Which military service branch pays the most?

Hi all! I'm interested in joining the military, but there's a lot to consider. Money isn't everything, but it does matter. I'm curious, does one particular branch of the military typically pay more cumulatively than the others, considering basic pay, allowances, bonuses, etc? Or should I not even consider pay grades because the differences are small?

The pay scales for the military branches—Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force—are standardized across all branches based on rank and years of service due to them all being federally funded. This means a Captain in the Army makes the same base pay as a Captain in the Air Force, provided they have equivalent years of service.

However, other factors can influence total remuneration. For example, various types of special pay and bonuses are available, many of which are tied to specific occupations or roles that are considered high demand or have higher required skill sets. Some of these can be quite substantial, even upwards of $30,000 or more in some cases. For example, specialties such as nuclear technicians, divers, or aviators can get sizable bonuses in respective branches like the Navy.

Allowances for housing and food are also standard across the branches, but the actual amount can vary depending on factors like location, deployment, and family status. For example, if you're stationed in a location where the cost of living is higher, such as in San Francisco, your housing allowance will be higher than if you were stationed in a rural area.

Lastly, certain positions and assignments might grant additional pay, such as hazard pay for being in a combat zone or sea pay for naval officers aboard a ship.

So, instead of choosing a branch based on the prospect of slightly higher earnings, it might be more beneficial to consider other factors like job opportunities, chances for advancement, lifestyle, or the culture and values of a specific branch. Moreover, you should consider your personal interests and long-term career goals as they align better with some branches than others. You should speak with a recruiter for each branch you're interested to give you a comprehensive look at each branch's lifestyle, job availability, and benefits.