I'm trying to understand how much I could earn if I enlist in the military after high school. What is the general pay range for someone who is enlisted? Does it vary a lot based on rank and experience?
Enlisted military personnel salaries can vary significantly based on several factors such as your rank, years of service, and whether or not you make a career out of your military service.
When you first enlist, as a Private (E-1) in the Army, for example, your base pay would be around $2,000 per month. As you serve longer and get promoted to higher ranks, that base pay increases. So, for instance, with over two years of service, a Sergeant First Class (E-7) would make around $3,600 per month, and a Master Sergeant (E-8) with over six years of service would earn close to $5,200 per month.
In addition to base pay, enlisted military personnel also receive allowances for housing and subsistence, as well as special duty pay for tasks such as flying, hazardous duty, or sea duty. There are also bonuses for enlistment and re-enlistment in specific fields.
Consider that there are also benefits not directly tied to your paycheck - for example, healthcare, education assistance, and housing. These can be substantial and would be additional to the base pay.
Remember that your pay will increase as you progress through the ranks. However, promotions are competitive and depend on factors including performance, years of service, and the needs of the military.
It's worth noting that this pay scale is public information and is made available every year by the Department of Defense. An online search can provide the exact numbers for every rank and year of service.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.