What to Know About Military IT Jobs and Their Salaries?

I'm considering IT jobs within the military, but I'm curious about what kind of salary I could expect. How does it compare to civilian IT positions? Does a career in military IT impact long-term earning potential?

One unique aspect about being in the military is that your pay isn't solely determined by your job, like in the civilian world. In the military, your salary is primarily based on your rank and time in service. Therefore, the job you have in the military —in this case, Information Technology— might not as directly influence your pay as it would in a civilian role. While working in IT in the military, you will also receive substantial benefits such as housing, medical, and food allowances, potential signing bonuses for certain skills, and scholarships for continuing education.

When considering pay, it's also important to remember that many of life's everyday expenses (housing, food, medical) can be wholly or partially covered in the military, unlike civilian positions, where these expenses need to come out of your salary.

As for your question about long-term earning potential, there are often plenty of opportunities for salary growth and promotion within the military. The skills you acquire in military IT—leadership, discipline, specialized technical expertise, etc.— are all highly sought after in civilian roles as well. Some individuals transition into civilian careers after their military service, and they can leverage their military experiences for a potentially higher salary.

For instance, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for an IT professional in the U.S is about $88,240. In contrast, depending on the rank and years of service, an IT Specialist in the military might earn a base pay of around $30,000 to $90,000, excluding the additional benefits and allowances.

Remember, it's never a simple apples-to-apples comparison, and many other factors can influence any long-term income considerations. Not to mention, careers in the military leave with you essential skills, leadership experience, and opens opportunities for education and scholarships that can pay off handsomely in the long run.