Aviation Career Incentive Pay
Aviation career incentive pay is for officers of any branch of service who spend the majority of their military career in aviation services. Enlisted members can earn a minimum of $125 per month to a maximum of $1,000 per month. The amount depends on length of service and which branch of military youre enlisted in. This chart lays it all out.
Unlike the majority of pay scales in the military, those who have been in aviation services the longest are not paid the most. Maximum payment comes at about 10 to 15 years, and then reduces around year 20.
How Much Is Drill Pay Per Month
Drill pay is the minimum amount of cash required to be paid to elements of the Armed Forces of the United States, when in full-time duty, in order to meet the financial obligations of the servicemembers family. Drill pay is usually paid in the form of military paychecks, which are paid bi-monthly. Drill pay is taxable by the federal government, but not by the state. And, depending on the duty station, drill pay is tax-free. Drill pay is not taxable for servicemembers stationed outside the continental United States. For more information, servicemembers are advised to contact their duty stations finance office..
Extra Pays And Allowances Help Take Their Salaries A Bit Further
Base pay can seem stingy, especially at the lower ranks where enlisted receive around $20,000 per year.
But troops receive a number of benefits and may qualify for extra allowances.
TRICARE Prime, the military’s primary healthcare package, is free for active duty troops saving them the $6,896 average annual premium for single payers.
When eligible to live off base, service members receive a basic allowance for housing , which increases at each paygrade the exact amount is set based on location and whether the individual has any children. Service members also receive allowances to help cover the cost of food and in expensive duty locations receive a cost of living allowance . Enlisted personnel also receive a stipend to help them pay for their uniforms.
Any portion of a service member’s salary that is labeled as an “allowance” is not taxed by the government, so service members may only have to pay taxes for roughly two-thirds of their salary.
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Basic Allowance For Subsistence
BAS is a nontaxable allowance intended to offset the cost of the service members meals. The BAS rate is adjusted annually based on the cost of food. All officers receive the same allowance, $266.18 per month in 2021. Most enlisted personnel receive the regular BAS of $386.50. Enlisted personnel in basic training are required to eat in government dining facilities and thus do not receive BAS.
How Much Do The Army Reserves Pay

Related
Army Reservists augment the ranks of active-duty soldiers and prepare to potentially serve as active duty in the case of a national emergency. Normally, members of the Army Reserves serve as part-time soldiers by training for one weekend a month and two consecutive weeks per year. During the remainder of the time, they go about regular daily life, whether it’s attending college, caring for a family or working a civilian job. For that one weekend a month, Army Reservists earn what’s known as “drill pay.”
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How We Credit Military Wages
When you apply for benefits, we automatically verify your military service. If your military service increases your benefit and we cannot get proof of your service, we will ask for your DD-214 or other proof of service before we process your application. In all cases, we add military wage credits to your earnings, not directly to your monthly benefit payment.
Enlisted Basic Pay Rates
This pay table is used to determine the monthly basic pay for enlisted servicemembers in all branches of the Armed Forces. Basic pay rates are published by the Department of Defense, and to account for cost of living.
To determine your pay rate, choose your paygrade and find the row that corresponds with your number of years’ experience in the military. You can also use our to calculate basic pay and allowances.
Years of Experience |
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Notes on the Enlisted Positions
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What Are Military Allowances
Allowances can make up a significant portion of a servicemembers salary. These are non-taxable payments that help eligible servicemembers pay for living costs.
Like other military payments, allowances vary based on your rank and years of service.
Here are a few examples of military allowances: Basic Allowance for Housing : A servicemember is entitled to this allowance when they are living in an area where government provided housing is not available. BAH rates are based on the cost of rent and utilities in the specific region the servicemember is living.
for a chart of military pay allowances.
How Much Does A Reservist Make A Month
A reservist is a soldier who serves alongside active duty members of the army. They are trained professionals who are part-time soldiers. The US Army has three categories of reservists: All Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve. The average salary of an All Army Reservist is $2,537 per month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is about $32,000 a year. The Army National Guard averages $2,524 monthly, or about $32,000 annually. Army Reserve monthly averages are at $2,507 or approximately $32,000 annually. Army Reserves also receive an annual bonus of $300 to $450. Army Reserves are called to duty by presidential order. National Guard soldiers are subject to state orders only, though the Army can request their help, during which theyre called up..
