The famous World War I poster of Uncle Sam said, “I want you for U.S. Army.” These days, the Army wants all manner of health care professionals to join, and is willing to pay top dollar for them. The Army is also trying to encourage general enlistment and other professions to join.
To find the professions or jobs that the Army gives the biggest enlistment or signing bonuses, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the U.S. Army site about Careers and Jobs in the U.S. Army. Jobs are ranked by their maximum bonus amount. Only one profession per bonus is headlined, with the rest (if any other were listed) listed under “other professions.” This list is by no means comprehensive, and the Army can change the amount at any time depending on needs. It is important to note that these are the maximum bonuses, and the Army has its own considerations when deciding on the actual bonus amount..
The lucrative bonuses are part of the Army’s campaign to boost enlistment in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic. The Army fell short of its recruiting goal in 2021 by 15,000 recruits. Earlier this month, the Army debuted a $117 million advertisement campaign with two new commercials inspired by the famed 1980s-era Army slogan, “Be All You Can Be.” (Here are countries with the most active military per person.)
Enlistment bonuses can reach a whopping $50,000, while reserve enlistment bonus can reach up to $20,000. And to recruit people fast, the quick ship bonus, for those willing to start basic training ahead of a certain date, can reach $40,000. (Also see how much members of the U.S. military are paid at every pay grade.)
As enticing as these bonuses are, the Army is willing to pay even higher signing bonuses for certain professionals. There are 12 jobs on the list that the U.S. Army will award a signing bonus of six figures. Top dollar is going to anesthesiologists ($600,000), psychiatrists ($500,000), and comprehensive dentists ($400,000). Most of the big payday offerings are going toward those in the health care field.
Those with training in military-specific areas are also offered well-paying inducements. These jobs include signals collection analyst, air defense battle management system operator, animal care specialist, and geospatial engineer.
Click here to see 22 army jobs with the biggest signing bonuses.
Source: Nes / iStock via Getty Images
22. Signals Collection Analyst
> Bonus, up to: $5,000
> Other professions with same maximum bonus: Signals Collection Analyst
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Source: enkoff / iStock via Getty Images
21-tied. Air Defense Battle Management System Operator
> Bonus, up to: $10,000
> Other professions with same maximum bonus: Multiple Launch Rocket System Repairer, Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS/HIMARS) Crewmember, Military Intelligence (MI) Systems Maintainer / Integrator, Joint Fire Support Specialist, Intelligence Analyst, Electronic Warfare Specialist, Cyber Operations Specialist, Cavalry scout, Cavalry Scout, Cannon Crewmember, Air Defense Battle Management System Operator
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21-tied. Animal Care Specialist
> Bonus, up to: $10,000
> Other professions with same maximum bonus: Petroleum Supply Specialist, Medical Laboratory Specialist, Culinary Specialist, Corrections/Detention Specialist
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
20-tied. Bradley Fighting Vehicle System Maintainer
> Bonus, up to: $17,500
> Other professions with same maximum bonus: Radar Repairer, Parachute Rigger, Diver
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Source: Philipp Berezhnoy / iStock via Getty Images
20-tied. Geospatial engineer
> Bonus, up to: $17,500
19-tied. Reserve enlistment bonus
> Bonus, up to: $20,000
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Source: usnavy / Flickr
19-tied. Army Veterinarian Officer
> Bonus, up to: $20,000
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18-tied. Air and Missile Defense Crewmembers
> Bonus, up to: $30,000
> Other professions with same maximum bonus: Fire Control Specialist, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist
Source: microgen / iStock via Getty Images
18-tied. Dietitian
> Bonus, up to: $30,000
> Other professions with same maximum bonus: Social Worker, Practical Nursing Specialist, Physical Therapist, Pharmacist, Occupational Therapy Specialist, Occupational Therapist
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17-tied. Civilian acquired skill bonus (enlistment)
> Bonus, up to: $40,000
> Other professions with same maximum bonus: Quick ship bonus (enlistment)
Source: SDI Productions / E+ via Getty Images
17-tied. Ob/Gyn Nurse
> Bonus, up to: $40,000
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
16-tied. Human Intelligence Collector
> Bonus, up to: $50,000
> Other professions with same maximum bonus: Special Forces Candidate, Signals Intelligence Voice Interceptor, M1 Armor Crewman, Infantryman Jobs
16-tied. Psychological Operations Specialist
> Bonus, up to: $50,000
Source: ganatlguard / Flickr
15. Enlistment bonus
> Bonus, up to: $50,000
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Source: navymedicine / Flickr
14. Physician Assistant Officer
> Bonus, up to: $60,000
Source: SDI Productions / E+ via Getty Images
13. Clinical Psychologist
> Bonus, up to: $65,000
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12. Critical care nurse
> Bonus, up to: $100,000
> Other professions with same maximum bonus: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
11. General Dentist
> Bonus, up to: $150,000
10. Flight Surgeon
> Bonus, up to: $200,000
> Other professions with same maximum bonus: Infectious Disease Officer
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9. Ophthalmologist
> Bonus, up to: $225,000
Source: navymedicine / Flickr
8. Internal Medicine Physician
> Bonus, up to: $250,000
> Other professions with same maximum bonus: Nurse Anesthetist
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Source: Drazen Zigic / iStock via Getty Images
7. Family Medicine Physician
> Bonus, up to: $275,000
6. Preventive Medicine Officer
> Bonus, up to: $300,000
> Other professions with same maximum bonus: Urologist, Prosthodontist
Source: navymedicine / Flickr
5. Cardiologist
> Bonus, up to: $325,000
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Source: shironosov / iStock via Getty Images
4. Diagnostic radiologist
> Bonus, up to: $375,000
Source: Jeff_Hu / E+ via Getty Images
3. Comprehensive dentist
> Bonus, up to: $400,000
> Other professions with same maximum bonus: Pulmonary Disease/Critical Care Officer, Emergency Physician
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Source: KatarzynaBialasiewicz / iStock via Getty Images
2. Psychiatrist
> Bonus, up to: $500,000
1. Anesthesiologist
> Bonus, up to: $600,000
> Other professions with same maximum bonus: Peripheral Vascular Surgeon, Orthopedic Surgeon, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Neurosurgeon, General Surgeon
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