Defending the United States of America comes at a cost. In 2023, the Department of Defense’s budget was $816.7 billion. That number covers the salary of six branches of the military as well as maintaining arms, facilities, development of new technologies and other defense related initiatives.
Military salaries have increased recently. In 2023, military members across all branches received a 4.6% raise. Basic pay was raised again in 2024 with a 5.2% increase – the highest increase of the past two decades. Other allowances also increased in 2024, all aimed to address the rising cost of living. (Click here to see how the US military budget has skyrocketed over the years.)
It is important to note that these are basic pays. In addition to basic pay all soldiers receive basic allowance for subsistence and other allowances that may depend on the chosen career path. These include clothing monetary allowances, aviation incentive pays, career sea pays, hazardous duty incentive pays, incentives for health professions officers, and more.
Making the lowest wages are enlisted personnel at E-1 to E-3 / E-4 pay grades. These service members are usually either in some kind of training (basic or specialized) or on their initial assignment. The highest paid military personnel are commissioned officers O-6 and higher. These generals and flag officers, who have 20 years of experience or more and vast amounts of personnel under their command can make over $200,000 a year in basic pay. To compare, the average CEO pay is $258,900, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Another notable distinction is that the O-1E to O-3E officers – those with previous enlisted active-duty service – get paid extra in acknowledgement of their service time and experience. (Click here to see the newest American military base in the United States.)
To find how much American soldiers make at each pay grade, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed 2024 basic pay tables from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service for the Department of Defense. Pay grades are ordered by the maximum possible annual base pay (we used the monthly pay to calculate annual pay), with the minimum used as tie breaker. Comparable ranks for each pay grade also came from the DOD.
Why It Matters
24/7 is providing an overview of the basic pay of military members to keep readers informed on how the defense of the United States is financed. During fiscal year 2023, the military services collectively missed recruiting goals by about 41,000 recruits, the DOD noted recently. Adequate pay is one aspect in the military’s ability to attract new recruits. While initial pays may seem low, these are basic pays and do not include any allowances many personnel received, in addition to different benefits and career training.
29. Academy Cadets, Midshipmen, and ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps)
Academy Cadets, Midshipmen, and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (also known as ROTC) have a basic pay of $1,339.50 per month. That translates to $16,074.00 annually.
28. E-1 <4 mos
Basic pay for military members that are in the enlisted – 1 category with less than 4 months of service is $1,865.10 per month, or $22,381.20 annually. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Private; Marine Corps: Private; Navy: Seaman Recruit (SR); and Air Force: Airman Basic.
27. E-1 >4 mos
26. E-2
Basic pay for military members that are in the enlisted – 2 category is $2,261.10 per month, or $27,133.20 annually. If a military member stays in the enlisted – 2 category, their annual basic pay stays the same, even with 40 years of service. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Private (PV2); Marine Corps: Private First Class (PFC); Navy: Seaman Apprentice (SA); and Air Force: Airman (Amn).
25. E-3
24. E-4
Basic pay for military members that are in the enlisted – 4 category that have less than 2 years of service is $2,633.70 per month, or $31,604.40 annually. If a military member serves more than 4 years in the enlisted – 4 category, their annual basic pay increases to $36,795.60. The basic pay increases again to $3,197.40 per month, or $38,368.80 annually, with over 10 years of service. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Corporal (CPL) / Specialist (SPC); Marine Corps: Corporal (Cpl); Navy: Petty Officer Third Class (PO3); and Air Force: Senior Airman (SrA).
23. E-5
Basic pay for military members that are in the enlisted – 5 category that have less than 2 years of service is $2,872.20 per month, or $34,466.40 annually. If a military member serves more than 4 years in the enlisted – 5 category, their annual basic pay increases to $40,388.40. The basic pay increases again to $48,625.20 with over 10 years of service and hits $4,076.40 per month, or $48,916.80 annually, with over 20 years of service. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Sergeant (SGT); Marine Corps: Sergeant (Sgt); Navy: Petty Officer Second Class (PO2); and Air Force: Staff Sergeant (SSgt).
22. O-1
Basic pay for military members that are in the commissioned officers – 1 category that have less than 2 years of service is $3,826.20 per month, or $45,914.40 annually. If a military member serves more than 4 years in this category, their annual basic pay increases to $4,814.70 per month, or $57,776.40 annually. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Second Lieutenant 2LT; Marine Corps: Second Lieutenant 2ndLt; Navy: Ensign ENS; and Air Force: Second Lieutenant 2d Lt.
21. E-6
20. O-1E
Basic pay for military members that are in the commissioned officers – 1E category that 4 years of service is $4,814.70 per month, or $57,776.40 annually. If a military member serves over 10 years in this category, their annual basic pay increases to $71,737.20, or $5,978.10 per month. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Second Lieutenant 2LT; Marine Corps: Second Lieutenant 2ndLt; Navy: Ensign ENS; and Air Force: Second Lieutenant 2d Lt.
