U.S. Air Force Enlisted and Officer Ranks

US Enlisted Air Force Insignias by Rank

Insignia: Airman Rank Insignia Airman First Class Rank Insignia Senior Airman Rank Insignia Staff Sergeant Rank Insignia Technical Sergeant Rank Insignia Master Sergeant Rank Insignia Master Sergeant Rank Insignia Senior Master Sergeant Rank Insignia Senior Master Sergeant Rank Insignia Chief Master Sergeant Rank Insignia Chief Master Sergeant Rank Insignia Command Chief Master Sergeant Rank Insignia Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rank Insignia
Title: Airman Airman First Class Senior Airman Staff Sergeant Technical Sergeant Master Sergeant Senior Master Sergeant Chief Master Sergeant Command Chief Master Sergeant Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force

US Air Force Officer Insignias by Rank

Insignia: Second Lieutenant Rank Insignia First Lieutenant Rank Insignia Captain Rank Insignia Major Rank Insignia Lieutenant Colonel Rank Insignia Colonel Rank Insignia Brigadier General Rank Insignia Major General Rank Insignia Lieutenant General Rank Insignia General Rank Insignia General of the Air Force Rank Insignia
Title: Second Lieutenant First Lieutenant Captain Major Lieutenant Colonel Colonel Brigadier General Major General Lieutenant General General General of the Air Force
US Air Force Ranks

Like the Navy, Army, and Marine Corps, the Air Force categorizes enlisted personnel as E grades. From lowest to highest ranks, E grades are structured as Airman Basic (E-1), Airman (E-2), Airman First Class (E-3), Senior Airman (E-4), Staff Sergeant (E-5), Technical Sergeant (E-6), Master Sergeant (E-7), Senior Master Sergeant (E-8), Chief Master Sergeant (E-9), Command Chief Master Sergeant (E-9), and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (E-9). Enlistees receive monthly salaries that start at $1,566.83 for E-1 with less than 1 year active and can grow to $3,242.00 for E-5 with less 3 years.

The Air Force no longer issues Warrant Officer grades.

For Officers in the Air Force, they must serve in the order of the following ranking system: Second Lieutenant (O-1), First Lieutenant (O-2), Captain (O-3), Major (O-4), Lieutenant Colonel (O-5), Colonel (O-6), Brigadier General (O-7), Major General (O-8), Lieutenant General (O-9), General (O-10), and General of the Air Force (Special). Second Lieutenants with less than 2 years service receive around $3,020.00. They can expect a promotion to First Lieutenant within a two year period. To rise to a Captain, the Air Force requires two additional years of satisfactory service. To clarify, officers wearing the Air Force silver insignias outrank gold insignias. Officers do receive more salary than enlisted members. However, both enlisted airmen and officers receive housing allowances, dental health care, insurance plans, and other discounts that afford them certain luxuries.

"The Air Force takes care of the basic needs of every Airman. Living expenses, including utilities and maintenance, are covered for those who choose to live in on-base housing. A monthly tax-free housing allowance based on rank, family status, and geographic location is provided for off-base residents to help pay for living expenses."

AirForce.com - https://www.airforce.com/careers/pay-and-benefits

Enlisted members can earn their college degree during their military service.

"Upon completion of Basic Military Training, enlisted Airmen will head to technical school to train for your new career. You’ll automatically begin earning credits toward a degree from the Community College of the Air Force and can continue to earn college credit and work towards your degree as you progress in expertise and rank."

AirForce.com - https://www.airforce.com/education/technical-training