Highest Paying Starting Military Jobs

I'm considering joining the military after high school and am curious about which positions offer the highest pay right from the start. Does anyone know which roles provide the most lucrative salaries for new recruits?

Starting pay in the military isn't necessarily determined by the role or job you choose but rather by your pay grade and rank. However, certain occupations may qualify for enlistment bonuses and special duty pay.

When you first enlist in the military, regardless of the branch (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Space Force), your pay will be primarily determined by your rank and time in service. For example, all enlisted service personnel start at the E-1 rank (e.g., Private in the Army, Seaman Recruit in the Navy), and the monthly basic pay is the same across all branches at this level.

However, there are ways to earn more. Some military roles come with special duty pay. For example, if you qualify and choose a job as a linguist, diver, or parachutist, these roles frequently come with special duty pay due to their demanding nature and skill requirements.

Another way to boost starting income is through enlistment bonuses, which can be sizeable for certain in-demand roles. So if you qualify for a role that has a shortage, such as medical or Cyber Operations Specialist roles, you might receive an enlistment bonus. But remember, these highly demanding and technical roles generally require high ASVAB scores, prolonged and challenging training, and usually, a longer enlistment commitment.

In addition to the basic compensation, military also offers benefits such as housing allowance, medical and dental coverage, and discounted meals, which are factored into your total compensation package.

Keep in mind that when selecting a military job, it's also crucial to consider where your personal interests, skills, and long-term career goals lie, rather than just starting salary. Since your military job is likely to be your first career out of high school, it's important that it's something you are interested in and can see yourself doing for several years.