This is a full-time job, though part-time options are available. Still, people have to be away from home and their families for extended periods.
The sum of money the person makes is based on rank. Entry-level cadets make less than majors, etc. Here are the salaries associated with each one in the US military.
Cadets and Midshipmen
Cadets and midshipmen are still students at one of the five academies, so they get paid about $1,186 a month. They still get their monthly allotment, and most college students can’t say that. Plus, their annual salary is about $14,232.
Cadets And Midshipmen
E-1s
E-1s tend to be the lowest-paid enlisted service members and include Airman Basics (Air Force or Space Force), Privates (Army or Marines), and Seaman Recruits for the Coast Guard and Navy. Though they haven’t been active for long, they receive $1,650 a month.
E 1s
E-2s
The E-2 is the next rank in the US military. They are Private First Class (Marines), Airman (Air Force or Space Force), Private Second Class (Army), or Seaman Apprentice (Coast Guard and Navy). These people earn $2,000 per month, which adds up to $24,008 per year!
E 2s
E-3s
E-3s have less than two years of experience, and their salaries are based on how long they’re enlisted. The ranking includes Lance Corporals (Marines), Private First Class (Army), Seamen (Coast Guard and Navy), and Airmen First Class (Air Force or Space Force). They earn about $2,103 each month.
E 3s
E-4s
E-4s are generally called Senior Airmen (Air Force and Space Force), Corporals or Specialists (Army), Corporals (Marines), and Petty Officers Third Class (Coast Guard or Navy). They’ve got six years of experience and earn about $2,829 per month.
E 4s
E-5s
E-5 servicepeople have a long journey to be where they are, so they earn more. They’re called Sergeants (Army), Petty Officers Second Class (Navy or Coast Guard), and Staff Sergeants (Air Force or Space Force). Since they’ve got 12 years in service, they earn $2,541 to $3,606 per month.
E 5s
E-6s
E-6s must serve for 18+ years before they reach this rank. Since they’ve worked for so long, they could earn between $2,774 and $4,297 each month. That could end up being $51,566 annually to protect the United States.
E 6s
E-7s
E-7s include Chief Petty Officers (Navy and Coast Guard), Master Sergeants (Air Force and Space Force), Gunnery Sergeants (Marines), or Sergeants First Class (Army). Those who served two or fewer years only make about $3,207, but they can earn up to $5,765 a month.
E 7s
E-8s
E-8s have at least eight years of experience for this pay scale. That includes Master Sergeants (Army and Marines), Senior Master Sergeants (Air Force or Space Force), First Sergeants (Army), or Senior Chief Petty Officers (Coast Guard or Navy). They earn anywhere from $4,614 to $6,581 per month.
E 8s
E-9s
E-9s include Master Gunnery Sergeants (Marines), Master Chief Petty Officers (Coast Guard or Navy), Sergeant Majors (Marines), Chief Master Sergeants (Air Force and Space Force), or Sergeant Majors (Army). They make $5,637 to $8,752 and could have six-figure salaries if they’ve got more than 38 years of experience.
E 9s
W-1s
W-1s are called warrant officers, and their ranks must be approved by Congress. These are experts in particular skills and rank higher than most enlisted members. Still, they’ve got less experience, so they only earn $4,409 to $5,718 per month.
W 1s
W-2s
The next rank tier includes the Chief Warrant Officer (W-2). It’s only available in the Army, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard. The pay grades focus on how many years you serve, so you could earn $3,770 to $6,293 every month.
W 2s
W-3s
Servicepeople who make it to W-3 have more expertise and skills than others. Plus, they’re found in Military branches like the Navy or Marines. They earn $4,261 when they’re starting out but can rise up to $7,474 if they’ve got 26 or more years of experience.
W 3s
W-4s
The Coast Guard is the only one to offer the W-4 pay grade. The Army, Marines, and Navy skip it and move to W-5 status. They tend to make $4,665 to $8,691, which is based on how many years of experience they have at that level.
W 4s
W-5s
Army, Marines, and Navy service members move straight to W-5 status from W-3 status. This is the highest pay grade possible as a warrant officer. You need at least 20 years of experience to earn $8,296 per month, and those with over 38 years of experience see $10,956 a month.
W 5s
O-10s
Admirals in the Coast Guard or Navy and Generals in the Army, Marines, Space Force, and Air Force reach the O-10 level. They get a base pay of $16,608 a month, which equals about $199,299 per year, so they probably don’t mind!
O 10s
O-9s
O-9s have to be with the military for about 20 years before they reach this pay grade. It includes Vice-Admirals (Coast Guard and Navy) and Lieutenant Generals (Army, Marines, Air Force, and Space Force). They’re well-compensated and earn between $16,012 and $16,608 per month.
O 9s
O-8s
O-8s have many responsibilities, so their pay grades are higher. This tier includes Rear Admirals (Navy and Coast Guard) and Major Generals (Marines, Army, Air Force, and Space Force). Generally, they earn $11,329 to $16,333 per month.
O 8s
O-7s
O-7s are the elite ranking, so they include Rear Admiral Lowers (Navy and Coast Guard) or Brigadier Generals (Army, Marines, Air Force, and Space Force). Even if they have less experience, they earn $9,414 and can go up to $14,065 per month.
