In the U.S. Navy , Airman is the enlisted rank that corresponds to the pay grade of E-3 in the Navy 's aviation field .
It is just below the rank of Petty Officer Third Class , pay grade E-4 .
In the U.S. Navy , Airman is the enlisted rank that corresponds to the pay grade of E-3 in the Navy 's aviation field , but it is just below the rank of Petty Officer Third Class , pay grade E-4 .