What Rank in the Military Matches Your Annual Income?

24/7 Wall St. Insights

• We used data from the 2024 basic pay tables from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service for the Department of Defense.
• Making the lowest wages are enlisted personnel at E-1 to E-3 / E-4 pay grades.
• Also, Discover “The Next NVIDIA”

The United States Department of Defense budget was $816.7 billion in 2023, the cost of defending our country and its allies. This robust budget covers all six of the military branches, their salaries, weapons, facilities, and development needs. Military salaries have increased recently. In 2023, military members across all branches received a 4.6% raise. Basic pay was raised again in 2024 with a 5.2% increase—the highest increase of the past two decades. Other allowances also increased in 2024, all aimed at addressing the rising cost of living.

It is important to note that these are basic pay. In addition to basic pay, all soldiers receive a basic allowance for subsistence and other allowances that may depend on their chosen career path. These include clothing monetary allowances, aviation incentives, career sea pay, hazardous duty incentives, incentives for health professions officers, and more.

Making the lowest wages are enlisted personnel at E-1 to E-3 / E-4 pay grades. These service members are usually either in some kind of training (basic or specialized) or on their initial assignment. The highest-paid military personnel are commissioned officers O-6 and higher. These generals and flag officers, who have 20 years of experience or more and vast amounts of personnel under their command, can make over $200,000 a year in basic pay. To compare, the average CEO pay is $258,900, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Another notable distinction is that the O-1E to O-3E officers – those with previous enlisted active-duty service – get paid extra in acknowledgment of their service time and experience.

To find how much American soldiers make at each pay grade, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed 2024 basic pay tables from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service for the Department of Defense. Pay grades are ordered by the maximum possible annual base pay (we used the monthly pay to calculate annual pay), with the minimum used as tie breaker. Comparable ranks for each pay grade also came from the DOD.

Why It Matters

24/7 is providing an overview of the basic pay of military members to keep readers informed on how the defense of the United States is financed. During fiscal year 2023, the military services collectively missed recruiting goals by about 41,000 recruits, the DOD noted recently. Adequate pay is one aspect of the military’s ability to attract new recruits. While initial pay may seem low, these are basic pay and do not include any allowances many personnel receive, in addition to different benefits and career training.

29. Academy Cadets, Midshipmen, and ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps)

• Pay: $1,339.50 a month or $16,074.00 a year
• Pay with 40 years of service: N/A
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: N/A
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: N/A
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: N/A

28. E-1 <4 mos

• Pay with <4 mos yrs of service: $1,865.10 a month or $22,381.20 a year
• Pay with 40 years of service: N/A
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: N/A
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: N/A
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: N/A
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Private; Marine Corps: Private; Navy: Seaman Recruit (SR); Air Force: Airman Basic

27. E-1 >4 mos

• Pay with <2 yrs of service: $2,017.20 a month or $24,206.40 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $2,017.20 a month or $24,206.40 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $24,206.40
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $24,206.40
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $24,206.40
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Private; Marine Corps: Private; Navy: Seaman Recruit (SR); Air Force: Airman Basic

26. E-2

• Pay with <2 yrs of service: $2,261.10 a month or $27,133.20 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $2,261.10 a month or $27,133.20 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $27,133.20
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $27,133.20
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $27,133.20
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Private (PV2); Marine Corps: Private First Class (PFC); Navy: Seaman Apprentice (SA); Air Force: Airman (Amn)

25. E-3

• Pay with <2 yrs of service: $2,377.50 a month or $28,530.00 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $2,680.20 a month or $32,162.40 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $32,162.40
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $32,162.40
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $32,162.40
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Private First Class (PFC); Marine Corps: Lance Corporal (LCpl); Navy: Seaman (SN); Air Force: Airman First Class (A1C)

24. E-4

• Pay with <2 yrs of service: $2,633.70 a month or $31,604.40 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $3,197.40 a month or $38,368.80 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $36,795.60
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $38,368.80
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $38,368.80
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Corporal (CPL) / Specialist (SPC); Marine Corps: Corporal (Cpl); Navy: Petty Officer Third Class (PO3); Air Force: Senior Airman (SrA)

