Hey, so I've been seriously considering the military as a post-graduation path. I'm curious though, is there a noticeable difference in the amount of money someone can make in different branches? Like, do certain branches typically see higher pay rates than others?
When it comes to base pay, all the branches of the U.S. military follow the same pay scale. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) publishes a military pay chart annually, which dictates the base pay for service members based on two factors: rank and years of service. This means that an E-7 with 10 years of service in the Army will make the same base pay as an E-7 with 10 years of service in the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, or Coast Guard.
However, differences may arise when considering allowances, bonuses, and special pays. Some branches may offer higher housing allowances based on the locations their members are commonly stationed. Military occupational specialties (MOS) also matter. Certain jobs in the military come with enlistment or re-enlistment bonuses, and those can differ across branches.
Lastly, Special Duty Assignment Pay can differ across branches as it's assigned to service members serving in positions with extra responsibility or difficulty.
As you can see, the variances aren't primarily tied to the branch itself, but rather the job you do within that branch and the associated costs and responsibilities that come along with it. It may be beneficial to focus less on the branch and more on the role you're interested in playing within the military. The role you play will likely have a bigger impact on your overall compensation than the branch of the military you're in.
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