Discover the average monthly salary of a US soldier, including base pay, allowances, and special duty pay. Learn how military rank, time in service, and job specialty impact earnings. Get insights into the compensation package for active duty personnel, from privates to generals, and understand the benefits beyond basic pay.
The men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces make immense sacrifices to protect their country and its citizens. One of the most common questions people have about military service is how much US soldiers earn per month. The answer to this question is not straightforward, as military pay is based on a variety of factors, including rank, time in service, and job specialty.
Understanding the US Military Pay Scale
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The US military uses a pay scale to determine how much each soldier earns per month. The pay scale is based on two main factors: rank and time in service. There are 13 enlisted ranks and 11 officer ranks in the US military, each with its own pay grade. Time in service is also a factor, with soldiers earning more as they gain experience.
Enlisted Ranks and Pay Grades
Here are the 13 enlisted ranks in the US military, along with their corresponding pay grades:
- Private (E-1)
- Private Second Class (E-2)
- Private First Class (E-3)
- Specialist/Corporal (E-4)
- Sergeant (E-5)
- Staff Sergeant (E-6)
- Sergeant First Class (E-7)
- Master Sergeant/First Sergeant (E-8)
- Sergeant Major (E-9)
- Command Sergeant Major (E-9)
- Sergeant Major of the Army (E-9)
- Chief Master Sergeant (E-9)
- Command Chief Master Sergeant (E-9)
Officer Ranks and Pay Grades
Here are the 11 officer ranks in the US military, along with their corresponding pay grades:
- Second Lieutenant (O-1)
- First Lieutenant (O-2)
- Captain (O-3)
- Major (O-4)
- Lieutenant Colonel (O-5)
- Colonel (O-6)
- Brigadier General (O-7)
- Major General (O-8)
- Lieutenant General (O-9)
- General (O-10)
- General of the Army (O-10)
US Soldier Salary Per Month
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Now that we have an understanding of the US military pay scale, let's take a look at how much US soldiers earn per month. Here are some approximate monthly salary ranges for US soldiers, based on rank and time in service:
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Private (E-1): $1,733 - $2,043 per month
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Private Second Class (E-2): $1,942 - $2,304 per month
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Private First Class (E-3): $2,044 - $2,544 per month
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Specialist/Corporal (E-4): $2,304 - $3,064 per month
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Sergeant (E-5): $2,546 - $3,434 per month
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Staff Sergeant (E-6): $2,944 - $3,944 per month
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Sergeant First Class (E-7): $3,244 - $4,434 per month
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Master Sergeant/First Sergeant (E-8): $3,644 - $5,064 per month
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Sergeant Major (E-9): $4,044 - $5,944 per month
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Command Sergeant Major (E-9): $4,344 - $6,244 per month
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Sergeant Major of the Army (E-9): $4,644 - $6,544 per month
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Chief Master Sergeant (E-9): $4,944 - $6,944 per month
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Command Chief Master Sergeant (E-9): $5,144 - $7,144 per month
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Second Lieutenant (O-1): $3,287 - $4,136 per month
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First Lieutenant (O-2): $3,787 - $4,936 per month
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Captain (O-3): $4,385 - $5,936 per month
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Major (O-4): $5,163 - $6,936 per month
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Lieutenant Colonel (O-5): $6,064 - $8,064 per month
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Colonel (O-6): $7,045 - $9,045 per month
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Brigadier General (O-7): $8,264 - $10,264 per month
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Major General (O-8): $9,445 - $11,445 per month
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Lieutenant General (O-9): $10,626 - $12,626 per month
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General (O-10): $11,799 - $13,799 per month
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General of the Army (O-10): $12,972 - $14,972 per month
Allowances and Benefits
In addition to their base salary, US soldiers also receive a variety of allowances and benefits, including:
- Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH): a tax-free allowance to help cover the cost of housing
- Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS): a tax-free allowance to help cover the cost of food
- Combat Pay: a special allowance for soldiers serving in combat zones
- Hazardous Duty Pay: a special allowance for soldiers performing hazardous duties
- Subspecialty Pay: a special allowance for soldiers with specialized skills
- Education Benefits: US soldiers are eligible for a variety of education benefits, including the GI Bill
- Healthcare Benefits: US soldiers are eligible for comprehensive healthcare benefits, including medical, dental, and pharmacy coverage
- Retirement Benefits: US soldiers are eligible for a pension and other retirement benefits after 20 years of service
Gallery of US Military Pay Charts
US Military Pay Charts
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We hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive understanding of US soldier salary per month. Remember, the pay scales and allowances listed above are subject to change, so be sure to check with the US military for the most up-to-date information. If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to reach out.