Intro
Boost your military compensation with these 7 proven strategies to increase military pay. Discover how to maximize your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), harness special pays, and leverage education benefits to amplify your earnings. Get the inside scoop on military pay charts, allowances, and incentives to take your military salary to the next level.
The life of a military personnel is not an easy one. The sacrifices made by the brave men and women who serve their country are immeasurable. However, one of the things that can make their lives a bit more manageable is a decent income. Military pay is not always the highest, but there are ways to increase it. In this article, we will explore 7 ways to increase military pay.
Military personnel often face unique financial challenges due to their service. Deployments, frequent moves, and time away from family can all take a toll on their finances. That's why it's essential to explore ways to increase military pay. Not only can it improve their quality of life, but it can also help them provide better for their families.
Increasing military pay can be achieved through a combination of education, special skills, and experience. By acquiring specialized skills or education, military personnel can open themselves up to higher-paying job opportunities within the military. Additionally, experience and time in service can also lead to promotions and higher pay grades.
1. Enlist in a High-Paying Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)
When enlisting in the military, choosing a high-paying Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) can be an excellent way to increase military pay. Certain MOSs, such as those in the medical or technical fields, tend to pay more than others. Additionally, some MOSs may offer special pay incentives, such as hazardous duty pay or special skills pay.
Some of the highest-paying MOSs include:
- Medical Laboratory Specialist
- Pharmacy Technician
- Cybersecurity Specialist
- Intelligence Analyst
2. Get a College Education
Getting a college education can significantly increase military pay. The military offers various education assistance programs, such as the GI Bill, to help personnel pay for college. By obtaining a degree, military personnel can qualify for higher-paying officer positions or specialized enlisted positions.
Some of the most lucrative college majors for military personnel include:
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Nursing
- Business Administration
3. Acquire Special Skills
Acquiring special skills can also increase military pay. The military offers various special skills pay incentives, such as language skills pay or parachute pay. By acquiring specialized skills, military personnel can open themselves up to higher-paying job opportunities within the military.
Some of the most lucrative special skills include:
- Language skills (e.g., Arabic, Chinese, or Spanish)
- Parachute skills
- Dive skills
- Pilot skills
4. Get Promoted
Getting promoted is one of the most effective ways to increase military pay. Promotions are based on time in service, performance, and availability of positions. By performing well and taking on additional responsibilities, military personnel can increase their chances of getting promoted.
Some of the most significant pay increases come with promotions to:
- Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) ranks (e.g., Sergeant or Staff Sergeant)
- Warrant Officer ranks (e.g., Warrant Officer 1 or Chief Warrant Officer 2)
- Officer ranks (e.g., Lieutenant or Captain)
5. Take Advantage of Special Pay Incentives
The military offers various special pay incentives to encourage personnel to take on challenging or high-risk assignments. These incentives can significantly increase military pay.
Some of the most lucrative special pay incentives include:
- Hazardous duty pay (e.g., for personnel serving in combat zones)
- Subspecialty pay (e.g., for personnel with specialized skills)
- Hostile fire pay (e.g., for personnel serving in combat zones)
- Diving duty pay (e.g., for personnel serving as divers)
6. Serve in a High-Paying Duty Station
Serving in a high-paying duty station can also increase military pay. Certain duty stations, such as those in high-cost-of-living areas or combat zones, offer special pay incentives.
Some of the highest-paying duty stations include:
- Combat zones (e.g., Afghanistan or Iraq)
- High-cost-of-living areas (e.g., Hawaii or Washington D.C.)
- Overseas duty stations (e.g., Germany or Japan)
7. Utilize Education Assistance Programs
Finally, utilizing education assistance programs can also increase military pay. The military offers various education assistance programs, such as the GI Bill, to help personnel pay for college. By obtaining a degree, military personnel can qualify for higher-paying officer positions or specialized enlisted positions.
Some of the most popular education assistance programs include:
- GI Bill
- Military Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
- Army Ignited
Military Pay Image Gallery
In conclusion, increasing military pay can be achieved through a combination of education, special skills, and experience. By acquiring specialized skills or education, military personnel can open themselves up to higher-paying job opportunities within the military. Additionally, experience and time in service can also lead to promotions and higher pay grades. We hope this article has provided valuable insights into the ways to increase military pay. We encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below.