What does enlisted military pay look like in the first year?

I'm considering enlisting in the military after high school and I'm curious about what the pay looks like during the first year as an enlistee. How much can I expect to earn, and are there any additional benefits included?

For enlisted members in the U.S. military, pay in the first year primarily depends on the rank at which one joins. Typically, most recruits, who come in as an E-1 (Private in the Army or Airman Basic in the Air Force, for example), earn a base salary of around $24,000 per year as of 2024.

There are also opportunities for pay increases as you get promoted. For instance, getting promoted to E-2 can increase your salary to about $27,130 per year. Furthermore, if you enlist for a job that's considered to be in high demand, you may also be able to receive an enlistment bonus, which can be up to $40,000 in some cases.

Aside from the base pay, you can expect to receive other benefits as well, like allowances for food and housing, which are tax-free. Those allowances vary based on where you are stationed and whether you have dependents. Other benefits include health care, retirement plans, education assistance, and potentially even bonuses for re-enlistment or for fulfilling certain service obligations.

Keep in mind that military compensation goes well beyond the basic paycheck. For instance, the GI Bill can provide significant educational benefits, and military service can provide a stepping stone to federal employment or other career opportunities after you leave the military.

Please remember that each service branch (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard) follows the same pay structure, but depending on your situation you may be entitled to different benefits and bonuses. Consider speaking with a recruiter or doing an online search for the most up-to-date and specific information for your case.