23. E-5

• Pay with <2 yrs of service: $2,872.20 a month or $34,466.40 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $4,076.40 a month or $48,916.80 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $40,388.40
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $48,625.20
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $48,916.80
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Sergeant (SGT); Marine Corps: Sergeant (Sgt); Navy: Petty Officer Second Class (PO2); Air Force: Staff Sergeant (SSgt)

22. O-1

• Pay with <2 yrs of service: $3,826.20 a month or $45,914.40 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $4,814.70 a month or $57,776.40 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $57,776.40
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $57,776.40
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $57,776.40
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Second Lieutenant 2LT; Marine Corps: Second Lieutenant 2ndLt; Navy: Ensign ENS; Air Force: Second Lieutenant 2d Lt

21. E-6

• Pay with <2 yrs of service: $3,135.60 a month or $37,627.20 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $4,856.40 a month or $58,276.80 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $45,010.80
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $52,653.60
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $58,276.80
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Staff Sergeant (SSG); Marine Corps: Staff Sergeant (SSgt); Navy: Petty Officer First Class (PO1); Air Force: Technical Sergeant (TSgt)

20. O-1E

• Pay with 4 yrs of service: $4,814.70 a month or $57,776.40 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $5,978.10 a month or $71,737.20 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $57,776.40
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $71,737.20
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $71,737.20
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Second Lieutenant 2LT; Marine Corps: Second Lieutenant 2ndLt; Navy: Ensign ENS; Air Force: Second Lieutenant 2d Lt

19. O-2

• Pay with <2 yrs of service: $4,408.50 a month or $52,902.00 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $6,100.80 a month or $73,209.60 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $71,737.20
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $73,209.60
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $73,209.60
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: First Lieutenant 1LT; Marine Corps: First Lieutenant 1stLt; Navy: Lieutenant Junior Grade LTJG; Air Force: First Lieutenant 1st Lt

18. W-1

• Pay with <2 yrs of service: $3,739.80 a month or $44,877.60 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $6,462.90 a month or $77,554.80 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $53,755.20
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $64,011.60
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $77,554.80
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Warrant Officer 1 WO1; Marine Corps: Warrant Officer 1 WO; Navy: USN Warrant Officer 1 WO1; Air Force: N/A

17. E-7

• Pay with <2 yrs of service: $3,624.90 a month or $43,498.80 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $6,515.70 a month or $78,188.40 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $51,699.60
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $58,636.80
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $69,094.80
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Sergeant First Class (SFC); Marine Corps: Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt); Navy: Chief Petty Officer (CPO); Air Force: Master Sergeant (MSgt) / First Sergeant

16. O-2E

• Pay with 4 yrs of service: $5,978.10 a month or $71,737.20 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $7,065.00 a month or $84,780.00 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $71,737.20
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $84,780.00
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $84,780.00
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: First Lieutenant 1LT; Marine Corps: First Lieutenant 1stLt; Navy: Lieutenant Junior Grade LTJG; Air Force: First Lieutenant 1st Lt

15. W-2

• Pay with <2 yrs of service: $4,260.90 a month or $51,130.80 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $7,111.80 a month or $85,341.60 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $58,478.40
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $69,501.60
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $82,274.40
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Chief Warrant Officer 2 CW2; Marine Corps: Chief Warrant Officer 2 CWO2; Navy: USN Chief Warrant Officer 2 CWO2; Air Force: N/A

14. E-8

• Pay with 8 yrs of service (min required): $5,214.90 a month or $62,578.80 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $7,437.30 a month or $89,247.60 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $0.00
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $65,347.20
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $77,389.20
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Master Sergeant (MSG) / First Sergeant (1SG); Marine Corps: Master Sergeant (MSgt) / First Sergeant; Navy: Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO); Air Force: Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) / First Sergeant

13. O-3

• Pay with <2 yrs of service: $5,102.10 a month or $61,225.20 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $8,301.00 a month or $99,612.00 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $81,673.20
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $92,660.40
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $99,612.00
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Captain CPT; Marine Corps: Captain Capt; Navy: Lieutenant LT; Air Force: Captain Capt

12. W-3

• Pay with <2 yrs of service: $4,815.60 a month or $57,787.20 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $8,447.10 a month or $101,365.20 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $63,468.00
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $76,449.60
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $93,776.40
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Chief Warrant Officer 3 CW3; Marine Corps: Chief Warrant Officer 3 CWO3; Navy: USN Chief Warrant Officer 3 CWO3; Air Force: N/A

