390 | $7,706 |
| Over 34 | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,303 | $2,747 | $3,502 | $4,172 | $5,597 | $6,390 | $8,092 |
| Over 36 | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,303 | $2,747 | $3,502 | $4,172 | $5,597 | $6,390 | $8,092 |
| Over 38 | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,303 | $2,747 | $3,502 | $4,172 | $5,597 | $6,390 | $8,498 |
| Over 40 | $1,733 | $1,943 | $2,303 | $2,747 | $3,502 | $4,172 | $5,597 | $6,390 | $8,498 |
Notes on the Enlisted Positions
Air Force Officer Basic Pay Rates
This pay table is used to determine the monthly basic pay for commissioned officers in the Air Force. To determine your pay rate, first choose your paygrade (from O-1 to O-10) and then find the row that corresponds with your number of years' experience in the Air Force. You can also use our Air Force Pay Calculator to calculate pay and allowances.
| Years Exp. | O-1 | O-2 | O-3 | O-4 | O-5 | O-6 | O-7 | O-8 | O-9 | O-10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second Lieutenant | First Lieutenant | Captain | Major | Lieutenant Colonel | Colonel | Brigadier General | Major General | Lieutenant General | General | |
| 2 or less | $3,287* | $3,788* | $4,383* | $4,985* | $5,778* | $6,931* | $9,140* | $11,000* | n/a | n/a |
| Over 2 | $3,422* | $4,313* | $4,969* | $5,771* | $6,509* | $7,615* | $9,565* | $11,360* | n/a | n/a |
| Over 3 | $4,136* | $4,968* | $5,363* | $6,156* | $6,959* | $8,114* | $9,761* | $11,600* | n/a | n/a |
| Over 4 | $4,136* $4,136 | $5,136* $5,136 | $5,847* $5,847 | $6,242* | $7,044* | $8,114* | $9,917* | $11,666* | n/a | n/a |
| Over 6 | $4,136* $4,417 | $5,241* $5,241 | $6,128* $6,128 | $6,599* | $7,326* | $8,145* | $10,200* | $11,965* | n/a | n/a |
| Over 8 | $4,136* $4,580 | $5,241* $5,408 | $6,435* $6,435 | $6,983* | $7,494* | $8,495* | $10,480* | $12,463* | n/a | n/a |
| Over 10 | $4,136* $4,747 | $5,241* $5,690 | $6,634* $6,634 | $7,460* | $7,864* | $8,541* | $10,803* | $12,579* | n/a | n/a |
| Over 12 | $4,136* $4,911 | $5,241* $5,908 | $6,961* $6,961 | $7,832* | $8,135* | $8,541* | $11,125* | $13,052* | n/a | n/a |
| Over 14 | $4,136* $5,136 | $5,241* $6,070 | $7,131* $7,236 | $8,090* | $8,486* | $9,026* | $11,448* | $13,188* | n/a | n/a |
| Over 16 | $4,136* $5,136 | $5,241* $6,070 | $7,131* $7,395 | $8,238* | $9,023* | $9,884* | $12,463* | $13,596* | n/a | n/a |
| Over 18 | $4,136* $5,136 | $5,241* $6,070 | $7,131* $7,611 | $8,324* | $9,278* | $10,388* | $13,320* | $14,186* | n/a | n/a |
| Over 20 | $4,136* $5,136 | $5,241* $6,070 | $7,131* $7,611 | $8,324* | $9,530* | $10,891* | $13,320* | $14,730* | $15,546* | $16,442* |
| Over 22 | $4,136* $5,136 | $5,241* $6,070 | $7,131* $7,611 | $8,324* | $9,817* | $11,177* | $13,320* | $15,093* | $15,771* | $16,442* |
| Over 24 | $4,136* $5,136 | $5,241* $6,070 | $7,131* $7,611 | $8,324* | $9,817* | $11,468* | $13,320* | $15,093* | $16,094* | $16,442* |
| Over 26 | $4,136* $5,136 | $5,241* $6,070 | $7,131* $7,611 | $8,324* | $9,817* | $12,030* | $13,388* | $15,093* | $16,442* | $16,442* |
| Over 28 | $4,136* $5,136 | $5,241* $6,070 | $7,131* $7,611 | $8,324* | $9,817* | $12,030* | $13,388* | $15,093* | $16,442* | $16,442* |
| Over 30 | $4,136* $5,136 | $5,241* $6,070 | $7,131* $7,611 | $8,324* | $9,817* | $12,270* | $13,656* | $15,471* | $16,442* | $16,442* |
| Over 32 | $4,136* $5,136 | $5,241* $6,070 | $7,131* $7,611 | $8,324* | $9,817* | $12,270* | $13,656* | $15,471* | $16,442* | $16,442* |
| Over 34 | $4,136* $5,136 | $5,241* $6,070 | $7,131* $7,611 | $8,324* | $9,817* | $12,270* | $13,656* | $15,857* | $16,442* | $16,442* |
| Over 36 | $4,136* $5,136 | $5,241* $6,070 | $7,131* $7,611 | $8,324* | $9,817* | $12,270* | $13,656* | $15,857* | $16,442* | $16,442* |