19. O-2
Basic pay for military members that are in the commissioned officers – 2 category that have less than 2 years of service is $4,408.50 per month, or $52,902.00 annually. If a military member serves more than 4 years in this category, their annual basic pay increases to $71,737.20. The basic pay increases again to $6,100.80 per month, or $73,209.60 annually, with over 20 years of service. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: First Lieutenant 1LT; Marine Corps: First Lieutenant 1st Lt; Navy: Lieutenant Junior Grade LTJG; and Air Force: First Lieutenant 1st Lt.
18. W-1
Basic pay for military members that are in the warrant officers – 1 category that have less than 2 years of service is $3,739.80 per month, or $44,877.60 annually. If a military member serves more than 4 years in this category, their annual basic pay increases to $53,755.20. The basic pay increases again to $64,011.60 annually with over 10 years of service and hits $6,462.90 per month, or $77,554.80 annually, with over 20 years of service. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Warrant Officer 1 WO1; Marine Corps: Warrant Officer 1 WO; and Navy: USN Warrant Officer 1 WO1.
17. E-7
Basic pay for military members that are in the enlisted – 7 category that have less than 2 years of service is $3,624.90 per month, or $43,498.80 annually. If a military member serves more than 4 years in this category, their annual basic pay increases to $51,699.60. The basic pay increases again to $58,636.80 annually with over 10 years of service and moves to $69,094.80 annually with over 20 years of service. It finally hits $6,515.70 per month, or $78,188.40 annually, with over 40 years of service. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Sergeant First Class (SFC); Marine Corps: Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt); Navy: Chief Petty Officer (CPO); and Air Force: Master Sergeant (MSgt) / First Sergeant.
16. O-2E
Basic pay for military members that are in the commissioned officers – 2E category with 4 years of service is $5,978.10 per month, or $71,737.20 annually. If a military member serves more than 10 years in this category, their annual basic pay increases to $84,780.00 or $7,065.00 per month. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: First Lieutenant 1LT; Marine Corps: First Lieutenant 1stLt; Navy: Lieutenant Junior Grade LTJG; and Air Force: First Lieutenant 1st Lt.
15. W-2
Basic pay for military members that are in the warrant officers – 2 category that have less than 2 years of service is $4,260.90 per month, or $51,130.80 annually. If a military member serves more than 4 years in this category, their annual basic pay increases to $58,478.40. The basic pay increases again to $69,501.60 annually with over 10 years of service and moves to $82,274.40 annually with over 20 years of service. It finally hits $7,111.80 per month, or $85,341.60 annually, with over 40 years of service. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Chief Warrant Officer 2 CW2; Marine Corps: Chief Warrant Officer 2 CWO2; and Navy: USN Chief Warrant Officer 2 CWO2.
14. E-8
Basic pay for military members that are in the enlisted – 8 category that have a minimum of 8 years of service is $5,214.90 per month, or $62,578.80 annually. If a military member serves more than 10 years in this category, their annual basic pay increases to $65,347.20. The basic pay increases again to $77,389.20 annually with over 20 years of service and moves to $7,437.30 per month, or $89,247.60 annually with over 40 years of service. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Master Sergeant (MSG) / First Sergeant (1SG); Marine Corps: Master Sergeant (MSgt) / First Sergeant; Navy: Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO); and Air Force: Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) / First Sergeant.
13. O-3
Basic pay for military members that are in the commissioned officers – 3 category that have less than 2 years of service is $5,102.10 per month, or $61,225.20 annually. If a military member serves more than 4 years in this category, their annual basic pay increases to $81,673.20. The basic pay increases again to $92,660.40 annually with over 10 years of service and moves to $99,612.00 annually with over 20 years of service. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Captain CPT; Marine Corps: Captain Capt; Navy: Lieutenant LT; and Air Force: Captain Capt.
12. W-3
Basic pay for military members that are in the warrant officers – 3 category that have less than 2 years of service is $4,815.60 per month, or $57,787.20 annually. If a military member serves more than 4 years in this category, their annual basic pay increases to $63,468.00. The basic pay increases again to $76,449.60 annually with over 10 years of service and moves to $93,776.40 annually with over 20 years of service. It finally hits $8,447.10 per month, or $101,365.20 annually, with over 40 years of service. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Chief Warrant Officer 3 CW3; Marine Corps: Chief Warrant Officer 3 CWO3; and Navy: USN Chief Warrant Officer 3 CWO3.
11. O-3E
Basic pay for military members that are in the commissioned officers – 3E category that have 4 years of service is $6,806.10 per month, or $81,673.20 annually. If a military member serves more than 10 years in this category, their annual basic pay increases to $103,294.80. The basic pay increases again to $8,859.00 per month, or $106,308.00 annually with over 20 years of service. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Captain CPT; Marine Corps: Captain Capt; Navy: Lieutenant LT; and Air Force: Captain Capt.
10. O-4
Basic pay for military members that are in the commissioned officers – 4 category that have less than 2 years of service is $5,803.20 per month, or $69,638.40 annually. If a military member serves more than 4 years in this category, their annual basic pay increases to $87,184.80. The basic pay increases again to $104,209.20 annually with over 10 years of service. It finally hits $9,689.10 per month, or $116,269.20 annually, with over 20 years of service. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Major MAJ; Marine Corps: Major Maj; Navy: Lieutenant Commander LCDR; and Air Force: Major Maj.
