The Pay Scales for an Air Force Staff Sergeant
The men and women who serve in the U.S. Air Force protect American interests both domestically and abroad in the air, space and cyberspace. Because of its air power, this branch of the armed forces can mobilize troops quickly anywhere in the world and provide combat support to other branches. Salaries of staff sergeants depend on experience and advancement.
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Enlisting
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Those interested in becoming an Air Force staff sergeant must first meet minimum qualifications before enlisting. They must be between 18 and 27 years of age, be either a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and have a high school diploma or equivalent. They need to take the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery, which measures mental aptitude and defines the best careers within the service. Finally, they must pass physical and mental screening before going to basic training.
Training
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Basic military training covers eight weeks of orientation, basic war skills, self-defense and lifesaving. Technical training then follows, which can go up to a college degree. Recruits are paid from the first day of training. At the time of publication, this amount is $17,604 per year at rank E-1 or Airman Basic. Once recruits are promoted to rank E-4 or Senior Airman, salaries depend on experience. For example, with two years or less of service, pay is $22,980 per year. At more than two years, wages go to $24,168 annually and at more than three years, pay is $25,476 per year. Staff sergeants are ranked at E-5. Salaries for two years or less of experience is $25,092 annually. At more than four years, pay reaches $29,376 annually; at more than eight years, it’s $33,600; and at more than 12 years, salaries max out at $35,580 per year.
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Advancement
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Staff sergeants can progress through four higher levels of enlisted rankings, each with increasing responsibilities and salaries. Assuming 12 years of experience, for example, rank E-6 or technical sergeants get $40,584 annually; E-7 or master sergeants get $46,012 per year; E-8 or senior master sergeants earn $48,792 yearly; and an E-9 or chief master sergeant makes $56,880. Staff sergeants can also advance to officer, with higher pay, by passing the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test, which covers such topics as verbal and math skills, or pilot and navigation aptitude for those wanting to fly. They can then go through 12 weeks of Basic Officer Training. Successful completion grants officer ranks and wages.
Officer Pay
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The rank of O-1 or second lieutenant receives $33,396 annually for two years of experience or less, and maxes out at $42,036 per year after three years. First lieutenants, ranked at O-2, start at $38,484 yearly for less than two years and are paid at the maximum of $53,256 per year at more than six years. Captains at O-3 make $44,544 to $72,468 annually; colonels at O-6 get $70,440 to $124,692 yearly and major generals at O-8 earn $114,372 to $164,868 per year. The highest rank of O-10 or general of the Air Force is only available after 20 years of service and pays $184,812 per year to a maximum of $227,232 after 38 years.
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References
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