This article is about ranks structure and pay scale of Pakistan Air Force.
The rank insignia of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is primarily based on the rank insignia of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force. Turkish rank insignia were adopted in contrast to British-based ones in 2006, when the PAF's insignia underwent an overhaul. The British ranking insignia were maintained, however.
Pakistan Air Force Rank structure is generally divided into three divisions.
- Non-Commissioned Officer (Airmen)
- Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO)
- Commissioned Officer
Pakistan Air Force Ranks List of Non-Commissioned Officers (Airmen):
- Aircraftman
- Leading Aircraftman
- Senior Aircraftman
- Junior Technician
- Corporal Technician
- Senior Technician
Pakistan Air Force Ranks List of Junior Commissioned Officers (JCO):
- Assistant Warrant Officer
- Warrant Officer
- Chief Warrant Officer
Pakistan Air Force Ranks List of Commissioned Officers:
- Officer Cadet
- Pilot Officer
- Flying Officer (GD Pilot)
- Flight Lieutenant
- Squadron Leader
- Wing Commander
- Group Captain
- Air Commodore (⭐️)
- Air Vice-Marshal (⭐️⭐️)
- Air Marshal (⭐️⭐️⭐️)
- Air Chief Marshal (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
- Marshal of the Air Force (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
Pakistan Air Force Ranks and Insignia/Badges:
The brief description about ranks and insignia of the Pakistan Air Force is given below:
Non-Commissioned Officer (Airmen):
Selected candidates for Airmen (Non-Commissioned Officer) are sent to Pre-Trade Training School PTTS (Kohat) for Basic Military Training. During training, the candidates for becoming professionals of needed and technical skills receive training.
Candidates moved to Karachi for technical training like electronics, Aeronautics, Logistics and Information Technology, and other waits at Kohat for further instruction including financing, accounting, and medical.
After completing the training, candidates got the rank of Aircraftman in the Pakistan Air Force. The following are the PAF Airmen ranks:
Aircraftman:
The Aircraftman is the lowest rank in Pak Air Force ranks list, and many other air forces of commonwealth countries, which is BPS-7 and is equal to a soldier in Pak Army. It is below the leading Aircraftman.
Leading Aircraftman:
After getting promotion, the Aircraftman becomes the Leading Aircraftman, which is between the Aircraftman and Senior Aircraftman in the Pak Air Force ranks list. The rank of Leading Aircraftman is equal to the Lance Havildar in and BPS-8.
Senior Aircraftman:
Senior Aircraftman is the rank between Junior Technician and Leading Aircraftman (PAF ranks list) and is equal to Havildar in the Pak Army. The PayScale of Senior Aircraftman is BPS-9.
Junior Technician:
The technician position in the Pakistan Air Force is considered a junior rank compared to both senior aircraftman and physical technician in Pakistan Air Force ranks list. Since 2006, it has been represented by a single chevron underneath an eagle with outstretched wings. The rank of Junior Technician is equivalent to Company Quartermaster Havildar and payscale is BPS-10.
Corporal Technician:
Corporal technician is a rank in the Pakistan Air Force and a former rank in the British Royal Air Force, below senior technician and above junior technician. It corresponds to the Pakistan Army's Company Havildar Major and the Pakistan Navy's Leading Rate. Corporal Technician has a pay scale of BPS-11.
Senior Technician:
In the Pakistan Air Force, Senior Technician is above Corporal Technician and below the Assistant Warrant Officer. It is comparable to Battalion Quartermaster Havildar. The pay scale of Senior Technician is BPS-12.
Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO):
Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) is a term comprising a group of military ranks that is higher than that of havildar (non-commissioned officer) and lower than that of lieutenant (commissioned officer). The term is used by Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. Senior havildars are promoted to JCO rank on the basis of merit and seniority, subject to the number of vacancies. The JCOs are treated as a distinct class and possess extra privileges. It has been used in India, Pakistan, and also by the Indian and Pakistani armed forces to describe the members of the Chief Petty Officer and Warrant Officer staffs since the 1960s.
Assistant Warrant Officer:
Assistant warrant officer is a rank in the Pakistan Air Force above chief technician and below warrant officer in PAF ranks list. It is equivalent to the Pakistan Army's naib Subedar and the Pakistan Navy's chief petty officer. The pay scale of Assistant warrant officer is BPS-14.
Warrant Officer:
Warrant Officer is the 2nd Junior Commissioned rank in the Pakistan Air Force above Assistant warrant officer and below Chief warrant officer in Pakistan Air Force ranks list. It is equivalent to the Pakistan Army's Subedar and the Pakistan Navy's Fleet chief Petty Officer. The pay scale of Assistant Warrant Officer is BPS-15.
Chief Warrant Officer:
Warrant Officer is the highest Junior Commissioned rank in the Pakistan Air Force which is equivalent to the Pakistan Army's Subedar Major and the Pakistan Navy's Master chief Petty Officer. The pay scale of Assistant Warrant Officer is BPS-16.
