How much does every rank in the Army make? The military is a great career path for some people, but finding out how much they earn is something else entirely. If you’ve been debating a career in the armed forces, this might just be what you need.
E-1 Private
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When looking at how much every rank in the Army makes you have to remember there is more than one point of entry. For people just enlisting as a basic Private, you’re looking at around $2000 a month, or $24,000 a year.
E-2 Private Second Class
Most people will make E-2 after graduating from basic training, seeing a jump to $27,000 annually. As with every rank in the Army, you aren’t going to be staying at this rank for too long.
E-3 Private First Class
The jump to E-3 sees another marginal increase in pay. As you’ll see with every rank in the Army, there is a little extra as you move up. E-3s make between $28,000 to $32,000 annually.
E-4 Specialist
Specialists are the last rank before looking at non-commissioned officers, this usually indicates you might be moving to Warrant Officer school. An E-4 is making between $31,000 to $38,000 annually.
E-4 Corporal
Corporals make the same amount as Specialists, but this means you’re on the fast track as an NCO. As with every rank in the Army, multiple career paths depend on your MOS.
E-5 Sergeant
The first NCO rank sees a fairly substantial pay hike. An E-5 Sergeant is making between $34,000 to $48,000 a year. As with every rank in the Army, your pay depends on experience, bonuses, and other factors.
E-6 Staff Sergeant
Many soldiers will make it to E-6 at the end of their compulsory service. As with every rank in the Army, there is a pay increase. You’re looking at between $38,000 to $58,000 a year.
E-7 Sergeant First Class
Sergeant First Class has some additional benefits, but the pay increase is a given. E-7 as with every rank in the Army, does have a pay range. However, you’re looking at $44,000 to $78,000 a year.
E-8 Master Sergeant, First Sergeant
The last few NCO ranks see a substantial pay increase, as with every rank in the Army the higher up you get. Master Sergeant, or E-8, can make between $63,000 to $89,000 annually.
E-9 Sergeant Major, Command Sergeant Major, Sergeant Major of the Army
The last three NCO ranks all effectively have the same pay of $76,000 to $119,000 a year. However, the responsibilities of the post differ. Sergeant Major and Command Sergeant Major are the highest NCO ranks you can reach. As with every rank in the Army, officers are on the top of the heap.
W-1 Warrant Officer 1
Warrant Officers are their own special classification, a rarity among every rank in the Army. That said, they are not considered enlisted or NCOs, operating above them in terms of overall command. A W-1 Warrant Officer can expect to make between $45,000 to $78,000 a year.
W-2 Chief Warrant Officer 2
As you move through the ranks of a Warrant Officer, you’ll see fairly substantial pay increases. W-2 Chief Warrant Officer 2 soldiers make between $51,000 to $85,000 a year.
W-3 Chief Warrant Officer 3
Another Warrant Officer upgrade, and another pay increase as you’d expect when moving through every rank in the Army. W-3 soldiers make between $58,000 to $101,000 a year.
W-4 Chief Warrant Officer 4
The last two Chief Warrant Officer ranks see a substantial pay increase. At this point, you’d likely be commanding your own unit or vehicle detachment. W-4 soldiers make between $63,000 to $118,000 a year.
W-5 Chief Warrant Officer 5
As with every rank in the Army, the top rank of a given category makes a substantial amount of money. If you’ve made it to W-5, you’re looking at between $113,000 to $147,000 a year.
O-1 Second Lieutenant
Generally, you earn your commission as an officer from special schools or military colleges. Most officer candidates will make O-1 their first rank, as with every rank in the Army. O-1 officers can make between $46,000 to $58,000 annually.
O-2 First Lieutenant
A promotion to O-2 receives a pay increase as you might expect. First Lieutenants make between $53,000 to $73,000 a year. Officers at this rank are commanding larger groups of soldiers in the field.
O-3 Captain
Captains are usually on the ground with troops, being among the few officer ranks to command larger detachments while in the field. As with every rank in the Army, there is a pay increase. O-3 officers make between $61,000 to $100,000 a year.
O-4 Major
You can make a handsome living when going through the ranks as an officer. Majors in the Army are looking at earning between $70,000 to $116,000 a year.
O-5 Lieutenant Colonel
Many officers could comfortably retire at O-5, especially given the substantial compensation. Lieutenant Colonels make around $81,000 to $137,000 a year.
O-6 Colonel
Full bird Colonels make even more than an O-5. Granted, this isn’t a surprise when looking at every rank in the Army. An O-5 makes between $96,000 to $171,000 a year.
O-7 Brigadier General
Generals in the Army are in charge of massive units. As such, even a one-star general or O-7 is a substantial jump forward in terms of overall authority and responsibilities. That said, the compensation ranges between $128,000 to $191,000 annually.
O-8 Major General
A Major General is an important part of the machine that makes the Army work. Each of the final steps in the officer ranks sees even more responsibility and power come under a single person. An O-8 makes between $154,000 to $222,000 a year.
O-9 Lieutenant General
O-9 officers make between $218,000 to $222,000 a year, the smallest overall range when looking at pay differences for every rank in the Army. A three-star General is one of the highest-ranking officers in the entire armed forces.
O-10 General, General of the Army
At the top of the command structure is General, or O-10. This rank is likely interacting with high-ranking politicians and other high-ranking officers in the other branches of the Armed Services. Compensation at this rank is fixed at $222,000 a year.
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