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If you are interested in joining the US Army, or you are curious about how much soldiers earn, you might want to know the details of the US Army salary. The US Army is one of the largest and most prestigious branches of the US military, and it offers a variety of career opportunities for people with different skills and qualifications. However, the salary of a soldier is not just a simple number. It depends on many factors, such as rank, experience, job specialty, allowances, bonuses, and benefits.
US Army Salary By Rank in 2023
In this article, we will explain the different elements that make up the US Army salary, and provide the latest information for 2023 based on the official pay tables.
US Army Basic Pay
The first and most basic element of the US Army salary is the basic pay. This is the amount of money that a soldier receives every month based on their rank and years of service. The basic pay is determined by the Department of Defense paygrade, which ranges from E-1 (the lowest enlisted rank) to O-10 (the highest officer rank). The basic pay increases as soldiers advance in rank and gain more experience. For example, a private (E-1) with less than two years of service earns $1,834 per month in 2023, while a general (O-10) with more than 22 years of service earns $16,975 per month in 2023.
The basic pay is the same for all soldiers with the same rank and experience, regardless of their job specialty or location. However, the basic pay does not include other allowances, bonuses, or benefits that soldiers may receive depending on their circumstances. Therefore, the basic pay is not the total compensation that a soldier receives.
American Army rank and salary 2023
Here is a possible table that shows the US Army rank name and salary in 2023, based on the official pay tables.
| Rank | Pay Grade | Monthly Basic Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Private | E-1 | $1,834 |
| Private Second Class | E-2 | $2,055 |
| Private First Class | E-3 | $2,161 – $2,436 |
| Specialist | E-4 | $2,393 – $2,906 |
| Corporal | E-4 | $2,393 – $2,906 |
| Sergeant | E-5 | $2,610 – $3,704 |
| Staff Sergeant | E-6 | $2,849 – $4,413 |
| Sergeant First Class | E-7 | $3,294 – $5,921 |
| Master Sergeant | E-8 | $4,739 – $6,759 |
| First Sergeant | E-8 | $4,739 – $6,759 |
| Sergeant Major | E-9 | $5,789 – $8,989 |
| Command Sergeant Major | E-9 | $5,789 – $8,989 |
| Sergeant Major of the Army | E-9 | $5,789 – $8,989 |
| Warrant Officer 1 | W-1 | $3,399 – $5,873 |
| Chief Warrant Officer 2 | W-2 | $3,872 – $6,463 |
| Chief Warrant Officer 3 | W-3 | $4,376 – $7,676 |
| Chief Warrant Officer 4 | W-4 | $4,792 – $8,926 |
| Chief Warrant Officer 5 | W-5 | $8,520 – $11,150 |
| Second Lieutenant | O-1 | $3,477 – $4,376 |
| First Lieutenant | O-2 | $4,007 – $5,544 |
| Captain | O-3 | $4,637 – $7,544 |
| Major | O-4 | $5,274 – $8,805 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | O-5 | $6,112 – $10,384 |
| Colonel | O-6 | $7,332 – $12,980 |
| Brigadier General | O-7 | $9,668 – $14,446 |
| Major General | O-8 | $11,636 -$16.774 |
| Lieutenant General | O-9 | $16.445 -$16.975 |
US Army Allowances
The second element of the US Army salary is the allowances. These are additional payments that soldiers receive to cover some of their living expenses, such as housing, food, clothing, and travel. The most common allowances are:
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH): This is a monthly payment that soldiers receive to help them pay for their housing costs, such as rent or mortgage. The amount of BAH depends on the soldier’s location, rank, and dependents. For example, a sergeant (E-5) with no dependents living in Washington DC receives $2,583 per month in 2023, while a captain (O-3) with two dependents living in San Diego receives $4,017 per month in 2023.
Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS): This is a monthly payment that soldiers receive to help them pay for their food costs. The amount of BAS is fixed for all soldiers regardless of their rank or location. In 2023, the BAS rate is $386.50 per month for officers and $294.40 per month for enlisted personnel.
Clothing Allowance: This is an annual payment that soldiers receive to help them pay for their uniform costs. The amount of clothing allowance depends on the soldier’s rank and years of service. For example, a private (E-1) receives $444.72 per year in 2023, while a colonel (O-6) receives $1,000.80 per year in 2023.
There are also other allowances that soldiers may receive depending on their situation, such as family separation allowance, hardship duty pay, hostile fire pay, special duty assignment pay, and overseas housing allowance. These allowances vary in amount and eligibility criteria.
