From what I can gather, Payne also didn't advance in the ranks... in fact, he's probably not even a genin (seeing as he was taught outside a village).although, he probably can give himself an honorary rank as a land lord.

ninja ranks are kind of like having a Extra curricular activities and recommendations on your resume, everybody has them, and it seems like the 'proper' way to get a job, but it can be ignored in favor of special achievements or good networking.