How Much Can I Make in the Air Force?
The United States Air Force (USAF) is one of the largest and most prestigious military services, offering a wide range of career opportunities and salaries to its enlisted and commissioned members. The pay ranges from entry-level to executive-level positions, and compensation also includes various benefits such as housing allowances, bonuses, and education assistance. In this article, we’ll explore the different salaries and compensation packages offered by the Air Force.
Contents
Enlisted Careers in the Air Force
The USAF has a diverse range of enlisted careers, which vary depending on the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) or job. Here’s a breakdown of the various salaries for enlisted personnel in the Air Force:
| Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) | Pay Grade (E-1 to E-9) | Yearly Salary (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| aero defense controller | E-1 to E-3 | $23,200 – $31,000 |
| aerospace ground equipment repairer | E-1 to E-4 | $23,700 – $33,800 |
| automatic voice network systems operator-controller-maintainer | E-1 to E-3 | $24,600 – $33,100 |
| bomber systems operators | E-1 to E-5 | $27,200 – $44,800 |
As a general rule, enlisted airmen can expect the following salary ranges:
• E-1 (Airman Basic): $21,800 – $27,500
• E-2 (Airman First Class): $23,100 – $30,700
• E-3 (Airman Chief Master Sergeant): $26,200 – $41,300
• E-4 (Senior Airman): $29,700 – $46,700
• E-5 (Staff Sergeant): $32,300 – $50,800
• E-6 (Tech Sergeant): $36,700 – $57,900
• E-7 (Master Sergeant): $40,100 – $62,900
• E-8 (Chief Master Sergeant): $52,300 – $65,900
• E-9 (Senior Enlisted Advisor): $73,600 – $100,000
Commissioned Officers in the Air Force
Commissioned officers in the USAF receive significantly higher salaries than enlisted airmen. Here are some examples of officer ranks and their corresponding salaries:
| Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) | Pay Grade (O-1 to O-10) | Yearly Salary (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Air Force pilot (jet) | O-2 (First Lieutenant) to O-5 ( Lieutenant Colonel) | $65,700 – $133,700 |
| Intelligence officer (cybersecurity) | O-2 (First Lieutenant) to O-3 (Captain) | $43,800 – $91,300 |
| Medical officer (general surgery) | O-4 (Major) to O-6 (Lieutenant Colonel) | $113,300 – $168,400 |
| Space operations officer (satellite operations) | O-3 (Captain) to O-6 (Lieutenant Colonel) | $73,800 – $133,700 |
In general, officer pay scales look like this:
• O-1 (Second Lieutenant): $41,500 – $62,000
• O-2 (First Lieutenant): $55,800 – $93,500
• O-3 (Captain): $63,000 – $123,900
• O-4 (Major): $104,400 – $178,300
• O-5 (Lieutenant Colonel): $123,100 – $208,100
• O-6 (Colonel): $153,000 – $242,900
• O-7 (Brigadier General): $203,300 – $264,500
• O-8 (Major General): $253,200 – $324,200
• O-9 (Lieutenant General): $305,900 – $394,500
• O-10 (General): $346,800 – $463,600
Bonuses and Incentives
The Air Force offers a range of bonuses and incentives to attract and retain high-performing airmen and officers. Some of the most significant bonuses and incentives include:
• Housing Allowance Bonus: Up to $120,000 per year to cover the cost of military personnel’s housing expenses while living off-base.
• Special Duty Pay: Extra pay for airmen serving in special units or performing special duties, such as pilots, nurses, and security forces members.
• Flight Pay: Additional pay for flight-ready pilots and air traffic controllers.
• Officer Continuation Pay (OCP): Payments made to officers who decide to continue serving in the Air Force beyond their mandatory separation date.
• Guaranteed Officer Selection Availability (GOSA) Pilot: A bonus guarantee program for pilots who enlist for a minimum of five years.
Taxes and Benefits
While the pay scales mentioned above are higher than those of the public sector, it’s essential to remember that military personnel also incur specific expenses, such as frequent relocations, military benefits, and healthcare deductions. Additionally, military retirement and disability benefits are income-based, so a higher income can result in significant post-service benefits.
Before making a decision, potential airmen should weigh their individual circumstances and goals to determine whether a life in the Air Force fits their needs. With all factors considered, the overall compensation package offered by the USAF can be more rewarding than that of a private sector job.
To get a better understanding of your potential salary in the Air Force, we’ve put together a table breaking down the estimated yearly take-home pay for a variety of enlisted and officer jobs. Please note that taxes and benefits can vary widely, so this is not meant to be an exhaustive guide.
| Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) | Pay Grade (E-1 to E-9) / (O-1 to O-10) | Yearly Tax-Free Earnings (2023) | Yearly take-home pay (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| aerospace ground equipment repairer (E-4) | $33,600 | $25,000 (73% take-home rate) | |
| pilot (O-5) | $133,600 | $95,000 (71% take-home rate) |
In conclusion, salaries in the Air Force can vary significantly depending on your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), pay grade, and other factors. When considering a career in the USAF, airmen should take the time to research their job-specific salary ranges, compensation packages, and benefits. While the Air Force doesn’t offer the highest paid positions, it provides valuable experience, education, and healthcare benefits that can exceed the compensation offered by other career paths.
