When you think of the military, you likely picture a group dressed in camo gear and weapons, ready to fight in combat. However, the military comprises a wide range of roles, with many that go beyond physical fighting. From engineers to analysts, the U.S. military employs thousands of individuals who work to protect the nation on a variety of different levels. At its core, however, the American soldiers who serve on the ground hold some of the toughest jobs out there. (This is every country where U.S. soldiers are deployed.)
Even when solely looking at military positions taken on by American soldiers, a huge range of jobs exists, and yearly pay can vary drastically amid a large range of salaries and overall incomes. The lowest earners are newly enlisted personnel, whether completing basic training or beginning their first assignments. Meanwhile, generals with a few dozen years of experience often make beyond $200,000. (These are the most elite special forces in the U.S. military.)
To find how much American soldiers make at each pay grade, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed 2024 None 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 a tie-breaker. Comparable ranks for each pay grade also came from the None.
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, according to the DOD. Adequate pay is one aspect of the military’s ability to attract new recruits. While initial pay may seem low, these are basic pay and do not include any allowances many personnel receive, in addition to different benefits and career training.
29. Academy Cadets, Midshipmen, and ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps)
- Pay: $1,339.50 a month or $16,074.00 a year
- Pay with 40 years of service: N/A
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: N/A
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: N/A
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: N/A
28. E-1 <4 mos
- Pay with <4 mos yrs of service: $1,865.10 a month or $22,381.20 a year
- Pay with 40 years of service: N/A
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: N/A
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: N/A
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: N/A
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Private; Marine Corps: Private; Navy: Seaman Recruit (SR); Air Force: Airman Basic
27. E-1 >4 mos
- Pay with <2 yrs of service: $2,017.20 a month or $24,206.40 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $2,017.20 a month or $24,206.40 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $24,206.40
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $24,206.40
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $24,206.40
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Private; Marine Corps: Private; Navy: Seaman Recruit (SR); Air Force: Airman Basic
26. E-2
- Pay with <2 yrs of service: $2,261.10 a month or $27,133.20 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $2,261.10 a month or $27,133.20 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $27,133.20
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $27,133.20
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $27,133.20
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Private (PV2); Marine Corps: Private First Class (PFC); Navy: Seaman Apprentice (SA); Air Force: Airman (Amn)
25. E-3
- Pay with <2 yrs of service: $2,377.50 a month or $28,530.00 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $2,680.20 a month or $32,162.40 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $32,162.40
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $32,162.40
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $32,162.40
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Private First Class (PFC); Marine Corps: Lance Corporal (LCpl); Navy: Seaman (SN); Air Force: Airman First Class (A1C)
24. E-4
- Pay with <2 yrs of service: $2,633.70 a month or $31,604.40 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $3,197.40 a month or $38,368.80 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $36,795.60
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $38,368.80
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $38,368.80
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Corporal (CPL) / Specialist (SPC); Marine Corps: Corporal (Cpl); Navy: Petty Officer Third Class (PO3); Air Force: Senior Airman (SrA)
23. E-5
- Pay with <2 yrs of service: $2,872.20 a month or $34,466.40 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $4,076.40 a month or $48,916.80 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $40,388.40
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $48,625.20
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $48,916.80
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Sergeant (SGT); Marine Corps: Sergeant (Sgt); Navy: Petty Officer Second Class (PO2); Air Force: Staff Sergeant (SSgt)
22. O-1
- Pay with <2 yrs of service: $3,826.20 a month or $45,914.40 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $4,814.70 a month or $57,776.40 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $57,776.40
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $57,776.40
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $57,776.40
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Second Lieutenant 2LT; Marine Corps: Second Lieutenant 2ndLt; Navy: Ensign ENS; Air Force: Second Lieutenant 2d Lt
21. E-6
- Pay with <2 yrs of service: $3,135.60 a month or $37,627.20 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $4,856.40 a month or $58,276.80 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $45,010.80
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $52,653.60
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $58,276.80
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Staff Sergeant (SSG); Marine Corps: Staff Sergeant (SSgt); Navy: Petty Officer First Class (PO1); Air Force: Technical Sergeant (TSgt)
20. O-1E
- Pay with 4 yrs of service: $4,814.70 a month or $57,776.40 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $5,978.10 a month or $71,737.20 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $57,776.40
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $71,737.20
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $71,737.20
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Second Lieutenant 2LT; Marine Corps: Second Lieutenant 2ndLt; Navy: Ensign ENS; Air Force: Second Lieutenant 2d Lt
19. O-2
- Pay with <2 yrs of service: $4,408.50 a month or $52,902.00 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $6,100.80 a month or $73,209.60 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $71,737.20
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $73,209.60
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $73,209.60
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: First Lieutenant 1LT; Marine Corps: First Lieutenant 1stLt; Navy: Lieutenant Junior Grade LTJG; Air Force: First Lieutenant 1st Lt
18. W-1
- Pay with <2 yrs of service: $3,739.80 a month or $44,877.60 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $6,462.90 a month or $77,554.80 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $53,755.20
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $64,011.60
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $77,554.80
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Warrant Officer 1 WO1; Marine Corps: Warrant Officer 1 WO; Navy: USN Warrant Officer 1 WO1; Air Force: N/A
17. E-7
- Pay with <2 yrs of service: $3,624.90 a month or $43,498.80 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $6,515.70 a month or $78,188.40 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $51,699.60
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $58,636.80
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $69,094.80
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Sergeant First Class (SFC); Marine Corps: Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt); Navy: Chief Petty Officer (CPO); Air Force: Master Sergeant (MSgt) / First Sergeant
16. O-2E
- Pay with 4 yrs of service: $5,978.10 a month or $71,737.20 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $7,065.00 a month or $84,780.00 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $71,737.20