| Over 38 | $4,136* $5,136 | $5,241* $6,070 | $7,131* $7,611 | $8,324* | $9,817* | $12,270* | $13,656* | $15,857* | $16,442* | $16,442* |
| Over 40 | $4,136* $5,136 | $5,241* $6,070 | $7,131* $7,611 | $8,324* | $9,817* | $12,270* | $13,656* | $15,857* | $16,442* | $16,442* |
Air Force Ranks In Order
Notes on the Officer Positions
O-1: For O6 and Below is Limited to Level V of the Executive Schedule in Effect During 2020 ($13,341.60)
O-10: For O7-O10 is Limited to Level II of the Executive Schedule During 2020 ($16,441.80)
O-1E: For O6 and Below is Limited to Level V of the Executive Schedule in Effect During 2020 ($13,341.60)
O-2: For O6 and Below is Limited to Level V of the Executive Schedule in Effect During 2020 ($13,341.60)
O-2E: For O6 and Below is Limited to Level V of the Executive Schedule in Effect During 2020 ($13,341.60)
O-3: For O6 and Below is Limited to Level V of the Executive Schedule in Effect During 2020 ($13,341.60)
O-3E: For O6 and Below is Limited to Level V of the Executive Schedule in Effect During 2020 ($13,341.60)
O-4: For O6 and Below is Limited to Level V of the Executive Schedule in Effect During 2020 ($13,341.60)
O-5: For O6 and Below is Limited to Level V of the Executive Schedule in Effect During 2020 ($13,341.60)
O-6: For O6 and Below is Limited to Level V of the Executive Schedule in Effect During 2020 ($13,341.60)
O-7: For O7-O10 is Limited to Level II of the Executive Schedule During 2020 ($16,441.80)
O-8: For O7-O10 is Limited to Level II of the Executive Schedule During 2020 ($16,441.80)
Usaf E 4 Sergeant
O-9: For O7-O10 is Limited to Level II of the Executive Schedule During 2020 ($16,441.80)
Air Force Warrant Officer Basic Pay Rates
This pay table is used to determine the monthly basic pay for warrant officers in the Air Force. To determine your pay rate, first choose your paygrade (from W-1 to W-5) and then find the row that corresponds with your number of years' experience in the Air Force. You can also use our Air Force Pay Calculator to calculate pay and allowances.
| Years of Experience | W-1 | W-2 | W-3 | W-4 | W-5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| There is no rank of this paygrade in the Air Force | There is no rank of this paygrade in the Air Force | There is no rank of this paygrade in the Air Force | There is no rank of this paygrade in the Air Force | There is no rank of this paygrade in the Air Force | |
| 2 or less | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Over 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Over 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Over 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Over 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Over 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Over 10 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Over 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Over 14 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Over 16 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Over 18 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Over 20 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Over 22 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Over 24 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Over 26 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Over 28 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Over 30 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Over 32 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Over 34 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Over 36 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Over 38 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Over 40 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |