Army Pay Charts (2024)

What you could earn in your first year.

Not only do enlisted Soldiers earn a competitive base salary, but they may also be eligible for bonuses, allowances, and other benefits. Here’s an example of what you could make and what’s included in your total compensation.

  1. Full Time

  2. Part Time

Example for illustration based on yearly Fort Campbell, K.Y. housing allowance for a married Soldier and 2024 Army pay tables for a private (E2) with less than two years of service.

Example for illustration based on yearly Fort Campbell, K.Y. housing allowance for a married Soldier and 2024 Army pay tables for a private (E2) with less than two years of service.

SEE WHAT THE ARMY PAYS.

The charts below show the basic pay (base annual salary before bonuses) for enlisted Soldiers, Warrant Officers, and commissioned Officers. They’re sorted by rank and years of experience, and do not include bonuses, allowances, or other benefits.

  • Active-duty Soldiers work in the Army full time and are paid according to their rank and years of service
  • Army Reserve and Army National Guard Soldiers work part time and are paid based on the hours they work, including two weeks of training each year and one weekend per month
Army Pay Charts (1)

Active-duty pay scales.

Full-Time Enlisted Soldier Pay
Rank <2 Years 4 Years 6 Years 8 Years
Private (E1)$24,206.40*$24,206.40*$24,206.40*$24,206.40*
Private (E2)$27,133.20$27,133.20$27,133.20$27,133.20
Private First Class (E3)$28,530.00$32,162.40$32,162.40$32,162.40
Specialist or Corporal (E4)$31,604.40$36,795.60$38,368.80$38,368.80
Sergeant (E5)$34,446.40$40,388.40$43,221.60$46,184.40
Staff Sergeant (E6)$37,627.20$45,010.80$46,857.60$51,030.00

Full-Time Warrant Officer Pay
Rank <2 Years 4 Years 6 Years 8 Years
Warrant Officer (WO1)$44,877.60$53,755.20$56,998.80$61,779.60
Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2)$51,130.80$58,478.40$61,790.40$66,942.00
Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3)$57,787.20$63,468.00$66,052.80$71,146.80
Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4)$63,277.20$71,935.20$75,247.20$78,523.20

Full-Time Commissioned Officer Pay
Rank <2 Years 4 Years 6 Years 8 Years
Second Lieutenant (O1)$45,914.40$57,776.40$57,776.40$57,776.40
First Lieutenant (O2)$52,902.00$71,737.20$73,209.60$73,209.60
Captain (O3)$61,225.20$81,673.20$85,593.60$89,888.40
Major (O4)$69,638.40$87,184.80$92,178.00$97,534.80

Army Reserve and Army National Guard pay scales.

Part-Time Enlisted Soldier Pay
Rank <2 Years 4 Years 6 Years 8 Years
Private (E1)$3,899.92*$3,899.92$3,899.92$3,899.92
Private (E2)$4,371.46$4,371.46$4,371.46$4,371.46
Private First Class (E3)$4,596.50$5,181.72$5,181.72$5,181.72
Specialist or Corporal (E4)$5,091.82$5,928.18$6,181.64$6,181.64
Sergeant (E5)$5,552.92$6,507.02$6,963.48$7,440.82
Staff Sergeant (E6)$6,062.16$7,251.74$7,549.28$8,221.50

Based on 2024 Army pay tables.

*Pay for Private (E1) will be slightly lower for the first four months of service.

Part-Time Warrant Officer Pay
Rank <2 Years 4 Years 6 Years 8 Years
Warrant Officer (WO1)$7,230.28$8,660.56$9,183.14$9,953.38
Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2)$8,237.74$9,421.52$9,955.12$10,785.10
Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3)$9,310.16$10,225.40$10,641.84$11,462.54
Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4)$10,194.66$11,589.56$12,123.16$12,650.96

Based on 2024 Army pay tables.

Part-Time Commissioned Officer Pay
Rank <2 Years 4 Years 6 Years 8 Years
Second Lieutenant (O1)$7,397.32$9,308.42$9,308.42$9,308.42
First Lieutenant (O2)$8,523.10$11,557.66$11,794.88$11,794.88
Captain (O3)$9,864.06$13,158.46$13,790.08$14,482.02
Major (O4)$11,219.52$14,046.44$14,850.90$15,713.94

Based on 2024 Army pay tables.