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Bah And Cola: Military Marriage Pay
Troops receive different pay levels based on whether they are married or have what is known in the military as “dependents.”
When a military member adds a dependent under his or her name in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System , he or she gets a one-time bump in pay as a part of the Basic Allowance for Housing entitlement.
That money is given to troops to help them pay for housing, including some utilities. While technically not military marriage pay, the increase can feel like that since the service member gets it only by adding a dependent, often a spouse, to his or her personnel account.
Troops who are stationed overseas or at high cost-of-living assignments may also receive a cost-of-living adjustment with their pay.
Unlike BAH, which is increased only once, COLA is based on the number of dependents a service member has. For example, although having a child will not give your service member more BAH, he or she will see a small increase to COLA with every additional member of his or her household.
Wounded Warrior Assistance Program
Soldier for life! Army Wounded Warriors receive personal access to AER assistance. Applicants located within 50 miles of a military installation should visit the on-base military aid office for a consultation. Applicants not located within 50 miles of an installation should contact their AW2 advocate or AER HQ.
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Special And Incentive Pay
When service members deploy, they receive additional pays and allowances based on their deployment location, length of deployment, and whether they have a family. Special and Incentive pays include:
- Family Separation Allowance is paid during extended periods of family separation. FSA is $250 per month.
- Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger Pay is for service members serving within an officially declared hostile fire/imminent danger zone. The current rate is $225 per month.
- Hardship Duty Pay comes in three designations.
- HDP-Location compensates service members assigned to locations outside the continental United States where living conditions are substantially below the standard members serving stateside would endure. Rates are paid in increments of $50, $100, or $150 per month, based on the level of hardship in a
- HDP-Mission compensates officers and enlisted personnel for performing designated hardship missions.
- HDP-Tempo involves personnel who are mobilized or deployed for a specified mission. Secretaries of the military departments are authorized to designate such missions, but none have been implemented.
Contributing Factors For Salary

Regardless of the service branch you choose, your pay in the military depends largely on your job performance. Your supervisors rate your performance at regular intervals. In addition, if you’re an enlisted member of the military, you’ll take tests to prove you can handle the next higher rank. If you’re an officer, each promotion depends on your performance, the needs of the service — each service only has so many officers of each rank — and the recommendation of a group of senior officers, called a promotion board.
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What Are The Benefits Of Joining Army Reserves
The benefits of joining the Army reserves are the same as the benefits of joining the regular Army. You will have to go through Basic Training, just like anyone else, but after that, you will have the chance to serve your country in the same ways as other soldiers. The Army reserves are also a great way to open the door to a career in the Army. Many soldiers join the reserves so they can gain experience or money for school once they are finished with their service commitment. The reserves are also an excellent way to stay in shape, so if you are considering joining, you should think about your health as well..
Is There Military Wife Pay Or Military Husband Pay
One myth among new or potential military spouses is that there is military wife pay. One Military.com reader even went so far as to ask advice columnist Ms. Vicki how to get her Army wife pay.
But military wife pay really is only a myth, just like the tale that every military spouse gets one free plastic surgery or a variety of other benefits-related rumors.
Although the military does have a lot of help available for spouses who want to find jobs or get more education, pay just for being a military wife or husband is not available.
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How Much Money Do You Make Being In The Military
Are you wondering how much money you can make by serving in the military? The answer depends on several factors including your rank and how long youve served. There are also more than 70 types of special pay and allowances enlisted members and officers can earn.
Lets take a closer look to get a better understanding of how much money you can make in the military.
Electronic Access To Pay Information
MyPay, a web-based service of DFAS, provides up-to-date, round-the-clock pay information for military service members, DoD civilian employees, military retirees and annuitants. Accessed through a personal identification number, the MyPay site also may be used to make address changes, review W-2 forms, or adjust contributions to the military Thrift Savings Program.
Because the service members Leave and Earnings Statement can be viewed through this secure site, many military families find MyPay especially useful during deployments. Service members often provide their PIN information to the spouse who then can access the LES through MyPay. Spouses find they are better able to help manage the familys finances while the service member is away.
