Some of These Enlisted Soldiers Make Way More Money Than the Average American

To find the military pay grades that pay the most, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed basic pay tables from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service for the Department of Defense. Pay grades are ordered by the maximum possible base pay (we used the monthly pay to calculate annual pay). Comparable ranks for each pay grade also came from the DOD. Coast Guard ranks are mostly the same as Navy ranks.

The following list only takes into account base pay. Many officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel may receive additional bonuses or special pay that boost overall wages. For example, some assignments, such as hazardous duty, offer incentive-based pay. Also, retention bonuses exist for medical professionals, engineers, and nuclear professionals.

Why Are We Talking About Military Pay?

Military budget | A lot of money for armament

As stated, military enlistment and recruitment have been down. Maintaining a strong military is important to ensure the country is ready to protect its citizens and carry out its missions. Understanding how the military compensates its soldiers is important for those considering this opportunity as a career path. Let’s read on to understand better the different levels within the military and how they are compensated.

27. E-1

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps: Private; Navy: Seaman Recruit; Air Force: Airman, Basic
Pay for E-1 <4 months of service: $1,695.00 per month
Pay for E-1 >4 months of service: $21,999.60 per year

26. E-2

Rank example, by military branch: Army: Private; Navy: Seaman Apprentice; Marine Corps: Private First Class; Air Force: Airman
Pay with <2 yrs of service: $24,656.40 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $24,656.40 per year

25. E-3

Rank example, by military branch: Army: Private First Class; Navy: Seaman; Marine Corps: Lance Corporal; Air Force: Airman First Class
Pay with <2 yrs of service: $25,927.20 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $29,228.40 per year

24. E-4

Rank example, by military branch: Army: Corporal or Specialist; Navy: Petty Officer, 3rd; Marine Corps: Corporal; Class; Air Force: Senior Airman
Pay with <2 yrs of service: $28,720.80 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $34,866.00 per year

23. E-5

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps: Sergeant; Navy: Petty Officer, 2nd Class; Air Force: Staff Sergeant
Pay with <2 yrs of service: $31,323.60 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $44,452.80 per year

22. O-1

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force: 2nd Lieutenant; Navy: Ensign
Pay with <2 yrs of service: $41,727.60 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $52,506.00 per year

21. E-6

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps: Staff Sergeant; Navy: Petty Officer 1st Class; Air Force: Technical Sergeant
Pay with <2 yrs of service: $34,192.80 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $52,959.60 per year

20. O-1E

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force: 2nd Lieutenant; Navy: Ensign
Pay with min 4 years of service: $52,506.00 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $65,192.40 per year

19. O-2

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Air Force, Marine Corps: 1st Lieutenant; Navy: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Pay with <2 yrs of service: $48,078.00 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $66,531.60 per year

18. W-1

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps: Warrant Officer
Pay with <2 yrs of service: $40,784.40 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $70,477.20 per year

17. E-7

Rank example, by military branch: Army: Sergeant First Class; Navy: Chief Petty Officer; Air Force: Master Sergeant
Pay with <2 yrs of service: $39,531.60 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $71,053.20 per year

16. O-2E

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force: 1st Lieutenant; Navy: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Pay with min 4 years of service: $65,192.40 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $77,047.20 per year

15. W-2

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Navy: Chief Warrant Officer; Marine Corps: Warrant
Pay with <2 yrs of service: $46,465.20 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $77,554.80 per year

14. E-8

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps: Master Sergeant or First Sergeant; Navy: Senior Chief Petty Officer; Air Force: Senior Master Sergeant
Pay with min 8 years of service: $56,869.20 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $81,108.00 per year

13. O-3

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force: Captain; Navy: Lieutenant
Pay with <2 yrs of service: $55,638.00 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $90,522.00 per year

12. W-3

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Navy: Chief Warrant Officer; Marine Corps: Chief Warrant Officer 3
Pay with <2 yrs of service: $52,516.80 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $92,116.80 per year

11. O-3E

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force: Captain; Navy: Lieutenant
Pay with min 4 years of service: $74,224.80 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $96,609.60 per year

10. O-4

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force: Major; Navy: Lieutenant Commander
Pay with <2 yrs of service: $63,284.40 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $105,663.60 per year

9. W-4

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Navy: Chief Warrant Officer; Marine Corps: Chief Warrant Officer 4
Pay with <2 yrs of service: $57,502.80 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $107,107.20 per year

8. E-9

Rank example, by military branch: Army: Sergeant Major or Command Sergeant Major; Navy: Master Chief Petty Officer; Marine Corps: Sergeant Major or Master Gunnery Sergeant; Air Force: Chief Master Sergeant
Pay with min 10 years of service: $69,469.20 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $107,866.80 per year

8*. E-9

Rank example, by military branch: Senior Enlisted Advisor of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; Sergeant Major of the Army; Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy; Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force; Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps; Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force; Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard; or Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau
Pay any time: $112,266.00 per year

7. O-5

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force: Lieutenant Colonel; Navy: Commander
Pay with <2 yrs of service: $73,346.40 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $124,610.40 per year

6. W-5

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Navy: Chief Warrant Officer; Marine Corps: Chief Warrant Officer 5
Pay with min 20 years of service: $102,243.60 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $133,794.00 per year

5. O-6

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force: Colonel; Navy: Captain
Pay with <2 yrs of service: $87,984.00 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $155,754.00 per year

4. O-7

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force: Brigadier General (1 star); Navy: Rear Admiral Lower Half (1 star)
Pay with <2 yrs of service: $116,020.80 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $173,347.20 per year

3. O-8

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force: Major General (2 stars); Navy: Rear Admiral Upper Half (2 stars)
Pay with <2 yrs of service: $139,626.00 per year
Pay at 40 years of service: $201,290.40 per year

2. O-9

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force: Lieutenant General (3 stars); Navy: Vice Admiral (3 stars)
Pay with 20 years of service: $197,337.60 per year
Pay from 24 years of service: $203,698.80 per year

1. O-10

Rank example, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force: General (4 stars); Navy: Admiral (4 stars)
Pay from 20 years of service:$203,698.80 per year