EARN MORE

THAN YOUR

SALARY.

EARN MORE

THAN YOUR

SALARY.

EARN MORE

THAN YOUR

SALARY.

EARN MORE

THAN YOUR

SALARY.

EARN MORE

THAN YOUR

SALARY.

EARN MORE

THAN YOUR

SALARY.

Beyond your paycheck

The Army provides bonuses, military allowances, and other benefits to help you earn more and offset the cost of living, so more of your paycheck stays in your pocket.

Bonuses when you join

Bonuses are a great way for Soldiers to increase their pay. There are a variety of opportunities including Quick Ship Bonus for reporting to Basic Training within 30 days of enlistment, as well as different job-specific enlistment bonuses.

Housing and home loans

The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is given to full-time U.S.-based Soldiers when housing is not provided on base. The amount is based on location, rank, and family status. The Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) is also available to Soldiers based outside of the U.S. Plus, everyone who joins has access to better loans for buying or maintaining homes off base.

Little-to-no cost health care

All Soldiers and their families have access to comprehensive, quality health care. Full-time Soldiers are covered at no cost, while those serving part time have low costs for their care.

Free education and training

The Army offers programs to all Soldiers that help pay for college, graduate school, licensing and certification courses, entrepreneurship training, and more.

Meals and food allowance

Enlisted Soldiers who live in the barracks get their meals at Army dining facilities covered through their Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS). Commissioned Officers and enlisted Soldiers not living in the barracks can eat at the dining facilities for a charge, and receive a BAS of more than $300 a month to buy food on or off base.

Allowance for uniforms

Enlisted Soldiers receive an annual clothing allowance to replace uniforms and uniform decorations.

SEE WHAT IT TAKES TO JOIN.

Take the Soldier Prep Quiz to see how you can become part of the greatest team in the world.

Army Pay Charts (2)

TAKE THE FIRST STEP.

Find out more about becoming a Soldier and if a career in the Army is right for you.

Army paratroopers landing in a mountainous desert

Common questions about money and pay.

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How does an Army base salary compare to pay in the private sector?

When you consider affordable health care for part-time Soldiers and free health care for full-time Soldiers, plus access to bonuses, allowances for housing, food, and clothing, opportunities to get a college degree without incurring debt, and more financial benefits, the Army offers a more competitive choice to similar civilian careers. Your Army base salary is just one part of the total compensation Soldiers receive. While civilian jobs may pay higher base salaries, the Army offers a starting salary above the federal minimum wage for a 40-hour work week, 30 days paid leave every year, plus a variety of benefits on top of your base pay that add up.

What is Special Duty Pay? How else can I earn money in the Army?

Special Duty Pay is additional monthly and/or annual pay given to eligible active-duty Soldiers who perform certain duties, serve in specific geographic locations, work in various jobs called Military Occupation Specialties (MOS), or are given high-value assignments. Along with Special Duty Pay, you can earn bonuses for doing things like heading to Basic Training earlier or taking certain jobs.

How do Army basic pay and benefits differ between full- and part-time service?

When you serve full time in active duty Army and when you serve part time in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard, you have access to the same comprehensive benefits the Army provides to all Soldiers. The pay differs based on years of experience and rank. See the pay charts above for details.

How do Army basic pay and benefits differ for enlisted Soldiers, Warrant Officers, and commissioned Officers?

All Soldiers, including enlisted, Warrant Officers, and commissioned Officers, have access to the same comprehensive Army benefits. The pay for all three Army paths differs depending on which path you choose and whether you’re full time (active duty), or part time (Army Reserve or Army National Guard). See the pay charts above for details.

Army Pay Charts (2024)

FAQs

Why do officers get less BAS? ›

Enlisted BAS has historically been intended to cover the full cost of meals for the service member; officer BAS has not. Long ago, officers were pulled from the upper classes and bought their commissions or came from a well-off family and could afford to buy their own meals.

How much is the BAS for 2024? ›

As of 2002, all service members receive a Basic Allowance for Subsistence to pay for their meals per the U.S. Department of Agriculture's annual food cost index. For 2024, the monthly BAS rates are: Enlisted service members: $460.25/month. Officers: $316.98/month.

What military branch pays the most starting salary? ›

At a basic pay level, the answer is simple. The military pays the same regardless of branch, according to your pay grade and years of service. Your rank determines your pay grade. Ranks vary across military services, but pay grades do not.

How much does a w01 make in the Army? ›

Active-duty pay scales.
Full-Time Warrant Officer Pay
Rank<2 Years6 Years
Warrant Officer (WO1)$44,877.60$56,998.80
Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2)$51,130.80$61,790.40
Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3)$57,787.20$66,052.80
2 more rows

What is the average BAS allowance for officers? ›

Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS): The Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) is used to pay for food for Enlisted Soldiers and Officers. The following are the BAS rates for 2024: Officers: $316.98. Enlisted: $460.25.

Does BAS increase with rank? ›

This monthly allowance is non-taxable, and the amount is not tied to paygrade or dependent status. Because BAS is intended to provide meals for the service member, its level is linked to the price of food.

Do married soldiers get BAS? ›

Married soldiers receive BAH and BAS in addition to their other pay. This is so they can rent/buy housing, and to buy food. Unmarried soldiers receive the same support in kind.

Why did my bah go down? ›

First, and most common, a decrease occurs when you PCS to a location at which the housing cost is less than at your current duty station. At the new duty station you get a lower housing allowance, but you should be no worse off, because the allowance is driven by the housing costs there.

Do you get BAS if you live off base? ›

Active-duty service members in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Space Force are eligible for BAS. This applies to both enlisted and officer personnel who reside off installation and receive a separate ration waiver.

What MOS pays the most? ›

Highest-paying Military Career Jobs
  • Aircraft Launch and Recovery Officers. ...
  • Armored Assault Vehicle Officers. ...
  • Artillery and Missile Officers. ...
  • Command and Control Center Officers. ...
  • Infantry Officers. ...
  • Special Forces Officers. ...
  • Military Officer Special and Tactical Operations Leaders. ...
  • Medical, Pharmacy, and Dental Services.

What branch gets deployed the most? ›

The proportion of those deployed by branch in the Regular components ranged from 56% in the Army to 84% in the Navy and Marine Corps. In turn, those in the National Guard and reserves (combined across all services) constituted one-third of all those deployed.

What military branch is the hardest to get into? ›

The hardest military branch to get into in terms of education requirements is the Air Force. The military branch with the toughest basic training is the Marine Corps. The hardest military branch for non-males because of exclusivity and male dominance is the Marine Corps. What is the smallest military branch?

How much do the Green Berets get paid? ›

As of Jun 9, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Green Berets in the United States is $18.65 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing hourly wages as high as $23.32 and as low as $11.78, the majority of Green Berets wages currently range between $17.31 (25th percentile) to $19.95 (75th percentile) across the United States.

At what rank can you become a warrant officer? ›

Only Aviation Warrant Officer candidates are able to become a Warrant Officer without any prior service experience. All other candidates must be serving on active duty, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard and have a rank of at least sergeant.

Do you salute warrant officer 1? ›

All warrant officers rate a salute from those ranked below them; i.e., the enlisted ranks.

Do all officers get BAH? ›

Only E-9s, the highest enlisted paygrade, receive BAH based on the cost of renting detached single-family houses. Junior officers also are assumed to be living in town houses or apartments, and their BAH rates are set accordingly.

Are officers entitled to basic pay entitled to BAS at all times on a monthly basis? ›

Officers generally are entitled to full BAS at all times except when in an excess leave status, absent without authority for more than 24 consecutive hours or otherwise not entitled to basic pay.

Do officers get better benefits? ›

The Benefits of Becoming an Officer

Becoming an officer in the Military offers far-reaching benefits, including increased salary and better housing.

Do officers get paid more than enlisted? ›

Officers make more than enlisted personnel. To compare, an active duty E-3 fresh out of boot camp in 2023 makes $2,259.99 of base pay a month, whereas a fresh active duty O-1 makes $3,637.26 of base pay a month. Not only that, but officers are entitled to BAH, or Basic Allowance for Housing, right off the bat.

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