Which pay grade corresponds to the rank Private First Class/Seaman Apprentice?

• A. E-1
• B. E-2
• C. E-3
• D. E-4

Answer: (B)

Pay grades are the ladder that defines enlisted pay across the services, with E-1 at the bottom and higher numbers representing higher levels. The number after the E indicates the level of seniority, not the exact job title. Private First Class in the Marine Corps and Seaman Apprentice in the Navy are at the same pay grade—the second enlisted level. This means, despite different service-specific titles, they share the same pay scale position, which is why the correct match is the second enlisted pay grade. This cross-branch equivalence is exactly what the question is testing.