Every Rank in the US Army, and What They're Paid

Military

Army: Corporal | US ARMY Corporal rank patch, flag patch, with dog tag with 5.56 mm rounds on camouflage uniform

Published: June 4, 2024 9:50 am

Providing ground troops, the U.S. Army is the largest of the U.S. military service branches. The Army’s over 460,000 active-duty soldiers (as of 2022) comprise 35.4% of the military’s total active-duty members. These soldiers have to be paid, and just like in the civilian world, those with more experience and higher education are paid more. Those with higher the rank and more experience are also often in charge of larger numbers of soldiers.

To find every rank in the U.S. Army, and what they’re paid, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed 2024 basic pay tables from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service for the Department of Defense as well as Army ranks from the DOD and the Army. These ranks were matched with pay grades and are ordered by the maximum possible annual base pay (we used the monthly pay to calculate annual pay), with the minimum pay used as tie breaker.

Like all U.S. military personnel, Army soldiers are paid a minimum basic pay based on rank and years of service. The basic pay increased by 5.2% in 2024 (the highest increase of the past two decades). On top of the basic pay, there are allowances, bonuses, and other pays. For example, all military members also receive basic allowance for subsistence, which amounts to about $3,803 a year for officers and $5,523 a year for enlisted personnel. Other allowances can amount to thousands of dollars a year. (Also see: States With the Most American Armed Forces Personnel: All 50 Ranked.)

In the junior enlisted ranks, when soldiers tend to still be in training or on their initial assignment, the Army pay may seem low. But the pay increases with time and we provide pay — basic only — at four years, 10 years, and 20 years to see how the pay rises over time, assuming the same rank. Starting with the sergeant rank, these enlisted soldiers are termed noncommissioned officers and take on leadership roles … all the way to Sergeant Major of the Army. The only one person in the Army with that rank oversees all NCOs and serves as advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Army (a 4-star general).

Before commissioned officers in terms of precedence are warrant officers. These technical experts, combat leaders, trainers, and advisors are appointed by the secretary of the Army. Finally, though the lower-ranked officers are paid below some higher enlisted ranks and warrant officers, eventually officers are the highest paid in the Army. The highest paid ranks — brigadier generals through generals — can make over $150,000 a year in base pay alone. Generals 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.

(It is important to note that the O-1E to O-3E officers – those with previous enlisted active-duty service – get paid extra in acknowledgement of their service time and experience.)

Why This Matters

Army identification medallions and dollar bills on United states flag. Military pension, salary in the army or military insurance

In fiscal 2022, the Army missed its recruitment goal of 60,000 new soldiers by 15,000, and in fiscal 2023, it missed a recruitment goal of 65,000 new soldiers by 10,000. The current Army end strength of 452,000 is “the smallest since before World War II.” To attract new recruits, the Army offers up to $50,000 in recruitment bonuses. While the basic pay may seem low, it does not include any allowances many personnel receive, in addition to different benefits and career training and possible pensions at retirement. Here we aim to at least provide an overview of the basic pay of Army ranks.