Military Money: Here’s What Men and Women in Uniform Earn

American military men and women work hard for the safety and security of our country. Many roles within the military start out at modest pay, but salaries increase as individuals rise through the ranks.

Here, GOBankingRates reveals the average pay rate of military personnel across all five branches of the U.S. military at the enlisted, warrant officer and commissioned officer pay grades. These rates, however, do not account for other kinds of pay that many military folks also obtain, such as special and incentive pay for those with specializations — including aviators and parachutists — or for those who engage in dangerous or hardship duties. Military personnel who don’t live in military housing also often receive housing and food assistance, known as Basic Allowance for Subsistence and Basic Allowance for Housing.

GOBankingRates used Defense Finance Accounting Service data for 2020 military monthly basic pay to determine what men and women in uniform earn at each pay grade. GOBankingRates also found the title for each pay grade across all five branches of the U.S. military, sourced from the United States Department of Defense. Find out what soldiers earn, and what benefits they can receive.

Last updated: Oct. 30, 2020

• Pay range: $20,797-$20,797
• Other titles: Seaman Recruit, Airman Basic
• Enlisted pay grade: E-1

• Pay range: $23,310-$23,310
• Other titles: Private First Class, Seaman Apprentice, Airman
• Enlisted pay grade: E-2

• Pay range: $24,512-$27,634
• Other titles: Lance Corporal, Seaman, Airman First Class
• Enlisted pay grade: E-3

• Pay range: $27,151-$32,958
• Other titles: Petty Officer Third Class, Senior Airman
• Enlisted pay grade: E-4

• Pay range: $29,610-$42,023
• Other titles: Petty Officer Second Class, Staff Sergeant
• Enlisted pay grade: E-5

• Pay range: $32,324-$50,065
• Other titles: Petty Officer First Class, Technical Sergeant
• Enlisted pay grade: E-6

• Pay range: $37,372-$67,169
• Other titles: Gunnery Sergeant, Chief Petty Officer, Master Sergeant
• Enlisted pay grade: E-7

• Pay range: $38,556-$66,625
• Other titles: USN Warrant Officer 1
• Warrant officer pay grade: W-1

• Pay range: $39,445-$49,637
• Other titles: Ensign
• Commissioned officer pay grade: O-1

• Pay range: $43,927-$73,318
• Other titles: USN Chief Warrant Officer 2
• Warrant officer pay grade: W-2

• Pay range: $45,450-$62,896
• Other titles: Lieutenant Junior Grade
• Commissioned officer pay grade: O-2

• Pay range: $49,644-$87,080
• Other titles: USN Chief Warrant Officer 3
• Warrant officer pay grade: W-3

• Pay range: $52,600-$85,576
• Other titles: Lieutenant
• Commissioned officer pay grade: O-3

• Pay range: $53,762-$76,676
• Other titles: Senior Chief Petty Officer, Senior Master Sergeant
• Enlisted pay grade: E-8

• Pay range: $54,360-$101,254
• Other titles: USN Chief Warrant Officer 4
• Warrant officer pay grade: W-4

• Pay range: $59,825-$99,889
• Other titles: Lieutenant Commander
• Commissioned officer pay grade: O-4

• Pay range: $65,675-$101,970
• Other titles: Master Gunnery Sergeant, Master Chief Petty Officer, Chief Master Sergeant
• Enlisted pay grade: E-9

• Pay range: $69,336-$117,799
• Other titles: Commander
• Commissioned officer pay grade: O-5

• Pay range: $83,174-$147,244
• Other titles: Captain
• Commissioned officer pay grade: O-6

• Pay range: $96,656-$126,482
• Other titles: USN Chief Warrant Officer 5
• Warrant officer pay grade: W-5

• Pay range: $109,681-$163,872
• Other titles: Rear Admiral Lower Half
• Commissioned officer pay grade: O-7

• Pay range: $131,994-$190,289
• Other titles: Rear Admiral Upper Half
• Commissioned officer pay grade: O-8

• Pay range: $186,552-$197,302
• Other titles: Vice Admiral
• Commissioned officer pay grade: O-9

• Pay range: $197,302-$197,302
• Other titles: Admiral
• Commissioned officer pay grade: O-10

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For this piece, GOBankingRates used Defense and Accounting Services data for 2020 military monthly basic pay to determine what men and women in uniform earn. For each pay grade, GOBankingRates found the (1) lowest monthly basic pay; (2) lowest annual basic pay; (3) minimum years of service required for lowest pay; (4) highest monthly basic pay; (5) highest annual basic pay; and (6) minimum years of service required for highest pay. GOBankingRates also found the title for each pay grade across all 5 branches of the U.S. military, sourced from the United States Department of Defense. All data was collected on and up to date as of October 12, 2020.