O 7s
O-6s
O-6s include Captains (Navy and Coast Guard) or Colonels (Army, Marines, Air Force, and Space Force). It’s very difficult to reach this level, so they’re well-compensated with $7,139 to $12,638 each month. They are the cream of the crop!
O 6s
O-5s
O-5s are commissioned officers and can be Commanders (Navy and Coast Guard) or Lieutenant Colonels (Army, Marines, Air Force, and Space Force). Regardless of which branch they serve in, they’re paid anywhere from $5,951 to $10,111 each month!
O 5s
O-4s
Next in line for military ranks include O-4s, which are Lieutenant Commanders (Navy or Coast Guard) and Majors (Army, Marines, Air Force, and Space Force). Sometimes, they can get to this rank quickly without experience and earn $5,135 to $8,673 per month.
O 4s
O-3Es
O-3Es can be Lieutenants or Captains, and they expect to earn tons of money with little experience. Typically, they start at $6,022 or $72,273 per year, but they make more when they gain expertise (up to $7,839 each month!)
O 3Es
O-3s
O-3s can be Lieutenants (Navy or Coast Guard) or Captains (Army, Marines, Air Force, and Space Force). People attain this rank often with no experience, but they tend to get paid less. Regardless, they earn $4,514 to $7,345 each month and are quite happy!
O 3s
O-2Es
O-2Es are technically O-2s, but they have a slightly higher pay grade. Before they’re eligible for this, they require four years as a warrant officer or enlisted member. They typically earn $5,289 to $6,251 per month, which goes higher as they learn more.
O 2Es
O-2s
O-2s are First Lieutenants (Army, Marines, Air Force, and Space Force) or Lieutenant Junior Grades (Navy and Coast Guard). As with other rankings, their pay depends on the experience they gain. However, they earn $3,901 to $5,398 per month.
O 2s
O-1Es
O-1Es tend to make more than O-1 officers, but it still depends on the amount of experience they’ve got. Typically, O-1s come straight from the academy, so O-1Es make a bit more. That can be anywhere from $4,260 to $5,289 per month.
O 1Es
O-1s
O-1s outrank W-5s, but they’re paid less because they’re often younger with less experience. Generally, they’ve recently graduated from an academy or ROTC program. Still, they make $3,385 to $4,260 per month, so they can’t complain. Check out the other perks you get from enlisting.
O 1s
Food and Groceries
Enlisted men and women receive about $386 per month for groceries and food on top of the regular pay. That’s just one of the many reasons to join, and that’s primarily why many of them do. Typically, officers only get $266 for food.
Food And Groceries
Education Benefits
When you join the military straight from high school, you can still get your education! The military generally pays for college or helps you pay off student loans. Many enlistees find that 100 percent of their tuition is paid for while they’re on active duty!
Education Benefits
Specialty Training
Those in the military learn skills they can’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re focused on a new language, shooting, or testing out guns, you can’t find those things in other programs or at your local college. Plus, you can wow your friends later.
Specialty Training
Annual Paid Vacations
Most people don’t know about the special resorts throughout the world that cater solely to military personnel. There are plenty in Japan, Germany, and South Korea. However, you’ve also got one at Walt Disney World (Shades of Green) and Waikiki (Hale Koa Hotel).
Annual Paid Vacations
Travel to Exotic Places
The military pays to relocate your family. That means you can see the world while serving, but that’s not all. You’re eligible for “space-available” flights for various areas, and many of them cost you nothing. Often, military bases have housing, too!
Travel To Exotic Places
Full- and Part-time Options
Many people don’t want to commit four years of their life to the military, but now you don’t have to. Some branches offer part-time services, so you can take care of other responsibilities while protecting your country.
Part Time And Full Time Job Working Businessman Business Concept
Tax-Free Room and Board
Often, the military gives you room and board as part of your pay, which includes meals. When you’re on active duty, you get an allowance for food, or it’s comped for you. Military housing tends to vary, but new recruits live on the base.
Tax Free Room And Board
Dental and Health Care
Those on active duty (and their families) get access to various services, such as hospitals, clinics, and dental care while near or on military installations. Plus, they can receive life insurance for free, which helps the family if they’re killed in action.
Dental And Health Care
Military Exchange Stores and Commissary
Service members and their families can even shop at military exchange stores and receive a discount. On-base housing communities often have theaters, restaurants, banks, schools, gyms, libraries, church facilities, commissaries, and more.
Military Exchange Stores And Commissary
Special Discounts and Home Loans
The federal government and most states offer support programs called veteran’s benefits. They include guarantees for home loans, small business loans, and others. In fact, the VA home loan programs ensure that buyers get zero-down financing options.
Special Discounts And Home Loans
Cash Bonuses and Guaranteed Paychecks
All service members receive a paycheck, but they might also be eligible for various enlistment bonuses. It varies by branch, and you’ve got to meet the requirements. Talk to a recruiter to find out more about these opportunities.
Cash Bonuses And Guaranteed Paychecks
Sense of Patriotism and Honor
Members of the military get many tangible perks, but they also have that feeling of patriotism and honor because of what they do. They’re trained in ways the rest of the country isn’t to protect and serve. Plus, they can use those skills throughout their lives.
Sense Of Patriotism And Honor