What's the starting salary for Coast Guard Academy graduates?

I'm considering applying to the Coast Guard Academy and was curious what the starting salary is for graduates. Is it competitive with other military branches? I'm trying to gauge the financials after completing the program.

After graduation from the United States Coast Guard Academy, individuals are commissioned as Ensigns in the U.S. Coast Guard. As of 2024, base pay for an O-1 (Officer 1, which is the rank of Ensign) is $44,877 per year. But keep in mind, military compensation includes more than just this base salary.

First, there's the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), which is based on the cost of living where you're stationed and whether you have dependents. This allowance is non-taxable and can significantly increase your take-home pay.

Second, there’s the Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), a monthly non-taxable stipend used to buy food. In 2024, it's $316.98 per month for officers.

Lastly, service members can receive various special pays and incentive pays based on duties and skills. For example, those who are trained in foreign languages or serve on flight duty can earn extra.

So, when calculating the potential income, be sure to include these additional forms of compensation in your estimates. As to how this compares with other military branches, the pay for a given rank is the same across all branches of the military. The exact amount may vary slightly due to special pays and incentive pays, as these could depend on duties that are specific to each branch. But overall, starting pay is going to be very similar across branches.