Intro
Discover the US Air Force salary structure and yearly earnings potential. Learn how rank, time in service, and job specialty impact your pay. Get insights into basic pay, allowances, and special pays, including flight pay and hazardous duty pay. Find out what you can earn annually in the US Air Force and plan your military career.
The United States Air Force (USAF) is one of the most prestigious branches of the military, offering a wide range of career opportunities and competitive salaries. If you're considering a career in the USAF, you're likely wondering how much you can earn yearly. In this article, we'll break down the salary structure of the USAF, including the various ranks, pay grades, and factors that affect take-home pay.
USAF Salary Structure
The USAF uses a pay grade system, which is based on the individual's rank and time in service. The pay grades are divided into two categories: enlisted and officer. Enlisted personnel are further divided into nine pay grades, while officers are divided into 11 pay grades.
Enlisted Pay Grades
The enlisted pay grades in the USAF are as follows:
- E-1 (Airman Basic): $1,733.10 per month (basic pay)
- E-2 (Airman): $1,942.50 per month (basic pay)
- E-3 (Airman First Class): $2,043.90 per month (basic pay)
- E-4 (Senior Airman): $2,394.40 per month (basic pay)
- E-5 (Staff Sergeant): $2,683.90 per month (basic pay)
- E-6 (Technical Sergeant): $3,041.30 per month (basic pay)
- E-7 (Master Sergeant): $3,344.40 per month (basic pay)
- E-8 (Senior Master Sergeant): $3,655.40 per month (basic pay)
- E-9 (Chief Master Sergeant): $4,044.90 per month (basic pay)
Officer Pay Grades
The officer pay grades in the USAF are as follows:
- O-1 (Second Lieutenant): $3,287.10 per month (basic pay)
- O-2 (First Lieutenant): $3,788.90 per month (basic pay)
- O-3 (Captain): $4,330.90 per month (basic pay)
- O-4 (Major): $5,161.40 per month (basic pay)
- O-5 (Lieutenant Colonel): $6,035.10 per month (basic pay)
- O-6 (Colonel): $7,017.50 per month (basic pay)
- O-7 (Brigadier General): $8,261.80 per month (basic pay)
- O-8 (Major General): $9,488.20 per month (basic pay)
- O-9 (Lieutenant General): $10,728.80 per month (basic pay)
- O-10 (General): $12,032.20 per month (basic pay)
Factors Affecting Take-Home Pay
While the basic pay rates are a good starting point, there are several factors that can affect take-home pay in the USAF. These include:
- Allowances: The USAF provides various allowances to help cover the cost of living, including basic allowance for housing (BAH), basic allowance for subsistence (BAS), and cost of living allowance (COLA).
- Bonuses: The USAF offers various bonuses to incentivize enlistment and reenlistment, including enlistment bonuses, reenlistment bonuses, and special duty pay.
- Overtime pay: USAF personnel may be eligible for overtime pay, depending on their duty schedule and work requirements.
- Hazardous duty pay: USAF personnel who perform hazardous duties, such as flying or special operations, may be eligible for hazardous duty pay.
Yearly Salary Ranges
Based on the basic pay rates and factors affecting take-home pay, here are some estimated yearly salary ranges for USAF personnel:
- Enlisted personnel:
- E-1 (Airman Basic): $20,796 - $24,796 per year
- E-2 (Airman): $23,310 - $28,310 per year
- E-3 (Airman First Class): $26,431 - $32,431 per year
- E-4 (Senior Airman): $30,442 - $38,442 per year
- E-5 (Staff Sergeant): $34,622 - $44,622 per year
- E-6 (Technical Sergeant): $38,892 - $50,892 per year
- E-7 (Master Sergeant): $43,262 - $56,262 per year
- E-8 (Senior Master Sergeant): $47,672 - $62,672 per year
- E-9 (Chief Master Sergeant): $52,982 - $70,982 per year
- Officer personnel:
- O-1 (Second Lieutenant): $39,444 - $51,444 per year
- O-2 (First Lieutenant): $45,466 - $61,466 per year
- O-3 (Captain): $51,978 - $71,978 per year
- O-4 (Major): $61,194 - $83,194 per year
- O-5 (Lieutenant Colonel): $72,420 - $96,420 per year
- O-6 (Colonel): $84,210 - $112,210 per year
- O-7 (Brigadier General): $98,542 - $130,542 per year
- O-8 (Major General): $113,794 - $148,794 per year
- O-9 (Lieutenant General): $129,774 - $165,774 per year
- O-10 (General): $145,948 - $183,948 per year
Gallery Section:
US Air Force Salary Image Gallery
We hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive understanding of the USAF salary structure and yearly salary ranges. If you have any questions or would like to know more about a specific topic, please feel free to comment below.