Staff Sergeant (E-5) The Staff Sergeant (SSgt) is the first level of the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) ranks in the Air Force. The Staff Sergeant's considered a craftsman with specific NCO.
| E-5 Noncommissioned Officer, U.S. Air Force |
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- Between 1976 and 1991, the E-4 pay grade in the USAF was ‘split’. Upon reaching 3 years of service an Airman First Class (E-3) was promoted to Senior Airman (E-4). Upon completing 1 year as a Senior Airman they were eligible for promotion to E-4 Sergeant (colloquially referred to as “Buck Sergeant”).
- Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Marcus Hewett, 6th Air Refueling Squadron superintendent and flight engineer, poses for a photo Nov. 5, 2020, at Travis Air Force Base, California. Hewett received the Staff Sgt. “Red” Erwin Outstanding Career Enlisted Aviator of the Year Award on Sept.
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Air Force Ranks »Staff Sergeant Rank •SSgt Pay •SSgt Rank History•Promotion Information
E-5 Staff Sergeant -Noncommissioned Officer - U.S. Air Force Ranks
Staff Sergeant Air Force Military Ranks| Class | Noncommissioned Officer |
| Abbr. | SSgt |
| Title | Sergeant (last name) |
| Paygrade | E-5 (DoD Paygrade) OR-5 (NATO Code) |
| Basic Pay | $2,468/mo |
Staff Sergeant (SSgt) is the lowest Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) rank in the US Air Force. It is the rank just above Senior Airman and just below Technical Sergeant. Staff Sergeant is the first rank that promotion is done competitively; all lower ranks have automatic promotions based on the individual's time in service. The responsibilities of a SSgt are to maintain and improve their technical abilities and to supervise the work of their subordinates.
The Staff Sergeant's rank insignia is the same as the Senior Airman's, three silver, downward pointing chevrons outlined in blue with an encircled star at the point, but the SSgt's insignia has an additional curved chevron below the encircled star.
Staff Sergeant is the 5th rank in the United States Air Force, ranking above Senior Airman and directly below Technical Sergeant.A staff sergeant is a Noncommissioned Officer at DoD paygrade E-5, with a starting monthly pay of $2,468.
How do you become a Staff Sergeant?
A Staff Sergeant is most often promoted from Senior Airman (SrA), although promotion from lower paygrades may occur with sufficient display of leadership and experience. Click here to learn more about promotion to Staff Sergeant.
What is the proper way to address a Staff Sergeant?
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The correct way to address a Staff Sergeant named Mr. Smith is'Sergeant Smith', or written as SSgt Smith.In formal situations, a Staff Sergeant should always be addressed by their full rank.
How much does a Staff Sergeant earn?
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Basic pay for an entry-level Staff Sergeant with 2 or less years of experience is $2,467.50 per month.
A Staff Sergeant receives an automatic raise to their basic pay every one to two years.Basic pay is only a small percentage of a Staff Sergeant's final compensation package.
In addition to a monthly basic pay salary, a Air Force Staff Sergeant may be eligible for multiple types of allowances and bonus pay including personal money allowance, hostile fire pay, education allowance, hazard pay, and more.
For full details on the Air Force's Staff Sergeant compensation and retirement plan, visit the 2021 Air Force Staff Sergeant Pay Chart. A full table of the Air Force's current paygrades are available at the Air Force Pay Chart.
Equivalent Ranks to the Air Force's E-5 Staff Sergeant
To learn more about the Air Force's rank structure, see our complete list of Air Force ranks.
The Government civilian-employee equivalent of a Staff Sergeant is paid under the General Schedule payscale. For more details, see this Air Force rank to GS grade conversion table .
To see a list of military medals and decorations that can be earned by servicemembers in the Air Force and other branches of the military, see our list of military decorations and medals.
Pay and Benefits
We can only carry out our mission with the efforts and commitment of our Airmen. That’s why we continue to help them grow with advanced training, ongoing career opportunities and excellent pay and benefits.
BASE SALARY PLUS
EARN WHILE YOU TRAIN, EARN MORE WHILE YOU SERVE
In the Air Force, every Airman is paid equally based on their rank andyears of service. But your base salary is only part of the over-all packageyou receive. The moment you put on this uniform you’re also eligible toreceive additional compensation based on your job and where you arestationed as well as low-cost insurance, food and housing allowances, 30days vacation with pay yearly, tuition assistance, and a generousretirement package.
enlisted MONTHLY PAYMENT TABLE 2019
Base pay
Potential pay
Live chatE-1 Airman Basic
$1,733.10
Entry level
Air Force benefits
< 2 Years
$1,733.10*
2 Years
$1,733.10
3 Years
$1,733.10
4 Years
$1,733.10
6 Years
$1,733.10
* Pay for E-1 Airman Basic will be slightly lower for the first four months of service.
