Which pay grade corresponds to Colonel/Captain?

• A. O-4
• B. O-5
• C. O-6
• D. O-7

Answer: (C)

Pay grades provide a common ladder across services for officers, so equivalent levels of leadership carry the same pay grade regardless of branch. Colonel in the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps and Captain in the Navy or Coast Guard are matched at the same level, O-6. This reflects their shared level of responsibility and seniority, even though their titles differ by service. The next higher grade is O-7, and the next lower is O-5.