11. O-3E

• Pay with 4 yrs of service: $6,806.10 a month or $81,673.20 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $8,859.00 a month or $106,308.00 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $81,673.20
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $103,294.80
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $106,308.00
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Captain CPT; Marine Corps: Captain Capt; Navy: Lieutenant LT; Air Force: Captain Capt

10. O-4

• Pay with <2 yrs of service: $5,803.20 a month or $69,638.40 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $9,689.10 a month or $116,269.20 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $87,184.80
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $104,209.20
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $116,269.20
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Major MAJ; Marine Corps: Major Maj; Navy: Lieutenant Commander LCDR; Air Force: Major Maj

9. W-4

• Pay with <2 yrs of service: $5,273.10 a month or $63,277.20 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $9,821.70 a month or $117,860.40 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $71,935.20
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $81,842.40
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $102,099.60
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Chief Warrant Officer 4 CW4; Marine Corps: Chief Warrant Officer 4 CWO4; Navy: USN Chief Warrant Officer 4 CWO4; Air Force: N/A

8. E-9

• Pay with 10 yrs of service (min required): $6,370.50 a month or $76,446.00 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $9,891.30 a month or $118,695.60 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $0.00
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $76,446.00
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $89,665.20
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Sergeant Major (SGM) / Command Sergeant Major (CSM); Marine Corps: Master Gunnery Sergeant (MGySgt) / Sergeant Major (SgtMaj); Navy: Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO) / Fleet/Command Master Chief Petty Officer; Air Force: Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt) / First Sergeant / Command Chief Master Sergeant

7. O-5

• Pay with <2 yrs of service: $6,725.70 a month or $80,708.40 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $11,426.70 a month or $137,120.40 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $98,395.20
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $109,836.00
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $133,117.20
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Lieutenant Colonel LTC; Marine Corps: Lieutenant Colonel LtCol; Navy: Commander CDR; Air Force: Lieutenant Colonel Lt Col

6. W-5

• Pay with 20 years of service (min required): $9,375.60 a month or $112,507.20 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $12,269.10 a month or $147,229.20 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $0.00
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $0.00
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $112,507.20
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Chief Warrant Officer 5 CW5; Marine Corps: Chief Warrant Officer 5 CWO5; Navy: USN Chief Warrant Officer 5 CWO5; Air Force: N/A

5. O-6

• Pay with <2 yrs of service: $8,067.90 a month or $96,814.80 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $14,282.40 a month or $171,388.80 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $113,338.80
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $119,296.80
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $152,125.20
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Colonel COL; Marine Corps: Colonel Col; Navy: Captain CAPT; Air Force: Colonel Col

4. O-7

• Pay with <2 yrs of service: $10,638.90 a month or $127,666.80 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $15,895.80 a month or $190,749.60 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $138,528.00
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $150,890.40
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $186,051.60
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Brigadier General BG; Marine Corps: Brigadier General BGen; Navy: Rear Admiral Lower Half RDML; Air Force: Brigadier General Brig Gen

3. O-8

• Pay with <2 yrs of service: $12,803.70 a month or $153,644.40 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $18,458.10 a month or $221,497.20 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: $162,950.40
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: $175,701.60
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $205,747.20
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Major General MG; Marine Corps: Major General MajGen; Navy: Rear Admiral Upper Half RADM; Air Force: Major General Maj Gen

2. O-9

• Pay with 20 years of service (min required): $18,096.00 a month or $217,152.00 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $18,491.70 a month or $221,900.40 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: N/A
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: N/A
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $217,152.00
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: Lieutenant General LTG; Marine Corps: Lieutenant General LtGen; Navy: Vice Admiral VADM; Air Force: Lieutenant General Lt Gen

1. O-10

• Pay with 20 years of service (min required): $18,491.70 a month or $221,900.40 a year
• Pay with 40 yrs of service: $18,491.70 a month or $221,900.40 a year
• Annual pay with over 4 years of service: N/A
• Annual pay with over 10 years of service: N/A
• Annual pay with over 20 years of service: $221,900.40
• Rank example, by military branch: Army: General GEN; Marine Corps: General Gen; Navy: Admiral ADM; Air Force: General Gen

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