However, it’s a full-time job, and sometimes, people are away from their families and away from home for prolonged periods of time.
Overall, the sum a person makes in the military is based on their rank. Therefore, an entry-level cadet might make a lot less than a major in the Army. Regardless, here are the salaries and benefits for those who serve in the US military.
Cadets and Midshipmen Make $1,186 a Month
Midshipmen and cadets are students at one of five academies and are the lowest-paid people. However, they still get a monthly allotment, which is more than college students can say. Students get $1,186 each month to make an annual salary of $14,232.
Cadets And Midshipmen Make $1,186 A Month
E-1s Make $1,650 a Month
Seaman Recruits in the Navy/Coast Guard, Privates in the Marines and Army, or Airman Basics for the Space Force and Air Force are the lowest enlisted service ranks and are called E-1s. Even if they aren’t active duty for over four months, they still get $1,650 each month.
E 1s Make $1,650 A Month
E-2 Service Members Make $2,000.70 a Month
An E-2 is the next military rank. That makes it private first class for Marines, Airman for the Space Force and Air Force, private second class for the Army, and seaman apprentice for the Coast Guard and Navy. They get a monthly allowance of $2,000.70 a month, making an annual salary of a whopping $24,008.40!
E 2 Service Members Make $2,000.70 A Month
E-3s (Less Than Two Years of Experience) Make $2,103.90 a Month
Once servicemembers hit the E-3 rank, they make a salary based on how long they’ve been enlisted. This ranking includes Coast Guard and Navy seamen, Space Force and Air Force airmen first class, Army private first class, and Marine lance corporals. They make $2,103.90 a month!
E 3s (Less Than Two Years Of Experience) Make $2,103.90 A Month
E-4 Makes Between $2,330.40 and $2,829 a Month
E-4 servicepeople are called Space Force/Air Force senior airmen, Marine corporals, Coast Guard and Navy petty officers third class, or Army corporals and specialists. They have six years or more of experience and make about $2,829 a month.
E 4 Makes Between $2,330.40 And $2,829 A Month
E-5s Make Between $2,541.60 and $3,606.90 a Month
Servicepeople who get to E-5 status had a very long journey, but they make more. They are now called Navy/Coast Guard petty officers second class, Army sergeants, or Space Force/Air Force staff sergeants and have spent 12 years or more in service, allowing them to make $43,282.80 per year.
E 5s Make Between $2,541.60 And $3,606.90 A Month
E-6s Make Between $2,774.40 and $4,297.20 a Month
To reach the E-6 status, servicepeople must serve for 18 years or more. However, that also means that they make a larger monthly salary and end up with $51,566.40 at the end of the year!
E 6s Make Between $2,774.40 And $4,297.20 A Month
E-7s Make Between $3,207.60 and $5,765.40 a Month
This ranking includes Coast Guard/Navy chief petty officers, Marine gunnery sergeants, Space Force/Air Force master sergeants, and Army sergeants first class. If they’ve only served at this rank for two or fewer years, they make the lower end, but those with 26 or more years of experience make that higher salary!
E 7s Make Between $3,207.60 And $5,765.40 A Month
E-8s Make Between $4,614.60 and $6,581.40 a Month
Service members with eight or more years of experience can reach this pay scale. That includes Air/Space Force senior master sergeants, Army/Marine master sergeants, Army first sergeants, and Coast Guard/Navy senior chief petty officers. They make up to $78,976.80 per year!
E 8s Make Between $4,614.60 And $6,581.40 A Month
E-9s Make Between $5,637 and $8,752.50 a Month
Service members at this rank include Coast Guard/Navy master chief petty officers, Marine master gunnery sergeants, Marine sergeant majors, Army sergeant majors, and Space/Air Force chief master sergeants. Those with 38+ years of experience could earn a six-figure salary!
E 9s Make Between $5,637 And $8,752.50 A Month
W-1s Make Between $4,409.40 and $5,718.60 a Month
W-1s are warrant officers and must have the rank approved by Congress. They’re experts in specific skills and actually have a higher rank than enlisted members. Still, they don’t have much experience, so their income is lower.
