US Air Force Ranks And Salary 2025 (US Air Force Pay)

When talking about the United States Armed Forces, one of the most respected branches is the United States Air Force (USAF). It is the aerial and space arm of the U.S. military and plays a crucial role in maintaining global security. Just like other branches of the military, the Air Force has a structured rank system that determines authority, responsibility, and salary. In this article, we will carefully look at the ranks in the U.S. Air Force and how much personnel are expected to earn in 2025.

Overview of the U.S. Air Force Rank System

The U.S. Air Force rank structure is divided into enlisted personnel, non-commissioned officers (NCOs), and commissioned officers. Each category has its own progression, privileges, and pay grades. The ranks also align with the Department of Defense (DoD) pay scale, which is standardized across all military branches.

Enlisted members begin at the junior level, while officers start their careers with more responsibility and higher pay. Advancement in rank comes with years of service, performance, and sometimes additional qualifications.

Enlisted Ranks in the U.S. Air Force

The enlisted ranks start from the very bottom and go up gradually. Here is how they are arranged:

• Airman Basic (E-1) – This is the entry-level rank for new recruits. They undergo basic training and earn the lowest salary in the Air Force.
• Airman (E-2) – After completing training and gaining a little experience, a recruit becomes an Airman.
• Airman First Class (E-3) – At this stage, the individual is no longer considered new and takes on more duties.
• Senior Airman (E-4) – A transitional rank before becoming a non-commissioned officer.
• Staff Sergeant (E-5) – The first level of NCO, responsible for supervising junior airmen.
• Technical Sergeant (E-6) – More experienced NCO with leadership and technical responsibilities.
• Master Sergeant (E-7) – Senior NCO rank with greater authority and administrative duties.
• Senior Master Sergeant (E-8) – Very senior enlisted leader with high responsibility.
• Chief Master Sergeant (E-9) – The highest enlisted rank in the Air Force. At the very top is the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, who represents all enlisted members to Air Force leadership.

Commissioned Officer Ranks in the U.S. Air Force

Commissioned officers are leaders who manage larger units and operations. They hold greater responsibilities and higher pay. The ranks are:

• Second Lieutenant (O-1) – Entry-level officer rank, often leading small units.
• First Lieutenant (O-2) – With some years of service, an officer progresses to this rank.
• Captain (O-3) – Experienced officers who lead flights or sections.
• Major (O-4) – A mid-level officer rank with more command responsibilities.
• Lieutenant Colonel (O-5) – Senior officer, often in charge of squadrons.
• Colonel (O-6) – Very senior officer, often commanding wings.
• Brigadier General (O-7) – The first of the general officer ranks.
• Major General (O-8) – Two-star general, responsible for large commands.
• Lieutenant General (O-9) – Three-star general.
• General (O-10) – Four-star general, top leadership in the Air Force.
• General of the Air Force (Special rank) – Rare five-star rank, usually reserved for wartime.

U.S. Air Force Salary in 2025

The pay in the U.S. Air Force is determined by two major factors: rank and years of service. The Department of Defense uses a standardized pay grade system (E for enlisted and O for officers). While additional allowances (such as housing, food, and special duty pay) may increase total earnings, the basic pay is consistent across all branches.

Here’s a simplified breakdown of what Air Force personnel can expect to earn in 2025:

• Enlisted Airmen (E-1 to E-4): Salaries start around $1,900 per month for an Airman Basic and rise to over $2,600 for a Senior Airman, depending on years of service.
• Non-Commissioned Officers (E-5 to E-7): Staff Sergeants and Technical Sergeants can earn between $3,000 to $4,500 monthly. Master Sergeants, with more