'Head squad leader') was a Nazi paramilitary rank which was used by the Schutzstaffel (SS) between the years of 1934 and 1945.

[3] The first use of Hauptscharführer was in June 1934 when the rank replaced the older SA title of Obertruppführer.

[4] Within the Allgemeine-SS (general-SS), a Hauptscharführer was typically the head SS-non-commissioned officer of an SS-Sturm (company) or was a rank used by enlisted staff personnel assigned to an SS headquarters office or security agency (such as the Gestapo and Sicherheitsdienst (SD)).

[1] Those holding the Waffen-SS rank of Hauptscharführer were typically also granted the title of Stabsscharführer, which was an appointment held by the senior SS non-commissioned officer of a company, battalion, or regiment.

[3] On field grey uniforms, the rank was worn with silver collar piping and the Wehrmacht shoulder boards of an Oberfeldwebel.