Comparison of Military and Civilian Equivalent Grades

Military Civilian
Military
Grade
Rank White Collar
(GS/GM)
Blue Collar
(FWS)
O-10 Admiral    
O-9 Vice Admiral SES*  
O-8 Rear Admiral (Upper Half) SES*/GS-16,17, or 18  
O-7 Rear Admiral (Lower Half) SES*/GS-16,17, or 18  
O-6 Captain GS/GM-15 Ships Pilots,
O-5 Commander GS/GM-13-14 WS-14 thru WS-19,
O-4 Lt. Commander GS/-12 WT-15
O-3 Lieutenant GS-10-11  
O-2 Lieutenant (J.G.) GS-8-9  
O-1 Ensign GS-7 WS-8 thru WS-11
WL-8 thru WL-14
W-4 Chief Warrant GS-8-9 WG-12 thru WG-15
W-3 Chief Warrant GS-8-9  
W-2 Chief Warrant GS-7  
W-1 Warrant Officer GS-7  
E-9 Master Chief Petty Officer GS-6  
E-8 Senior Chief Petty Officer GS-6 WS-1 thru WS-7
E-7 Chief Petty Officer GS-6 WL-1 thru WL-5
E-6 Petty Officer 1st Class GS-5 WG-9 thru WG-11
E-5 Petty Officer 2nd Class GS-4  
E-4 Petty Officer 3rd Class GS-4  
E-3 Seaman GS-1-3 WG-1 thru WG-8
E-2 Seaman Apprentice GS-1-3  
E-1 Seaman Recruit GS-1-3  

*All SES [Senior Executive Service] are considered equivalent to "Flag" rank. However, the specific position determines their equivalency within the "Flag" level.
For example, a Deputy Commander of a Systems Command would be considered the same as what a military would be in a similar position.


Source of information: DOD JTR, Appendix C, 9/1/76, Table of Military and Civilian Equivalent Grades for Prisoner of War Identification - Geneva Convention.

Note: This is the only known information available that shows military/civilian grade equivalencies: therefore, it should be used only as a guide. Table has been updated to reflect current ranks, pay plans, and grades.

Source of document: "Comparison of Military and Civilian Equivalent Grades," n.d., located in "Ranks" vertical file. [Information received by the Navy Department Library from the Bureau of Personnel (BUPERS) on 5 April 1994.].


Related Source: Why is the Colonel Called "Kernal"? The Origin of the Ranks and Rank Insignia Now Used by the United States Armed Forces