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Pay grade	E-9			E-8		E-7	E-6	E-5	E-4	E-3	E-2	E-1
Insignia												No Insignia
Title	Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps	Sergeant Major	Master Gunnery Sergeant	First Sergeant	Master Sergeant	Gunnery Sergeant	Staff Sergeant	Sergeant	Corporal	Lance Corporal	Private First Class	Private
Abbreviation	SgtMajMC	SgtMaj	MGySgt	1st Sgt	MSgt	GySgt	SSgt	Sgt	Cpl	LCpl	PFC	Pvt
NATO Code	OR-9	OR-9	OR-9	OR-8	OR-8	OR-7	OR-6	OR-5	OR-4	OR-3	OR-2	OR-1

This chart represents the U.S. Marine Corps enlisted rank insignia with seniority increasing right-to-left inside a given pay grade. Ranks E-4 and E-5 are non-commissioned officers (NCOs). Ranks E-6 and above are staff non-commissioned officers (SNCOs).

The gold stripes on red flash are worn on the Dress Blue coat. Green stripes on red flash are worn on the Service "A" uniform coat. The stripes are worn on the upper sleeve of both coats. The khaki uniforms use green stripes, and again are worn on the upper sleeves. Combat uniform rank insignia are black metal pins and are worn on the collars. They follow the same pattern, but connect the chevrons and rockers with vertical bars, and all ranks except Private and Private First Class have the crossed rifles or other interior compartment device connected to the lowest chevron.

Unlike other branches of the military, it is incorrect to refer to enlisted Marines above the rank of Sergeant as "Sergeant". For instance, even informally a Marine Staff Sergeant will be called "Staff Sergeant Jones" rather than "Sergeant Jones". Similarly, Lance Corporal is never shortened to "Corporal" when addressing a Marine of this rank, nor is a Private First Class properly addressed as Private as he or she would be in the Army.

The Marine Corps has multiple ranks at two of the same pay grades. Master Sergeants and First Sergeants are at the same pay grade (E-8) while Master Gunnery Sergeants, Sergeants Major, and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps are at the same pay grade (E-9). Each individual may hold only one rank at each pay grade. Whether one is a Master Sergeant or a First Sergeant depends on their occupational training and career choices.

The rank of Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps signifies the senior enlisted person in the entire Marine Corps. They serve as the chief representative to the higher levels of the service, particularly the Commandant of the Marine Corps, for enlisted affairs. Only one person holds the rank of Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps at any time.