W 1s Make Between $4,409.40 And $5,718.60 A Month
W-2s Make Between $3,770.40 and $6,293.10 a Month
The next tier includes the chief warrant officer (W-2), and it’s only available in the Marines, Coast Guard, Navy, or Army. The pay grades vary based on how many years they served.
W 2s Make Between $3,770.40 And $6,293.10 A Month
W-3s Make Between $4,261.20 and $7,474.50 a Month
Servicepeople who work up to the W-3 ladder have invaluable expertise and skills. They’re also found in many Military branches, such as the Navy and Marines. Those who have 26+ years of experience make the higher pay!
W 3s Make Between $4,261.20 And $7,474.50 A Month
W-4s Make Between $4,665.90 and $8,691 a Month
Though servicepeople in the Navy, Marines, and Army skip this pay grade, the Coast Guard uses the W-4 option. Those with fewer than two years of experience make less than those with 30+ years!
W 4s Make Between $4,665.90 And $8,691 A Month
W-5s Make Between $8,296.20 and $10,956.40 a Month
Navy, Marines, and Army servicepeople move from W-3s to W-5s, and this is the highest pay grade available. Those with 20 years of experience earn a bit less, but if you have 38+ years, you could earn six figures!
W 5s Make Between $8,296.20 And $10,956.40 A Month
O-10s Make $16,608.30 a Month
Generals in the Air Force, Space Force, Marines, and Army, and Admirals in the Navy or Coast Guard have reached O-10 level. However, they make a base pay of $199,299.60 each year, so they certainly don’t mind!
O 10s Make $16,608.30 A Month
O-9s Make Between $16,012.50 and $16,608.30 a Month
The pay scale of an O-9 doesn’t begin until they’ve been with the military for 20 years. This includes lieutenant generals of the Air/Space Force, Marines, and Army, or a vice-admiral for the Navy and Coast Guard. They’re well-compensated for sure!
O 9s Make Between $16,012.50 And $16,608.30 A Month
O-8s Make Between $11,329.50 and $16,333.20 a Month
Because O-8s have so many responsibilities, they earn the large salary. This tier includes major generals in the Army, Air/Space Force, and Marines or rear admirals in the Navy/Coast Guard. Those with 34+ years of experience tend to make the most.
O 8s Make Between $11,329.50 And $16,333.20 A Month
O-7s Make Between $9,414.30 and $14,065.80 a Month
The O-7 is an elite ranking and includes the brigadier general in the Air/Space Force, Marines, and Army or a rear admiral lower in the Navy/Coast Guard. Even those with the least experience earn a six-figure salary!
O 7s Make Between $9,414.30 And $14,065.80 A Month
O-6s Make Between $7,139.10 and $12,638.40 a Month
O-6 ranks include colonels in the Air/Space Force, Marines, and Army or captains in the Navy/Coast Guard. It’s not easy to reach this level, so those who make it are well-compensated.
O 6s Make Between $7,139.10 And $12,638.40 A Month
O-5s Make Between $5,951.40 and $10,111.20 a Month
O-5s are also commissioned officers and hold the rank of lieutenant colonels in the Air/Space Force, Marines, and Army or commanders for the Navy/Coast Guard. Regardless, they’re paid a large sum based on their experience.
O 5s Make Between $5,951.40 And $10,111.20 A Month
O-4s Make Between $5,135.10 and $8,573.70 a Month
Next in line are the O-4s as majors in the Air/Space Force, Marines, and Army or lieutenant commander in the Navy/Coast Guard. Sometimes, people move to this rank fast, even if they don’t have experience!
O 4s Make Between $5,135.10 And $8,573.70 A Month
O-3Es Make Between $6,022.80 and $7,839 a Month
An O-3E lieutenant or captain expects to make a lot of money with no experience. Immediately at this rank, they earn roughly $72,273.60 a year, but it goes higher with more expertise.
O 3Es Make Between $6,022.80 And $7,839 A Month
O-3s Make Between $4,514.70 and $7,345.20 a Month
The O-3s hold the rank of captain in the Air/Space Force, Marines, and Army or are lieutenants in the Navy/Coast Guard. People can attain that rank without any experience, but they get paid a bit less than others.