E-2 Airman
$1,942.50
Entry level
Air Force benefits
< 2 Years
$1,942.50
2 Years
$1,942.50
3 Years
$1,942.50
4 Years
$1,942.50
6 Years
$1,942.50
E-3 Airman First Class
$2,042.70
Entry level
Air Force benefits
< 2 Years
$2,042.70
2 Years
$2,171.10
3 Years
$2,302.80
4 Years
$2,302.80
6 Years
$2,302.80
E-4 Senior Airman
$2,262.60
Entry level
Air Force benefits
< 2 Years
$2,262.60
2 Years
$2,378.40
3 Years
$2,507.10
4 Years
$2,634.60
6 Years
$2,746.50
E-5 Staff Sergeant
$2,467.50
Entry level
Air Force E-4 Sgt
Air Force benefits
< 2 Years
$2,467.50
2 Years
$2,634.00
3 Years
$2,761.20
4 Years
$2,891.40
6 Years
$3,094.50
E-6 Technical Sergeant
$2,693.70
Entry level
Air Force benefits
< 2 Years
$2,693.70
2 Years
$2,964.30
3 Years
$3,095.10
4 Years
$3,222.30
6 Years
$3,354.90
E-7 Master Sergeant
$3,114.30
Entry level
Air Force benefits
< 2 Years
Air Force Ranks And Pay
$3,114.30
2 Years
$3,399.00
3 Years
$3,529.50
4 Years
$3,701.40
6 Years
$3,836.10
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Life on base
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Explore life on baseThe total package
- 01
Insurance
The Air Force provides our Airmen and their families with world-class insurance plans. They receive excellent rates, low cost, comprehensive medical and dental care at military or civilian facilities, full pay and allowances for sick days and low-cost life insurance.
- 02
FOOD AND HOUSING
The Air Force takes care of the basic needs of every Airman. Living expenses, including utilities and maintenance, are covered for those who choose to live in on-base housing. A monthly tax-free housing allowance based on rank, family status and geographic location is provided for off-base residents to help pay for living expenses.
Food allowances are also provided, and single Airmen have a meal account that allows them to eat as many as four meals a day in the on-base dining facility for free. Tax-free, on-base department and grocery stores also help costs to continue to stay low.
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RETIREMENT
The Air Force provides a generous retirement plan. Airmen are eligible to retire after 20 years of service and begin receiving benefits the day they retire. The Air Force retirement plan requires no payroll deductions. Those who’d like to save a little extra each month can take part in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)*, which allows participants to place a portion of their monthly pay into an account similar to a 401(k) investment plan.
*TSP contributions are considered pretax dollars and therefore reduce the amount of income subject to tax, and the accounts grow tax-free. Enrollment is available when members first join the military and anytime thereafter. Unlike traditional military retirement, which requires a commitment of at least 20 years of active duty, money invested in the TSP belongs to individual members, no matter how many years they serve. Income contributed to the TSP is not taxed until withdrawn from the account. Withdrawal before age 59½ may be subject to penalty; however, the TSP accounts can be rolled over into an IRA or another employer’s retirement account.
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RECREATION
Most Air Force bases have golf courses, arts and crafts facilities, bowling alleys, tennis courts, swimming pools and even equipment rentals, which can be either used for free or at better rates than similar facilities or options off base.
Every base is also equipped with social activities and recreational programs geared toward the interests of every family member. These include Enlisted and Officer Clubs, base sponsored youth activities and youth centers where children can spend time in a safe environment.
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VACATION AND TRAVEL
All Airmen receive 30 days of vacation with pay, during which they are free to travel and take time to explore local and foreign destinations. Airmen can take advantage of available space on Air Force aircraft to travel to many international destinations as well as almost any state in the U.S. For destinations near another military facility, they can enjoy hotel-quality lodging on base for a reduced cost.
- 06
Education
The Air Force offers an array of educational opportunities so you can achieve your true potential. On day one you’ll be enrolled in Community College of the Air Force earning college credit starting with Basic Military Training. The Air Force also offers scholarships to outstanding Airmen who wish to attend or complete their college education. Or you can receive up to 100% tuition assistance through the Air Force Tuition Assistance program, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, or the Montgomery GI Bill.
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In addition to a competitive salary and excellent healthcare, you’ll enjoy other benefits such as tuition assistance, 30 days of vacation with pay each year and more.
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