US Army Bonuses
The third element of the US Army salary is the bonuses. These are extra payments that soldiers receive to reward them for their performance, skills, or service commitment. The most common bonuses are:
Enlistment Bonus: This is a one-time payment that soldiers receive when they join the US Army for the first time or reenlist after completing their initial contract. The amount of enlistment bonus depends on the soldier’s job specialty, length of contract, and availability of funds. For example, in 2023, some job specialties offer up to $50,000 in enlistment bonuses for a six-year contract.
Retention Bonus: This is a periodic payment that soldiers receive when they agree to stay in the US Army beyond their initial contract or reenlist after completing their previous contract. The amount of retention bonus depends on the soldier’s job specialty, rank, years of service, and availability of funds. For example, in 2023, some job specialties offer up to $100,000 in retention bonuses for a six-year contract.
Special Pay: This is a monthly payment that soldiers receive when they perform certain duties or have certain skills that are in high demand or require special training. The amount of special pay depends on the soldier’s job specialty and qualification level. For example,
some examples of special pay are:
- Foreign Language Proficiency Pay: This is a monthly payment that soldiers receive when they are proficient in one or more foreign languages that are critical for the US Army missions. The amount of foreign language proficiency pay ranges from $100 to $500 per month per language, depending on the language and the proficiency level.
- Aviation Career Incentive Pay: This is a monthly payment that soldiers receive when they are qualified and serve as pilots, flight officers, or crew members in the US Army aviation units. The amount of aviation career incentive pay ranges from $125 to $840 per month, depending on the rank and years of aviation service.
- Special Forces Pay: This is a monthly payment that soldiers receive when they are assigned to the US Army Special Forces units, such as the Green Berets, Delta Force, or Rangers. The amount of special forces pay ranges from $150 to $450 per month, depending on the rank and qualification level.
There are also other bonuses that soldiers may receive depending on their achievements, such as combat zone tax exclusion, reenlistment window extension, student loan repayment, and tuition assistance.
US Army Benefits
The fourth and final element of the US Army salary is the benefits. These are non-monetary rewards that soldiers receive for their service, such as health care, retirement, education, and family support. Some of the benefits are:
Health Care: Soldiers and their dependents are eligible for free or low-cost medical and dental care through the Military Health System (MHS), which includes military hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. Soldiers can also enroll in TRICARE, which is a health insurance program that covers civilian health care providers and facilities.
Retirement: Soldiers who serve for at least 20 years are eligible for a monthly pension that is based on their rank and years of service. Soldiers can also opt for the Blended Retirement System (BRS), which combines a reduced pension with a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which is a retirement savings account that offers tax benefits and matching contributions from the US Army.
Education: Soldiers can take advantage of various education programs that help them pay for college or vocational training, such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which covers up to 100% of tuition and fees, books and supplies, and housing allowance for up to 36 months of education benefits. Soldiers can also use the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), which pays up to $4,500 per year for tuition and fees for courses taken during off-duty hours.
Family Support: Soldiers and their families have access to various programs and services that help them cope with the challenges of military life, such as child care, spouse employment, counseling, legal assistance, relocation assistance, and morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) activities.
Conclusion
The US Army salary is not a simple number. It is a complex combination of basic pay, allowances, bonuses, and benefits that vary depending on many factors. The US Army salary reflects the value and respect that the US Army has for its soldiers and their families. The US Army salary also provides an incentive and reward for soldiers who dedicate their lives to serving their country.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Q1: What is the highest paying job in the US Army?
A1: The highest paying job in the US Army depends on the rank, experience, job specialty, allowances, bonuses, and benefits of the soldier. However, some of the most lucrative job specialties in the US Army are:
- Medical Corps Officer: These are doctors who provide health care to soldiers and their families. They can earn up to $120,000 per year in basic pay plus various allowances and bonuses.
- Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps Officer: These are lawyers who provide legal services to the US Army. They can earn up to $108,000 per year in basic pay plus various allowances and bonuses.
- Special Forces Officer: These are leaders who command the elite US Army Special Forces units. They can earn up to $96,000 per year in basic pay plus various allowances and bonuses.
Q2: How much does a US Army soldier make an hour?
A2: The hourly wage of a US Army soldier is not a straightforward calculation. It depends on how many hours a soldier works per month, which can vary depending on their duty schedule and deployment status. However, one way to estimate the hourly wage of a US Army soldier is to divide their monthly basic pay by 160 hours (assuming a 40-hour workweek).