Military Salary - Pay Overview

The military compensation system has over 70 separate types of pay and allowances -- that's a lot to keep track of. Fortunately everything you need to know from Basic Pay, to special pay and allowances (even retired pay) can be found right here.

Fortunately everything you need to know about the military compensation system including:

• Basic Pay
• Reserve and Guard Pay
• Special Pay
• Military Allowances
• Even Retired Pay can be found right here.

Basic Pay is the base salary for a military member on active duty and counts for part of total military income. Basic Pay is electronically distributed on the 1st and 15th of every month, similar to many civilian jobs. The amount of Basic Pay depends on length of service as well as rank.

In general annual military pay raises are linked to the increase in civilian wages. However current laws governing annual pay raises no longer guarantee that military pay will be automatically set above civilian average pay increases.

Check out the Military Pay Charts page to see this year's pay and allowances.

Factors That Affect Your Pay

Did you know, in addition to advancement and promotion, the following factors will influence your pay?

• The Annual Pay Raise
• Longevity raises virtually every 2 years (based on the number of years in service)
• Promotions
• Basic Allowance for Housing Increases BAH (based on location)
• Basic Allowance for Subsistence BAS
• Cost of Living Allowance COLA (based on location)
• And Special Pay(s) (based on occupations: Combat, Flight, Hazardous Duty)

If you are transferring you can bet that your BAH and COLA will probably change.

Find Your Military Pay Chart Now

Active Duty: Active Duty Pay Charts
Guard and Reserve: Guard and Reserve Drill Pay Charts
Historical Pay Charts: Military Pay Charts Dating Back to 1949
Retiree: Retired Pay Overview
Military Retiree Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA): Retiree COLA
Disabled Veteran: Disabled Veteran Benefits Overview

KEEP UP WITH MILITARY PAY UPDATES

Military pay benefits are changing all the time -- make sure you're up to date with everything you've earned. Join Military.com for free to receive updates on all your military benefits, delivered directly to your inbox.