List of U.S. Navy Ranks and Insignia in Order

Established in 1798, the United States Navy is the world’s most powerful, and here, we have discussed the ranks of the Navy.

Whether it’s the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, every part of the military has its ranking officers. The United States Navy is responsible for protecting and defending the country’s sea borders.

The U.S. Navy is entrusted with maintaining security at sea and it also supports seaborne forces in combat naval operations. Since the U.S. Navy was established in the 18th century, millions of young Americans have enlisted.

The United States Navy currently has over 300,000b sailors serving and more than 58,000 in reserve.

In this post, we have discussed the ranks of the Navy and their specific pay grades. After reading this guide, you will be able to identify the insignia for each officer in the Navy.

Classifications of Navy Ranks

In general, there are different Navy rank classifications and we will be listed for them for you. Ensure you are familiar with the various Navy rank classification.

Junior Enlisted

In the United States Navy, junior enlisted personnel are up to 53%. They make up a large part of the enlisted population.

Although they are more than 50% of the enlisted population, enlisted personnel is the lowest-ranked officer. Enlisted personnel will be under the supervision of senior enlisted personnel.

Enlisted personnel is on a pay grade from E-1 to E-4. Junior enlisted personnel are just like the privates in the Army and Marine Corps, the airman basic in the Air Force, and the seaman recruit in the Navy.

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Non-commissioned Officers (NCOs)

Non-commissioned officers get more advanced military training. They can serve as corporals as well as petty officers.

There is also the tactician non-commissioned officers. They are responsible for training leaders for cadet companies at the United States military academy.

Senior Non-commissioned Officer

Senior non-commissioned officers fall in the pay grade of E-8 to E-9. A senior non-commissioned officer can also serve as a staff NCO or senior enlisted advisor.

In the United States, senior NCOs are the frontline defence for the nation. Some of the senior NCOs are said to be former drill sergeants.

Senior Enlisted Advisor

In the United States Navy, the title for the senior enlisted advisor is the “master chief petty officer of the Navy”. Senior enlisted advisors are in the E-9s.

Warrant Officers

A warrant officer’s job is to make sure that managerial and technical skills are provided. Warrant officers also perform essential duties in supporting adequate communication with the chain of command.

The pay grade of a warrant officer in the U.S. Navy is from W-2 to W-5.

Junior Officers

Junior officers are commissioned officers in the Navy, holding ranks equivalent to that of an Army captain, flight lieutenant or naval lieutenant.

Senior Officers

Senior officers can command a fast-track submarine, small amphibious ships, shore installations, an aviation squadron, a frigate and a destroyer.

Flag Officers

The term “Flag Officer” is very common in the rank structure of the Navy and Coast Guard. The term is used to describe personnel who have achieved the ranks of real admiral lower half, rear admiral, vice admiral as well as admiral.

List of the U.S. Navy Ranks

Want to find out the list of officer-level ranks in the U.S. Navy, here is all you need to know. Just so you know, each position’s basic pay increases.

#1. Seaman Recruit

Classification: Junior Enlisted
Monthly Pay: $1,833 (E-1, pay grade)

In the United States Navy, the lowest of all the enlisted ranks are the seaman recruits. Seaman recruits were once known as “seaman third class” which is the United States Navy entry-level rank.

Navy seamen undergo training as an apprentice. Being the lowest of all enlisted ranks in the U.S. Navy, seaman recruits have no rank insignia.

#2. Seaman Apprentice

Classification: Junior Enlisted
Monthly Pay: $2,054.70 (E-2, pay grade)

This is the second lowest rank in the U.S. Navy after seaman recruit. There is not much difference between a seaman apprentice and a seaman recruit.

A seaman apprentice and a seaman recruit spend time studying and they both do menial service labour. Once they both finish their basic training, they can become a seaman.

#3. Seaman

Classification: Junior Enlisted
Monthly Pay: $2,160.60 (E-3)

Seaman fleet E-3s are still seen as a low rank, but they have obtained the minimum required qualifications. They are more advanced and familiar with the fleet better than their inferiors.