9. W-4
Basic pay for military members that are in the warrant officers – 4 category that have less than 2 years of service is $5,273.10 per month, or $63,277.20 annually. If a military member serves more than 4 years in this category, their annual basic pay increases to $71,935.20. The basic pay increases again to $81,842.40 annually with over 10 years of service. It increases again to $102,099.60 annually with over 20 years of service and finally hits $9,821.70 per month, or $117,860.40 annually, with over 40 years of service. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Chief Warrant Officer 4 CW4; Marine Corps: Chief Warrant Officer 4 CWO4; and Navy: USN Chief Warrant Officer 4 CWO4.
8. E-9
Basic pay for military members that are in the enlisted – 9 category that have a minimum of 10 years of service is $6,370.50 per month, or $76,446.00 annually. If a military member serves more than 20 years in this category, their annual basic pay increases to $89,665.20. It finally hits $9,891.30 per month, or $118,695.60 annually, with over 40 years of service. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Sergeant Major (SGM) / Command Sergeant Major (CSM); Marine Corps: Master Gunnery Sergeant (MGySgt) / Sergeant Major (SgtMaj); Navy: Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO) / Fleet/Command Master Chief Petty Officer ; and Air Force: Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt) / First Sergeant / Command Chief Master Sergeant.
7. O-5
Basic pay for military members that are in the commissioned officers – 5 category that have less than 2 years of service is $6,725.70 per month, or $80,708.40 annually. If a military member serves more than 4 years in this category, their annual basic pay increases to $98,395.20. The basic pay increases again to $109,836.00 annually with over 10 years of service and increases again to $133,117.20 annually with over 20 years of service. It finally hits $11,426.70 per month, or $137,120.40 annually, with over 40 years of service. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Lieutenant Colonel LTC; Marine Corps: Lieutenant Colonel LtCol; Navy: Commander CDR; and Air Force: Lieutenant Colonel Lt Col.
6. W-5
Basic pay for military members that are in the warrant officers – 5 category that have a minimum of 20 years of service is $9,375.60 per month, or $112,507.20 annually. If a military member serves more than 40 years in this category, their annual basic pay increases to $147,229.20, or $12,269.10 per month. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Chief Warrant Officer 5 CW5; Marine Corps: Chief Warrant Officer 5 CWO5; and Navy: USN Chief Warrant Officer 5 CWO5.
5. O-6
Basic pay for military members that are in the commissioned officers – 6 category that have less than 2 years of service is $8,067.90 per month, or $96,814.80 annually. If a military member serves more than 4 years in this category, their annual basic pay increases to $113,338.80. The basic pay increases again to $119,296.80 annually with over 10 years of service and increases again to $152,125.20 annually with over 20 years of service. It finally hits $14,282.40 per month, or $171,388.80 annually, with over 40 years of service. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Colonel COL; Marine Corps: Colonel Col; Navy: Captain CAPT; and Air Force: Colonel Col.
4. O-7
Basic pay for military members that are in the commissioned officers – 7 category that have less than 2 years of service is $10,638.90 per month, or $127,666.80 annually. If a military member serves more than 4 years in this category, their annual basic pay increases to $138,528.00. The basic pay increases again to $150,890.40 annually with over 10 years of service and increases again to $186,051.60 annually with over 20 years of service. It finally hits $15,895.80 per month, or $190,749.60 annually, with over 40 years of service. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Brigadier General BG; Marine Corps: Brigadier General BGen; Navy: Rear Admiral Lower Half RDML; and Air Force: Brigadier General Brig Gen.
3. O-8
Basic pay for military members that are in the commissioned officers – 8 category that have less than 2 years of service is $12,803.70 per month, or $153,644.40 annually. If a military member serves more than 4 years in this category, their annual basic pay increases to $162,950.40. The basic pay increases again to $175,701.60 annually with over 10 years of service and increases again to $205,747.20 annually with over 20 years of service. It finally hits $18,458.10 per month, or $221,497.20 annually, with over 40 years of service. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Major General MG; Marine Corps: Major General MajGen; Navy: Rear Admiral Upper Half RADM; and Air Force: Major General Maj Gen.
2. O-9
Basic pay for military members that are in the commissioned officers – 9 category that have a minimum of 20 years of service is $18,096.00 per month, or $217,152.00 annually. It increases to $18,491.70 per month, or $221,900.40 annually, with over 40 years of service. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: Lieutenant General LTG; Marine Corps: Lieutenant General LtGen; Navy: Vice Admiral VADM; and Air Force: Lieutenant General Lt Gen.
1. O-10
Basic pay for military members that are in the commissioned officers – 10 category that a minimum of 20 years of service is $18,491.70 per month, or $221,900.40 annually. If a military member serves more than 40 years in this category, their annual basic pay increases to $221,900.40, or $18,491.70. Examples of rank by military branch are as follows: Army: General GEN; Marine Corps: General Gen; Navy: Admiral ADM; and Air Force: General Gen.
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