Military Pay Chart: List Of Officer Salary Depending On Their Rank

American soldiers risk their lives to protect and serve the country and its people. Their sacrifice and the dangers that they face while on duty with the military are compensated with a salary that varies based on several factors. The criteria for military pay include rank, experience, location, family members and job specialty.

Base monthly pay for each rank of military troops is decided based on the average number of years needed to reach a certain rank. Some individuals take longer while others take a shorter span of time to attain a certain rank. Business Insider recently listed the estimated salaries for service members from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service's website.

E-1

The lowest rank in the military is E-1, which includes Airman Basic from the Air Force, Private from the Army/Marine Corps and Seaman Recruit from the Navy. These members have a monthly base pay of $1,785 as of January 2021 after the first four months of active duty where they receive $1,650.30. The monthly salary for this rank does not change with years of service.

E-2

The E-2 rank includes Airman, Private, Private 1st Class and Seaman Apprentice after serving for at least six months. People who are committed enough to reach this rank can earn about $2,000.70 per month.

E-3

If an individual is able to commit to 12 months of service, they are usually promoted to E-3, which includes Airman 1st Class, Private 1st Class, Lance Corporal and Seaman. They are able to enjoy a monthly pay of $2,103.90 with less than two years of service and up to $2,371.80 for three or more years of service.

E-4

Most personnel who are promoted to E-4 have completed around two years of active duty service. The military pay for these individuals is around $2,330.40 for the first two years, and it increases to $2,829 after six years of service.

E-5

The E-5 rank includes Staff Sergeant, Sergeant and Petty Officer 2nd Class who earn $2,582.40 per month for those who have at least three years of service. The monthly base salary for this rank can go up to $2,829 for those who have at least six years of service.

E-6

Service members who are able to get promoted to E-6 are usually those who have six years of service. This rank includes Technical Sergeant, Staff Sergeant and Petty Officer 1st Class who earn $3.455.40 and up to $4,297.20 per month when they have at least 18 years of service.

E-7

It usually takes around 10 years of service for an individual to achieve rank E-7, which includes Master Sergeant, Sergeant 1st Class, Gunnery Sargeant and Chief Petty Officer. At this length of employment, personnel can earn a base monthly pay of $4,323.90, which can go up to $5,765.40 after 26 years of service.

The military also provides service members with various benefits on top of their financial compensation. These include health benefits as the Military Health System provides members, retirees and dependents with much-needed care.

They also have access to life insurance as active members are automatically enrolled in service members’ life insurance. Retirees also have the opportunity to apply for the Survivor Benefit Plan, as per the U.S. Government's website.