Intro
Discover the US Army salary per month, including basic pay, allowances, and benefits for enlisted personnel and officers, with variations by rank and time in service.
The United States Army is one of the most prestigious and respected institutions in the world, offering a wide range of career opportunities for individuals who want to serve their country. One of the most important factors to consider when joining the Army is the salary and benefits package. In this article, we will explore the US Army salary per month, including the different pay grades, allowances, and benefits that soldiers can expect to receive.
The US Army uses a pay grade system to determine the monthly salary of its soldiers. The pay grade is based on the soldier's rank, time in service, and level of education. The higher the pay grade, the higher the monthly salary. The Army also offers various allowances and benefits, such as housing allowance, food allowance, and health insurance, which can significantly increase the overall compensation package.
The US Army salary per month can vary greatly depending on the pay grade and rank of the soldier. For example, a private first class (PFC) with less than two years of service can expect to earn around $1,733 per month, while a sergeant major (SGM) with over 20 years of service can earn up to $7,475 per month. The salary also increases with the level of education, with soldiers who have a bachelor's degree or higher earning more than those with only a high school diploma.
In addition to the basic pay, soldiers also receive allowances for housing, food, and other expenses. The housing allowance, also known as Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), can range from $500 to over $2,000 per month, depending on the location and rank of the soldier. The food allowance, also known as Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), is around $369 per month. Soldiers also receive health insurance, dental insurance, and other benefits, which can significantly reduce their out-of-pocket expenses.
US Army Pay Grades

The US Army pay grades are divided into three main categories: enlisted, warrant officer, and officer. The enlisted pay grades range from E-1 (private) to E-9 (sergeant major), while the warrant officer pay grades range from W-1 (warrant officer 1) to W-5 (chief warrant officer 5). The officer pay grades range from O-1 (second lieutenant) to O-10 (general).
The US Army pay grades are as follows:
- Enlisted:
- E-1 (private): $1,733 per month
- E-2 (private first class): $1,942 per month
- E-3 (specialist/corporal): $2,105 per month
- E-4 (sergeant): $2,464 per month
- E-5 (staff sergeant): $2,903 per month
- E-6 (sergeant first class): $3,424 per month
- E-7 (master sergeant/first sergeant): $4,143 per month
- E-8 (master sergeant/first sergeant): $4,792 per month
- E-9 (sergeant major): $5,473 per month
- Warrant Officer:
- W-1 (warrant officer 1): $2,896 per month
- W-2 (chief warrant officer 2): $3,651 per month
- W-3 (chief warrant officer 3): $4,449 per month
- W-4 (chief warrant officer 4): $5,283 per month
- W-5 (chief warrant officer 5): $6,185 per month
- Officer:
- O-1 (second lieutenant): $3,287 per month
- O-2 (first lieutenant): $3,787 per month
- O-3 (captain): $4,545 per month
- O-4 (major): $5,456 per month
- O-5 (lieutenant colonel): $6,552 per month
- O-6 (colonel): $7,765 per month
- O-7 (brigadier general): $9,147 per month
- O-8 (major general): $10,697 per month
- O-9 (lieutenant general): $12,391 per month
- O-10 (general): $14,262 per month
US Army Allowances

The US Army offers various allowances to help soldiers with their living expenses. The allowances are based on the soldier's rank, location, and family size. The main allowances are:
- Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH): This allowance is designed to help soldiers with their housing expenses. The BAH can range from $500 to over $2,000 per month, depending on the location and rank of the soldier.
- Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS): This allowance is designed to help soldiers with their food expenses. The BAS is around $369 per month.
- Cost of Living Allowance (COLA): This allowance is designed to help soldiers with the high cost of living in certain areas. The COLA can range from $50 to over $1,000 per month, depending on the location.
US Army Benefits

