Some of these enlisted soldiers make much more money than the average American

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

The following list considers base salary only. Many officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel may receive additional bonuses or special payments that increase total pay. For example, some missions, such as Dangerous Taxes, offer incentive-based payouts. There are also retention bonuses for medical professionals, engineers and nuclear specialists.

Why are we talking about military pay?

As stated, military enlistments and recruitments have declined. Maintaining a strong military is important to ensure that the country is prepared 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. Let’s read on to better understand the different ranks within the military and how they are compensated.

27. E-1

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps: Private; Navy: Recruit sailors; 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

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army: Private; Navy: Apprentice Seaman; Marine Corps: Private First Class; Air Force: Airman
• Pay with <2 years of service: $24,656.40 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $24,656.40 per year

25. E-3

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army: Private 1st class; Navy: sailor; Marine Corps: Lance Corporal; Air Force: Airman 1st Class
• Pay with <2 years of service: $25,927.20 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $29,228.40 per year

24. E-4

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army: Corporal or Specialist; Navy: petty officer, 3; Marine Corps: Corporal; Class; Air Force: Senior Airman
• Pay with <2 years of service: $28,720.80 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $34,866.00 per year

23. E-5

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps: Sergeant; Navy: Petty Officer, 2nd Class; Air Force: Staff Sergeant
• Pay with <2 years of service: $31,323.60 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $44,452.80 per year

22. O-1

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force: 2nd Lieutenant; Navy: Ensign
• Pay with <2 years of service: $41,727.60 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $52,506.00 per year

21. E-6

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps: Staff Sergeant; Navy: Petty Officer 1st Class; Air Force: Technical Sergeant
• Pay with <2 years of service: $34,192.80 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $52,959.60 per year

20. O-1E

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force: 2nd Lieutenant; Navy: Ensign
• Pay with a minimum of 4 years of service: $52,506.00 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $65,192.40 per year

19. O-2

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army, Air Force, Marine Corps: 1st Lieutenant; Navy: Junior Lieutenant Grade
• Pay with <2 years of service: $48,078.00 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $66,531.60 per year

18. W-1

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps: Adjutant
• Pay with <2 years of service: $40,784.40 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $70,477.20 per year

17. E-7

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army: sergeant first class; Marines: Chief Petty Officer; Air Force: Master Sergeant
• Pay with <2 years of service: $39,531.60 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $71,053.20 per year

16. O-2E

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force: 1st lieutenant; Navy: Junior Lieutenant Grade
• Pay with a minimum of 4 years of service: $65,192.40 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $77,047.20 per year

15. W-2

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army, Navy: Chief Warrant Officer; Marine Corps: mandate
• Pay with <2 years of service: $46,465.20 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $77,554.80 per year

14. E-8

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps: Master Sergeant or First Sergeant; Marines: Chief Petty Officer; Air Force: Master Chief Master Sgt
• Pay with a minimum of 8 years of service: $56,869.20 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $81,108.00 per year

13. O-3

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force: Captain; Navy: Lieutenant
• Pay with <2 years of service: $55,638.00 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $90,522.00 per year

12. W-3

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army, Navy: Chief Warrant Officer; Marine Corps: Chief Warrant Officer 3
• Pay with <2 years of service: $52,516.80 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $92,116.80 per year

11. O-3E

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force: Captain; Navy: Lieutenant
• Pay with a minimum of 4 years of service: $74,224.80 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $96,609.60 per year

10. O-4

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force: Major; Navy: Lieutenant Commander
• Pay with <2 years of service: $63,284.40 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $105,663.60 per year

9. W-4

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army, Navy: Chief Warrant Officer; Marine Corps: Chief Warrant Officer 4
• Pay with <2 years of service: $57,502.80 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $107,107.20 per year

8. E-9

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army: Sergeant Major or Command Sergeant Major; Navy: Master Chief Petty Officer; Marine Corps: sergeant major or gunnery master sergeant; Air Force: Master Sgt
• Pay with a minimum of 10 years of service: $69,469.20 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $107,866.80 per year

8*. E-9

• Example of rank, by military branch: Senior Enlisted Advisor to the President, Joint Chiefs of Staff; sergeant-major of the army; Chief Petty Officer of the Navy; Master Sergeant of the Air Force; sergeant-major of the Navy; Master Sergeant of the Space Force; Coast Guard Master Chief Petty Officer; or Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau
• Pay anytime: $112,266.00 per year

7. O-5

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force: Lieutenant Colonel; Navy: Commander
• Pay with <2 years of service: $73,346.40 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $124,610.40 per year

6. W-5

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army, Navy: Chief Warrant Officer; Marine Corps: Chief Warrant Officer 5
• Pay with a minimum of 20 years of service: $102,243.60 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $133,794.00 per year

5. O-6

• Example of rank, by military branch: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force: Colonel; Navy: Captain
• Pay with <2 years of service: $87,984.00 per year
• Payment for 40 years of service: $155,754.00 per year

4. O-7

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

3. O-8

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

2. O-9

• Example of rank, 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

• Example of rank, 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

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