The United States Navy, although not the largest in the world, is the most powerful. It commands a fleet of 484 naval vessels and like other branches of the military, it is highly organized by a vast hierarchical structure. Even for military personnel in other branches of the armed forces, U.S. Navy ranks can be a bit confusing.
In all fairness, they are arranged differently than in other branches. For example, enlisted service members, who are responsible for carrying out orders (as opposed to commissioned officers, who give orders) are arranged by rate (pay grade) and specialty, rather than by rank. The pay structure (E1-E9) of enlisted Navy ranks is broken into three levels: apprenticeships (E1-E3), petty officers (E4-E6), and chief petty officers (E7-E9).
To determine every rank in the United States Navy, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed every U.S. Navy rank and insignia from Veteran.com. A sailor’s insignia or rating badge – signifying a combination of pay grade and specialty – is worn in various uniform locations depending on their rate.
Seaman recruit (SR/E-1) is the lowest rate in the Navy. These enlisted at this rate are assigned to a particular occupational field including seamen, firemen, hospitalmen, airmen, or constructionmen. Once recruits are promoted to seamen (SN/E-3) they can take on basic responsibilities. The first tier of non-commissioned petty officers, on the other hand, must have leadership skills and technical expertise.
Master chief petty officer of the Navy (MCPON) is the most senior enlisted member, which is equivalent to a sergeant major of the Army. Warrant officers, commissioned officers, and admirals rank above enlisted service members. Warrant officers are technical experts in a particular field; this includes pilots, electronic technicians, surgeons, and carpenters. Commissioned officers must graduate from naval officer training and excel in advanced leadership roles.
Beyond commissioned officers are various admirals, who command major sea and shore operations, fleets of ships, or regional fleets. While four-star admirals are usually the highest-ranking members of the Navy, a temporary five-star rank called fleet admiral (FADM) is possible but only appointed during wartime. While there have been 237 four-star admirals in Naval history, there have only been four fleet admirals, all of whom were appointed during World War II. Here are 50 of the most decorated war heroes in American history.
Here is the salary of every rank in the United States Navy
1. Seaman Recruit (SR/E-1)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Pay with <4 months of service: $1,773 per month
- Annual pay with <2 and at 40 yrs of service: $23,011 to 23,011
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $23,011
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $23,011
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $23,011
2. Seaman Apprentice (SA/E-2)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with <2 and at 40 yrs of service: $25,790 to 25,790
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $25,790
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $25,790
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $25,790
3. Seaman (SN/E-3)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with <2 and at 40 yrs of service: $27,119 to 30,571
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $30,571
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $30,571
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $30,571
4. Petty Officer Third Class (PO3/E-4)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with <2 and at 40 yrs of service: $30,042 to 36,472
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $34,978
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $36,472
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $36,472
5. Petty Officer Second Class (PO2/E-5)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with <2 and at 40 yrs of service: $32,764 to 46,498
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $38,390
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $46,220
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $46,498
6. Petty Officer First Class (PO1/E-6)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with <2 and at 40 yrs of service: $35,766 to 55,397
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $42,786
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $50,051
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $55,397
7. Chief Petty Officer (CPO/E-7)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with <2 and at 40 yrs of service: $41,350 to 74,322
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $49,144
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $55,739
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $65,678
8. Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO/E-8)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with 8 and at 40 yrs of service: $59,486 to 84,838
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: N/A
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $62,118
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $73,562
9. Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO/E-9)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with 10 and at 40 yrs of service: $72,666 to 112,828
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: N/A
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $72,666
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $85,234
10. Command Master Chief Petty Officer (CMC/E-9)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with 10 and at 40 yrs of service: $72,666 to 112,828
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: N/A
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $72,666
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $85,234
11. Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON/E-9)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with 10 and at 40 yrs of service: $72,666 to 112,828
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: N/A
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $72,666
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $85,234
12. Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-1)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with <2 and at 40 yrs of service: $42,660 to 73,721
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $51,098
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $60,847
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $73,721
13. Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-2)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with <2 and at 40 yrs of service: $48,604 to 81,122
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $55,588
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $66,067
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $78,206
14. Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-3)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with <2 and at 40 yrs of service: $54,932 to 96,354
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $60,332
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $72,670
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $89,140
15. Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-4)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with <2 and at 40 yrs of service: $60,149 to 112,036
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $68,378
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $77,796
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $97,052
16. Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-5)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with 20 and at 40 yrs of service: $106,945 to 139,950
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: N/A
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: N/A
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $106,945
17. Ensign (ENS/O-1)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with <2 and at 40 yrs of service: $43,646 to 54,922
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $54,922
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $54,922
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $54,922
18. Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG/O-2)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with <2 and at 40 yrs of service: $50,288 to 69,592
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $68,191
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $69,592
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $69,592
19. Lieutenant (LT/O-3)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with <2 and at 40 yrs of service: $58,198 to 94,687
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $77,638
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $88,081
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $94,687
20. Lieutenant Commander (LCDR/O-4)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with <2 and at 40 yrs of service: $66,197 to 110,524
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $82,876
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $99,058
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $110,524
21. Commander (CDR/O-5)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with <2 and at 40 yrs of service: $76,720 to 130,342
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $93,532
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $104,407
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $126,536
22. Captain (CAPT/O-6)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with <2 and at 40 yrs of service: $92,030 to 162,918
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $107,737
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $113,400
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $144,605
23. Rear Admiral Lower Half (RDML/O-7)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with <2 and at 40 yrs of service: $121,356 to 181,321
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $131,681
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $143,431
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $176,854
24. Rear Admiral Upper Half (RADM/O-8)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with <2 and at 40 yrs of service: $146,048 to 210,550
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $154,897
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $167,018
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $195,577
25. Vice Admiral (VADM/O-9)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with 20 and at 40 yrs of service: $206,417 to 212,101
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: N/A
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: N/A
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $206,417
26. Admiral (ADM/O-10)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Annual pay with 20 and at 40 yrs of service: $212,101 to 212,101
- Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: N/A
- Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: N/A
- Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $212,101
27. Fleet Admiral (FADM)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Note: there are no current fleet admirals. Would likely have more than 30 years of service and make >$200,000 per year.
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