Reviewed by Jonathan Teplitsky · Updated July 2026
Marine Corps ranks in order (lowest to highest)
The Marine Corps has enlisted (E-1–E-9), warrant officer (W-1–W-5), and commissioned officer (O-1–O-10) tracks. As in the other services, pay grade and years of service — not the rank title — set base pay.
Enlisted ranks (E-1–E-9)
| Grade | Rank | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | Private | Pvt |
| E-2 | Private First Class | PFC |
| E-3 | Lance Corporal | LCpl |
| E-4 | Corporal | Cpl |
| E-5 | Sergeant | Sgt |
| E-6 | Staff Sergeant | SSgt |
| E-7 | Gunnery Sergeant | GySgt |
| E-8 | Master Sergeant / First Sergeant | MSgt / 1stSgt |
| E-9 | Master Gunnery Sergeant / Sergeant Major | MGySgt / SgtMaj |
Corporal (E-4) is the first non-commissioned officer (NCO) grade. E-8 and E-9 each split into two career tracks at the same pay grade: First Sergeant and Sergeant Major lead Marines directly in a command billet, while Master Sergeant and Master Gunnery Sergeant serve as senior technical experts in their occupational specialty. The single senior-most enlisted Marine, the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (SMMC), advises the Commandant.
Warrant officer ranks (WO1–CWO5)
Marine Corps warrant officers run Warrant Officer 1 through Chief Warrant Officer 5. Like the Army's warrant track, they are technical specialists — common in fields like logistics, intelligence, and aviation maintenance — who typically transition from senior enlisted ranks rather than commissioning directly.
Officer ranks (O-1–O-10)
| Grade | Rank | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| O-1 | Second Lieutenant | 2ndLt |
| O-2 | First Lieutenant | 1stLt |
| O-3 | Captain | Capt |
| O-4 | Major | Maj |
| O-5 | Lieutenant Colonel | LtCol |
| O-6 | Colonel | Col |
| O-7 | Brigadier General | BGen |
| O-8 | Major General | MajGen |
| O-9 | Lieutenant General | LtGen |
| O-10 | General | Gen |
Four-star General (O-10) is the highest rank normally held, and the position of Commandant of the Marine Corps carries this rank. Unlike the Army and Air Force, the Marine Corps has no wartime five-star rank — no Marine has ever held a rank above four-star General.
How rank ties to pay
See the USMC pay chart for exact monthly base pay by grade and years of service, or run your own numbers with the Marine Corps pay calculator.
Other branch rank charts
See how the Marine Corps' rank structure compares to the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force.
Sources
Frequently asked questions about Marine Corps ranks
What are the Marine Corps ranks in order? Private through Sergeant Major/Master Gunnery Sergeant (enlisted), then Second Lieutenant through General (officer).
Highest Marine Corps rank? General (O-10), four stars — the Commandant's rank. No 5-star equivalent exists.
What rank is Lance Corporal? E-3, between Private First Class and Corporal.
Master Sergeant vs. Master Gunnery Sergeant? Same E-9 pay grade, different tracks — command leadership vs. senior technical expert.