Pay Grade

Pay grades run from E-1 (the most junior enlisted) through E-9 (the most senior), O-1 through O-10 for officers, and W-1 through W-5 for warrant officers. An E-5 in the Army (Sergeant) earns the same base pay as an E-5 in the Navy (Petty Officer Second Class). Knowing pay grades is more useful than knowing rank names when comparing across branches.