The US Army offers various benefits to its soldiers, including:
- Health insurance: The US Army offers comprehensive health insurance to its soldiers, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Education benefits: The US Army offers various education benefits, including the GI Bill, which can help soldiers pay for their education expenses.
- Retirement benefits: The US Army offers a retirement plan, which can provide soldiers with a steady income after they retire.
- Housing benefits: The US Army offers various housing benefits, including on-base housing and off-base housing allowances.
US Army Salary Per Month by Rank
The US Army salary per month can vary greatly depending on the rank and time in service. Here is a breakdown of the US Army salary per month by rank:- Private (E-1): $1,733 per month
- Private First Class (E-2): $1,942 per month
- Specialist/Corporal (E-3): $2,105 per month
- Sergeant (E-4): $2,464 per month
- Staff Sergeant (E-5): $2,903 per month
- Sergeant First Class (E-6): $3,424 per month
- Master Sergeant/First Sergeant (E-7): $4,143 per month
- Master Sergeant/First Sergeant (E-8): $4,792 per month
- Sergeant Major (E-9): $5,473 per month
- Warrant Officer 1 (W-1): $2,896 per month
- Chief Warrant Officer 2 (W-2): $3,651 per month
- Chief Warrant Officer 3 (W-3): $4,449 per month
- Chief Warrant Officer 4 (W-4): $5,283 per month
- Chief Warrant Officer 5 (W-5): $6,185 per month
- Second Lieutenant (O-1): $3,287 per month
- First Lieutenant (O-2): $3,787 per month
- Captain (O-3): $4,545 per month
- Major (O-4): $5,456 per month
- Lieutenant Colonel (O-5): $6,552 per month
- Colonel (O-6): $7,765 per month
- Brigadier General (O-7): $9,147 per month
- Major General (O-8): $10,697 per month
- Lieutenant General (O-9): $12,391 per month
- General (O-10): $14,262 per month
US Army Salary Per Month by Time in Service

The US Army salary per month can also vary depending on the time in service. Here is a breakdown of the US Army salary per month by time in service:
- Less than 2 years: $1,733 per month (E-1), $1,942 per month (E-2), $2,105 per month (E-3)
- 2-4 years: $1,942 per month (E-2), $2,105 per month (E-3), $2,464 per month (E-4)
- 4-6 years: $2,105 per month (E-3), $2,464 per month (E-4), $2,903 per month (E-5)
- 6-10 years: $2,464 per month (E-4), $2,903 per month (E-5), $3,424 per month (E-6)
- 10-15 years: $2,903 per month (E-5), $3,424 per month (E-6), $4,143 per month (E-7)
- 15-20 years: $3,424 per month (E-6), $4,143 per month (E-7), $4,792 per month (E-8)
- 20+ years: $4,143 per month (E-7), $4,792 per month (E-8), $5,473 per month (E-9)
US Army Salary Per Month by Location

The US Army salary per month can also vary depending on the location. Here is a breakdown of the US Army salary per month by location:
- Continental United States (CONUS): $1,733 per month (E-1), $1,942 per month (E-2), $2,105 per month (E-3)
- Outside Continental United States (OCONUS): $1,942 per month (E-2), $2,105 per month (E-3), $2,464 per month (E-4)
- Europe: $2,105 per month (E-3), $2,464 per month (E-4), $2,903 per month (E-5)
- Asia: $2,464 per month (E-4), $2,903 per month (E-5), $3,424 per month (E-6)
- Middle East: $2,903 per month (E-5), $3,424 per month (E-6), $4,143 per month (E-7)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average US Army salary per month?
+The average US Army salary per month can vary depending on the rank, time in service, and location. However, the average salary for an enlisted soldier is around $2,500 per month, while the average salary for an officer is around $4,000 per month.
How does the US Army pay grade system work?
+The US Army pay grade system is based on the soldier's rank, time in service, and level of education. The higher the pay grade, the higher the monthly salary. The pay grades are divided into three main categories: enlisted, warrant officer, and officer.
What benefits do US Army soldiers receive?
+US Army soldiers receive various benefits, including health insurance, education benefits, retirement benefits, and housing benefits. They also receive allowances for housing, food, and other expenses.
How does the US Army salary per month compare to other branches of the military?
+The US Army salary per month is comparable to other branches of the military, such as the Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. However, the salary can vary depending on the rank, time in service, and location.
Can I join the US Army if I have a criminal record?
+It depends on the type of crime and the severity of the offense. The US Army has strict recruiting standards, and a criminal record may disqualify you from joining. However, it's best to consult with a recruiter to determine your eligibility.
In summary, the US Army salary per month can vary greatly depending on the rank, time in service, and location. The US Army offers various allowances and benefits to help soldiers with their living expenses, including housing allowance, food allowance, and health insurance. If you're considering joining the US Army, it's essential to research the salary and benefits package to determine if it's the right career choice for you. We encourage you to share this article with others who may be interested in learning more about the US Army salary per month. You can also comment below with any questions or comments you may have.