O 3s Make Between $4,514.70 And $7,345.20 A Month
O-2Es Make Between $5,289.90 and $6,251.70 a Month
Though the O-2E is technically the O-2, the pay grade is a touch higher. Before they’re eligible for this status, they must have four years as an enlisted member or warrant officer. As they earn more experience, they make more at this rank.
O 2Es Make Between $5,289.90 And $6,251.70 A Month
O-2s Make Between $3,901.20 and $5,398.50 a Month
The first lieutenant in the Air/Space Force, Marines, and Army or a lieutenant junior grade for the Navy/Coast Guard can have an O-2 ranking. Like others rankings, the pay is dependent on how much experience they have.
O 2s Make Between $3,901.20 And $5,398.50 A Month
O-1Es Make Between $4,260.60 and $5,289.90 a Month
O-1Es make a bit more than the O-1 officers, but it depends on how many years of experience they have. Typically, O-1s are right out of the academy, so O-1Es have a touch more time under their belts. To reach that status, they must have four years of service.
O 1Es Make Between $4,260.60 And $5,289.90 A Month
O-1s Make Between $3,385.80 and $4,260.60 a Month
While O-1s outrank the W-5s, they’re paid much less. That’s because they’re often young with little experience. They’ve typically just graduated from an ROTC or academy program. Still, it’s a decent sum, so they can’t complain! Here are some other perks of enlisting.
O 1s Make Between $3,385.80 And $4,260.60 A Month
Groceries and Food Allotment
Enlisted servicepeople can get $386.50 each month for food and groceries on top of their regular pay. There are many perks of enlisting, and that’s why most of them do. However, officers only get $266.18 for food items.
Groceries And Food Allotment
Education Benefits
Joining the military out of high school doesn’t mean you don’t receive an education. The military helps to pay off loans or pay for colleges. In fact, most enlistees get 100 percent of their college tuition paid for when on active duty!
Education Benefits
Specialty Training
People in the military learn things that they can’t get anywhere else. Whether it’s about guns, shooting, or learning new languages, there are so many things you can get from enlisting that you can’t find at home or in any other program.
Specialty Training
Annual Paid Vacations
Did you know that there are special resorts available only for military personnel? These include the Hale Koa Hotel (Waikiki), Shades of Green (Walt Disney World), and many others in South Korea, Germany, and Japan!
Annual Paid Vacations
Travel to Exotic Places
The military also pays for the relocation of your family. You get to see the world while you serve, but you’re also eligible for special “space-available” flights to anywhere in the world, and some of them cost nothing. Plus, military bases in those areas can house you, too!
Travel To Exotic Places
Option for Full- or Part-time Service
Most people worry about committing the next four or so years to the military, but most branches have part-time service options available. That means you can still work and be with your family more while you serve and protect your country.
Part Time And Full Time Job Working Businessman Business Concept
Tax-free Room and Board
The military often provides room and board, which includes meals, as part of the pay a serviceperson gets. On active duty, they’re eligible to receive an allowance or free meals. While military housing varies, new recruits often live on base.
Tax Free Room And Board
Dental and Health Care
Active-duty personnel and families have access to dental services, clinics, and hospitals on or near military installations. Plus, active-duty members can get life insurance for free, which can help their families if they’re killed in action.
Dental And Health Care
Military Exchange Stores and Commissary
As a service member, you and your family are allowed to shop at military exchange stores for a discount. Plus, on-base housing communities include commissaries, church facilities, libraries, gyms, schools, banks, restaurants, theaters, and much more.
Military Exchange Stores And Commissary
Special Discounts and Home Loans
Often called veteran’s benefits, the federal government and many states provide support programs, such as small business loans, guarantees on home loans, and much more. For example, the VA home loan program allows buyers to get zero-down financing.
Special Discounts And Home Loans
Cash Bonuses and a Guaranteed Paycheck
While all servicepeople get a paycheck of some sort, they’re also eligible for enlistment bonuses. This varies by branch and requires you to meet the requirements, but people can talk to recruiters about their options. There are many other bonus opportunities, too!
Cash Bonuses And A Guaranteed Paycheck
Sense of Honor and Patriotism
Along with the tangible perks military members get, they also have a feeling of honor and patriotism for what they do. They’re trained in the military and can use their leadership skills afterward and throughout their lives.
Sense Of Honor And Patriotism