Commissioned Officers:
A commissioned officer in the Pakistan Air Force is an officer who has received a commission, which is a formal document that grants the officer authority to supervise and direct soldiers. Commissioned officers in the PAF are responsible for leading and training soldiers, preparing and executing military operations, and representing the Army in a variety of circumstances, including during discussions and diplomatic occasions. They generally hold ranks such as Second Lieutenant, Captain, Major, and Lieutenant Colonel, and may be assigned to a variety of units within the Army, including infantry, armor, artillery, and special forces. Commissioned officers in the Pakistan Army are typically highly educated and have experienced precise training in military tactics, leadership, and strategy.
Officer Cadet:
Of those in the Pakistani Armed Forces, the Army has potential servicemen who train to become officers at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) are known as Gentlemen Cadets or Officer Cadets. Gentlemen Cadets join PMA Kakul either as a direct access to civilian schools or after an experience going through an Inter Services Selection Board.
Pilot Officer:
Pilot Officer is a Commissioned Officer of PAF. It is senior rank to Officer Cadet and equivalent to Second Lieutenant in Pakistan Army and Midshipman in Navy, the payscale of a Pilot Officer is BPS-17.
Flying Officer or General Duty Pilot (GD Pilot):
Pilot Officer or General Duty Pilot is a Commissioned Officer of PAF. It is senior rank to Pilot Officer (in Pakistan Air Force ranks list) and equivalent to Lieutenant in Pakistan Army and Sub Lieutenant in Navy, The payscale of a Pilot Officer is BPS-17.
Flight Lieutenant:
Flight Lieutenant is a higher rank than Pilot Officer or General Duty Pilot (in Pakistan Air Force ranks list). It is equivalent to Captain in the Pak Army and Lieutenant in the Pak Navy. The pay scale of Flight Lieutenant is BPS-17.
Squadron Leader:
An air force Squadron Leader ranks above flight lieutenant and immediately below wing commander (in PAF ranks list) and it is the most junior of the senior officer ranks. It is equivalent to the Major in the army and Lieutenant Commander in the Navy. The pay scale of a squadron leader is BPS-18.
Wing Commander:
An air force Wing Commander ranks above Squadron Leader and below the Group Captain in Pakistan Air Force ranks list. It is equivalent to the Lieutenant Colonel in the army and Commander in the Navy. The pay scale of a squadron leader is BPS-19.
Group Captain:
An air force Group Captain ranks above Wing Commander and below the Air Commodore in PAF ranks list. It is equivalent to the Colonel in the army and Captain in the Navy. The pay scale of a squadron leader is BPS-21.
Air Commodore (⭐️):
Air Commodore is a one-star rank. It is a powerful rank. It ranks above Group Captain and below the Air Vice-Marshal in Pakistan Air Force ranks list. It is equivalent to the Brigadier in the army and Commodore in the Navy. The pay scale of an Air Commodore rank is BPS-20.
Air Vice-Marshal (⭐️⭐️):
Air Vice-Marshal is a two-star rank. It is a more powerful rank than Air Commodore. It ranks above Air Commodore and below the Air Marshal. It is equivalent to the Major General in the army and Rear Admiral in the Navy. The pay scale of an Air Commodore rank is BPS-21.
Air Marshal (⭐️⭐️⭐️):
Air Vice-Marshal is a three-star rank. It is a more powerful rank than Air Vice-Marshal. It ranks above Air Commodore and below the Air Marshal. It is equivalent to the Lieutenant General in the army and Vice Admiral in the Navy. The pay scale of an Air Commodore rank is BPS-22.
Air Chief Marshal (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️):
Air Chief Marshal is a four-star commissioned air officer rank and title officially used to denote supreme commander in the Pakistan Air Force for command and control. It is bestowed and commissioned by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to a three-star air marshal officer, and while it is officially described as the highest rank in uniformed services of Pakistan, it is equivalent to the rank of admiral of navy and general of army. The pay scale (salary) of an Air Chief Marshal rank is BPS Apex.
Marshal of the Air Force (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️):
Marshal of the Air Force or Marshal of the Air is a five-star rank. It is the highest Official Rank of Pakistan Air Force, often termed as the most powerful and senior rank in an Air Force. It is Equivalent to the Field Marshal of the Army and Admiral of the Fleet in the Navy. The pay scale (salary) of the highest and most the powerful rank in Pakistan Air Force is BPS Apex.
Salary Chart of the PAF officers:
| Rank | Salary |
| Pilot Officer | 45000 to 55000 |
| Flying Officer | 55000 to 65000 |
| Flight Lieutenant | 65000 to 75000 |
| Squadron Lieutenant | 80000 to 90000 |
| Wing Commander | 90000 to 95000 |
| Group Captain | 90000 to 95000 |
| Air Commodore | 150000 to 160000 |
| Air Vice-Marshal | 170000 to 200000 |
| Air Marshal | 210000 to 250000 |
| Air Chief Marshal | 250000 to 280000 |