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Va Disability Compensation Benefits
Veterans who have a service-related injury or illness may be entitled to VA disability compensation. Its a tax-free monthly benefit.
Visit VA.gov to learn:
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Which conditions qualify you for benefits
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How the claims process works
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How to appeal a decision you disagree with. The process changed in February 2019.
Survivors of veterans may receive compensation benefits in certain situations.
You May Be Able To Negotiate
When youre in the military, your pay is determined by your rank. In the private sector, however, theres room for negotiation. Knowing how much you need to cover your living expenses with something left over is a good starting point for determining your minimum acceptable salary.
Tip: If your employer wont negotiate on the dollar amount, you may be able to negotiate benefits like vacation time.
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Aer Was Very Helpful During The Untimely Passing Of My Spouse He Was Our Only Income I Am Very Appreciative Of The Timely Manner Of Assistance
Army Emergency Relief plays a central role in helping us preserve readiness by providing vital assistance to our Soldiers and their families. The Army continues to count on AER to assist our service members in meeting their unexpected needs. AERs support allows our Soldiers to remain focused on the mission and prepared to deploy, fight and win our nations wars.
Hon. Ryan McCarthy, former Secretary of the Army
How Much Do Army Reserves Get Paid

The U.S. Army Reserve is part-time military service. The pay is the same as active-duty pay for the same rank and time in service, but there are many differences between the two unless someone plans to do full-time active duty. Reserves cant be mobilized as easily as active-duty troops. Reserves are paid every other week, whereas active-duty troops are paid monthly. The pay scale is based on gender, rank, and time in service. Every other week, active-duty soldiers are paid a base pay. On top of that, active-duty soldiers are eligible for housing, food, medical, and other allowances. They are paid for their training. Reserves are also eligible for some of these pay items. But, the Reserves are eligible for everything active-duty pays for only if they work full-time..
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How Much Do You Get Paid In The Army Reserves
The Reserve unit that you are assigned to will determine your pay. However, on average, members of both IRR and RIR make between $400 and $600 per month, depending on their rank. The normal duty hours are not more than 36 hours, but there are some exceptions to this rule. Some units have the Reserve soldiers attend drills that last for several days..
Hostile Fire Pay Or Imminent Danger Pay
This gives servicemembers a flat $225 per month bonus when serving in an area that is designated to be hazardous. That means the member is:
- Exposed to the potential for or actual gunfire, mines, or IEDs
- Sustains injury by hostile fire or explosions
- Threatened to be injured in a foreign area due to civil war, acts of terrorism, or insurrection.
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Can My Spouse Obtain Aer Assistance If Im Deployed Or Tdy
Yes, a spouse or other eligible dependent may seek AER assistance without their sponsor being present when the Soldier is unavailable.
Unavailable is defined as:
Options for requesting assistance when the Soldier is unavailable:
- Special Power of Attorney
- Spouses or other authorized dependent must have a valid SPOA from their sponsor granting them authority to act as the sponsors attorney-in-fact to establish, change, or stop allotments as required by Financial Management Regulation DoD 7000.14-R, para 400803.
- Note: A general power of attorney is not acceptable to establish, change or stop and allotment.
What Benefits Do Reserves Get
Military reservists, regardless of how active they are, receive a monthly paycheck from a civilian employer, which they draw regardless of whether they attend military drill sessions. In the event of a disaster, a reservist may also be called upon to serve. If a reservist is activated for deployment overseas, that reservist may be paid by his employer, or he may be paid by the military..
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How Much Does A Basic Recruit Make In Army Boot Camp
Army Basic Combat Training is a ten-week training program to introduce and prepare soldiers for Army life. BCT includes training in marksmanship and weapons, physical fitness and teamwork. After completing BCT, soldiers attend Advanced Individual Training where they learn the skills needed for their specific job within the Army. Army soldiers enjoy base pay and benefits while completing BCT.
Military Pay : Basic Pay Allowances And S& i Pay
As an active-duty service member, you receive many benefits and entitlements like free access to Military OneSource services and support. One of the primary benefits to working in the military is a steady paycheck and tax-free allowances. Heres a summary of the different military pay elements you might see on your monthly Leave and Earnings Statement.
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