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $84,780.00
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $84,780.00
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: First Lieutenant 1LT; Marine Corps: First Lieutenant 1stLt; Navy: Lieutenant Junior Grade LTJG; Air Force: First Lieutenant 1st Lt
15. W-2
- Pay with <2 yrs of service: $4,260.90 a month or $51,130.80 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $7,111.80 a month or $85,341.60 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $58,478.40
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $69,501.60
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $82,274.40
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Chief Warrant Officer 2 CW2; Marine Corps: Chief Warrant Officer 2 CWO2; Navy: USN Chief Warrant Officer 2 CWO2; Air Force: N/A
14. E-8
- Pay with 8 yrs of service (min required): $5,214.90 a month or $62,578.80 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $7,437.30 a month or $89,247.60 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $0.00
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $65,347.20
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $77,389.20
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Master Sergeant (MSG) / First Sergeant (1SG); Marine Corps: Master Sergeant (MSgt) / First Sergeant; Navy: Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO); Air Force: Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) / First Sergeant
13. O-3
- Pay with <2 yrs of service: $5,102.10 a month or $61,225.20 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $8,301.00 a month or $99,612.00 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $81,673.20
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $92,660.40
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $99,612.00
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Captain CPT; Marine Corps: Captain Capt; Navy: Lieutenant LT; Air Force: Captain Capt
12. W-3
- Pay with <2 yrs of service: $4,815.60 a month or $57,787.20 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $8,447.10 a month or $101,365.20 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $63,468.00
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $76,449.60
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $93,776.40
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Chief Warrant Officer 3 CW3; Marine Corps: Chief Warrant Officer 3 CWO3; Navy: USN Chief Warrant Officer 3 CWO3; Air Force: N/A
11. O-3E
- Pay with 4 yrs of service: $6,806.10 a month or $81,673.20 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $8,859.00 a month or $106,308.00 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $81,673.20
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $103,294.80
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $106,308.00
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Captain CPT; Marine Corps: Captain Capt; Navy: Lieutenant LT; Air Force: Captain Capt
10. O-4
- Pay with <2 yrs of service: $5,803.20 a month or $69,638.40 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $9,689.10 a month or $116,269.20 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $87,184.80
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $104,209.20
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $116,269.20
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Major MAJ; Marine Corps: Major Maj; Navy: Lieutenant Commander LCDR; Air Force: Major Maj
9. W-4
- Pay with <2 yrs of service: $5,273.10 a month or $63,277.20 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $9,821.70 a month or $117,860.40 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $71,935.20
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $81,842.40
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $102,099.60
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Chief Warrant Officer 4 CW4; Marine Corps: Chief Warrant Officer 4 CWO4; Navy: USN Chief Warrant Officer 4 CWO4; Air Force: N/A
8. E-9
- Pay with 10 yrs of service (min required): $6,370.50 a month or $76,446.00 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $9,891.30 a month or $118,695.60 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $0.00
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $76,446.00
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $89,665.20
- Rank example, by military branch: 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; Air Force: Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt) / First Sergeant / Command Chief Master Sergeant
7. O-5
- Pay with <2 yrs of service: $6,725.70 a month or $80,708.40 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $11,426.70 a month or $137,120.40 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $98,395.20
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $109,836.00
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $133,117.20
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Lieutenant Colonel LTC; Marine Corps: Lieutenant Colonel LtCol; Navy: Commander CDR; Air Force: Lieutenant Colonel Lt Col
6. W-5
- Pay with 20 years of service (min required): $9,375.60 a month or $112,507.20 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $12,269.10 a month or $147,229.20 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $0.00
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $0.00
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $112,507.20
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Chief Warrant Officer 5 CW5; Marine Corps: Chief Warrant Officer 5 CWO5; Navy: USN Chief Warrant Officer 5 CWO5; Air Force: N/A
5. O-6
- Pay with <2 yrs of service: $8,067.90 a month or $96,814.80 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $14,282.40 a month or $171,388.80 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $113,338.80
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $119,296.80
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $152,125.20
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Colonel COL; Marine Corps: Colonel Col; Navy: Captain CAPT; Air Force: Colonel Col
4. O-7
- Pay with <2 yrs of service: $10,638.90 a month or $127,666.80 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $15,895.80 a month or $190,749.60 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $138,528.00
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $150,890.40
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $186,051.60
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Brigadier General BG; Marine Corps: Brigadier General BGen; Navy: Rear Admiral Lower Half RDML; Air Force: Brigadier General Brig Gen
3. O-8
- Pay with <2 yrs of service: $12,803.70 a month or $153,644.40 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $18,458.10 a month or $221,497.20 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $162,950.40
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $175,701.60
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $205,747.20
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Major General MG; Marine Corps: Major General MajGen; Navy: Rear Admiral Upper Half RADM; Air Force: Major General Maj Gen
2. O-9
- Pay with 20 years of service (min required): $18,096.00 a month or $217,152.00 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $18,491.70 a month or $221,900.40 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: N/A
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: N/A
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $217,152.00
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: Lieutenant General LTG; Marine Corps: Lieutenant General LtGen; Navy: Vice Admiral VADM; Air Force: Lieutenant General Lt Gen
1. O-10
- Pay with 20 years of service (min required): $18,491.70 a month or $221,900.40 a year
- Pay with 40 yrs of service: $18,491.70 a month or $221,900.40 a year
- Annual pay with over 4 years of service: N/A
- Annual pay with over 10 years of service: N/A
- Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $221,900.40
- Rank example, by military branch: Army: General GEN; Marine Corps: General Gen; Navy: Admiral ADM; Air Force: General Gen
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