A seaman is more prepared to become a petty officer than a seaman apprentice and a seaman recruit. They have been involved in taking indoctrination courses under the guidance of petty officers.

#4. Petty Officer Third Class

U.S. Navy Ranks - Petty Officer Third Class

Classification: Non-commissioned officer
Monthly pay: $2,393.40 (E-4)

Next in the ranks of the Navy is the third-class petty officer.

Third-class petty officers are in charge of repairs as well as maintenance of equipment in their Division. Most of them have had the opportunity to be on the fleet.

Although they are the newest in their Division, they can take charge and also show a good sense of leadership.

#5. Petty Officer Second Class

U.S. Navy Ranks - Petty Officer Second Class

Classification: Non-commissioned officer
Monthly pay: $2,610.30 (E-5)

These midgrade petty officers are capable of handling the repairs and maintenance in their Division’s equipment. Junior petty officers, seamen, and other lower-ranking officers learn from these petty officers.

They can supervise lower rank officers without their superiors being present.

#6. Petty Officers First Class

U.S. Navy Ranks - Petty Officers First Class

Classification: Non-commissioned officer
Monthly basic pay: $2,849.40 (E-6)

These are the leaders in their Division. E-6 petty officers guide junior petty officers and they are in charge of the other petty officers’ daily business.

A first-class petty officer ranks higher in the Navy than the ones we have mentioned above.

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#7. Chief Petty Officer

Classification: Senior non-commissioned officer
Monthly basic pay: $3,294.30 (E-7)

Chiefs are the main leaders of the Navy and these ranking officers wear the same uniform. As higher-ranked officers, they are respected in their Division.

Their leadership qualities include having technical expertise and good directives to lead other sailors. The primary duty of a chief petty officer is to ensure sailors are physically and emotionally healthy for the task ahead.

#8. Senior Chief Petty Officer

U.S. Navy Ranks - Senior Chief Petty Officer

Classification: Senior Non-commissioned Officer
Monthly basic pay: $4,739.10 (E-8)

When it comes to experience, a senior chief officer is ahead of other chiefs. Senior chiefs work as department chiefs alongside department heads of engineering, combat system, supply, etc.

They are experienced enough to train the new chiefs.

#9. Master Chief Petty Officer

U.S. Navy Ranks - Master Chief Petty Officer

Classification: Senior non-commissioned officer
Monthly basic pay: $5,789.10 (E-9)

Away from senior chiefs, a Master chief petty officer ranks higher in the U.S. Navy. They are considered the most exceptional and experienced among the chiefs.

Why is this so?

Master chiefs may act as department chiefs and at the same have a huge influence on their inferiors. Master chiefs are responsible for good communication, unity, and they must ensure a flow of operation in the Chief’s Mess.

#10. Commander Master Chief Petty Officer

U.S. Navy Ranks - Commander Master Chief Petty Officer

Classification: (CMDCM) senior enlisted advisor
Monthly basic pay: $5,789.10 (E-9)

In the U.S. Navy, command master chiefs (CMCs) are seen as the sole leading chiefs of ships as well as shore base units. Commander master chiefs and master chiefs earn the same amount in the Navy.

CMCs are referred to as the “chief of the boat” on a submarine. Their job includes implementing policies relating to the training, morale, and welfare of enlisted Navy personnel.

#11. Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy

Classification: Senior enlisted advisor
Monthly basic pay: $5,789.10

The master chief petty officer of the Navy is the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). He is also the Division’s senior enlisted personnel.

The primary duty of the master chief petty officer of the Navy varies from time to time. He often travels through the Navy to train and observe activities going on.

#12. Chief Warrant Officer 1

#13. Chief Warrant Officer 2

Classification: Warrant officer (W-2)
Monthly basic pay: $3,872.10

Chief warrant officers and limited duty officers possess technical expertise far beyond the chief petty officer ranks in the Navy. They both hold important positions for the smooth operation of the Navy.

