2024 MILITARY PAY CHART - HOW MUCH DOES THE MILITARY PAY?

The 2024 military pay chart is available for the American Armed Forces! These figures represent active duty pay and drill pay that went into effect January 1, 2024, for the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Space Force. However, your actual pay may vary due to a number of factors listed below.

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2024 Military Pay Charts

There is an increase for the 2024 military pay chart based on a 5.2% raise provided through the Federal Register on December 26, 2023. Compensation varies between active duty and drill pay. Here’s how the military pay charts in 2024 break down:

2024 Active Duty Pay Chart:

2024 Drill Pay Chart:

Differences in the 2024 Military Pay Chart and Your Active Duty Pay Explained

Although the military pay chart in 2024 provides a baseline for warfighters to better understand their compensation, there are more factors in play than just your rank/pay grade and how long you’ve been in the service.

Of course, the higher your rank and the longer you have served, the more you can expect to see in payment. Officers make more than enlisted members, those who have served 10 years as opposed to those just entering earn more, etc.

However, these factors are for basic pay, whereas the military also provides a variety of special pay situations and allowances that are tax-free. This comes from a range of things including hazard pay, where you are stationed, specific qualifications and duties, etc.

Furthermore, the pay chart for the military in 2024 received an increase as the American Armed Forces do each year. These increases work to help troops with rising costs of living and to remain competitive with private-sector wage increases.

The U.S. Department of Labor decides the increase by conducting multiple calculations throughout the year. It’s based on the Employment Cost Index which is calculated in October to reflect the change over the last year and adjust wages for the following year. With that being said, Congress or the President can still adjust wages when necessary.

The 2024 military pay chart received a 5.2% automatic adjustment to help the military community combat inflation and assist with recruitment efforts. For more information about your pay, contact your CO or use the Regular Military Compensation (RMC) Calculator for an accurate estimate.

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Sources:

1. Monthly Basic Pay Table, DoD. Accessed January 2024. https://militarypay.defense.gov/Portals/3/Documents/ActiveDutyTables/2024%20Pay%20Table-Capped-FINAL.pdf

2. Reserve Drill Pay, DoD. Accessed January 2024. https://militarypay.defense.gov/Portals/3/Documents/ActiveDutyTables/2024%20Pay%20Table%20w%20Drill%20Pay%20-%201%20drill%20period.pdf