#14. Chief Warrant Officer 3

Classification: Warrant officer
Monthly basic pay: $4,376.40 (W-3)

Chief Warrant Officer 3 and Chief Warrant Officer 4 have the same primary duty. They also hold the same position as division officers in the Navy.

#15. Chief Warrant Officer 4

Classification: Warrant officer
Monthly basic pay: $4,791.90

Chief warrant officers 4 are technical specialists and the highest billeted warrant officers in the Navy.

They are also responsible for maintaining the Navy’s smooth operations.

#16. Chief Warrant Officer 5

Classification: Warrant officer
Monthly basic pay: $8,520.30

Chief warrant officers and limited duty officers are technical and warfare experts. In general, a limited duty officer and a chief warrant officer are considered the most experienced of all warrant officers.

#17. Ensign (ENS, 01)

Most ensigns are in different schools where they are undergoing training for their warfare or staff specialities. Those serving in the fleet are division officers.

#18. Chief Warrant Officer 5

Classification: Junior officer
Monthly basic pay: $3,477.30

Generally, it takes two years for ensigns to receive a promotion to lieutenant junior grade (LTJG). Whenever fleet ensigns arrive at their unit, they need to show hard work to earn the crew’s respect.

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#19. Lieutenant Junior Grade

Classification: Junior officer
Monthly basic pay: $4,006.50

Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) is the second lowest officer rank in the Navy. In the U.S. Navy, those in these ranks spend up to two years before they are promoted to full lieutenant.

They were ensigns with months of experience in the fleet and they are expected to perform at a particular level.

#20. Lieutenant

Classification: Junior officer
Monthly basic pay: $4,636.50

Lieutenants are experts in the Navy who are qualified for warfare. A lieutenant is expected to demonstrate a good sense of leadership when there is a crisis.

In the absence of the commanding officer, a lieutenant will assume command and make the necessary decisions for the crew. Lieutenants also mentor junior officers in the Navy.

#21. Lieutenant Commander

Classification: Junior Officer
Monthly basic pay: $5,273.70

There is a difference between a lieutenant commander and a commander in the Navy. A lieutenant commander should not be mistaken for “Lieutenant” or “Commander”.

A lieutenant commander may be the executive officer or the department head of a destroyer.

#22. Commander

Classification: Senior officer
Monthly basic pay: $6,112.20

Generally, commanders captain Navy vessels such as destroyers, frigates, and submarines. Their job also involves leading aircraft squadrons as well as serving senior officers on large naval vessels.

#23. Captain

Classification: Senior officer
Monthly basic pay: $7,332.00

Generally, Captains are usually the acting commanding officers in aircraft carriers, carrier air wings, amphibious assault ships, SEAL groups, destroyer squadrons, etc.

#24. Rear Admiral Lower Half

Classification: Flag officer
Monthly basic pay: $9,668.40

A rear admiral has a higher rank in the Navy. Rear admirals can easily communicate with the commanding officers of any ship within the group.

Rear admirals are flag officers and their lower half can fly the rear admiral’s pennant over any base.

#25. Rear Admiral Upper Half

Classification: Flag officer
Monthly basic pay: $11,635.50

Rear admirals usually command Navy fleets, submarines, and air wings. They are also known as the rear admiral upper half.

#26. Vice Admiral

Classification: Flag officer
Monthly basic pay: $16,444.80

Generally, Vice Admirals are in control of the highest command in the Navy. There are commissioned officers in the Coast Guard or Navy, holding ranks higher than a rear admiral.

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#27. Admiral

Classification: Flag officer
Monthly basic pay: $16,974.90

In the United States Navy, an admiral is a four-star flag officer, which is the highest rank anyone can achieve.

#28. Fleet Admiral

Classification: Flag officer
Monthly basic pay: $16,974.90

With an insignia of 5 stars, the fleet admiral is the highest rank in the U.S. Navy.

Since Bull Halsey became a fleet admiral of the U.S. Navy during WWII, no one has assumed the position. The rank can only be used temporarily during a war.

Conclusion

There are several ranks in the Navy and we have shown you all of them. The pay grades for these ranks are different and so is the primary duty of the personnel.