How much does an Army Soldier Make an Hour?
Contents
Introduction
Joining the Army can be a thrilling experience, and one of the most important considerations is the compensation package. Whether you’re looking to join the Army as a commissioned officer or an enlisted member, understanding your pay scale is crucial. In this article, we’ll provide you with an overview of the Army’s pay system, including how much an Army soldier can make an hour.
Pay Grades and Corresponding Pay Rates
The Army’s pay scale is based on rank and time in service. The following table highlights the Army’s pay grades, along with their corresponding annual pay rates:
| Pay Grade | 2022 Annual Pay Rate ( Basic Pay) |
|---|---|
| Private (E-1) | $19,782.40 – $21,900.80 |
| Private First Class (E-2) | $23,880.40 – $26,260.40 |
| Specialist/Corporal (E-4) | $29,493.60 – $34,464.00 |
| Sergeant (E-5) | $33,264.40 – $41,216.80 |
| Staff Sergeant (E-6) | $38,544.40 – $48,384.00 |
| Sergeant First Class (E-7) | $49,432.40 – $56,984.00 |
| Master Sergeant (E-8) | $64,352.40 – $79,344.00 |
| Sergeant Major (E-9) | $78,744.40 – $103,944.00 |
Breaking it Down to an Hourly Rate
To calculate the hourly rate, we need to know the number of working hours in a year. For the Army, the standard full-time work week is 2,040 hours per year, with some exceptions for weekend drilling, annual training, and deployments.
Let’s assume a standard full-time worker with 2,040 hours per year. Based on the pay grades above, we can calculate the hourly rate for each pay grade.
Example: Private First Class (E-2) with 2,040 hours per year
Annual pay: $24,140.40
Total hours per year: 2,040
Hourly rate: $11.82
Here’s a rough breakdown of the hourly rate for each pay grade:
• Private (E-1): $9.53 per hour
• Private First Class (E-2): $11.82 per hour
• Specialist/Corporal (E-4): $14.49 per hour
• Sergeant (E-5): $16.44 per hour
• Staff Sergeant (E-6): $19.04 per hour
• Sergeant First Class (E-7): $24.22 per hour
• Master Sergeant (E-8): $32.23 per hour
• Sergeant Major (E-9): $39.24 per hour
Additional Pay and Incentives
The hourly rate listed above is the basic pay, but Army soldiers receive additional pay and incentives based on their skills, job specialty, and deployments.
Some additional pay incentives:
• Hazardous Duty Pay: for jobs that involve risk or hardship
• Bonus Pay: for critical skill specialties, such as medic, linguist, or computer programmer
• Deployment Pay: for periods spent deployed
• Flight Pay: for aircrew members
• Language Proficiency Pay: for soldiers who speak more than one language
• Special Duty Pay: for soldiers assigned to specialty duty, such as working as a drill sergeant
How these additional pays and incentives can increase an Army soldier’s hourly rate:
For example, an Army medic with hazmat training may receive additional $2,400 per year for their skills. A linguist might receive an annual bonus of $3,600 for their proficiency. These incentives can boost the hourly rate by:
- Private (E-1): From $9.53 to $9.65 per hour
- Private First Class (E-2): From $11.82 to $11.90 per hour
- Specialist/Corporal (E-4): From $14.49 to $14.55 per hour
- Sergeant (E-5): From $16.44 to $16.53 per hour
Keep in mind that these additional pay and incentives may vary based on individual circumstances.
Conclusion
The hourly rate for an Army soldier is calculated based on their pay grade and the number of working hours per year. As you can see from the table and calculations, the hourly rate increases as the pay grade advances.
In addition to the hourly rate, Army soldiers may receive additional pay and incentives, which can further boost their take-home pay. The table below summarizes the annual and hourly rates for each pay grade:
| Pay Grade | 2022 Annual Pay Rate (Basic Pay) | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Private (E-1) | $19,782.40 – $21,900.80 | $9.53 – $10.55 |
| Private First Class (E-2) | $23,880.40 – $26,260.40 | $11.82 – $12.76 |
| Specialist/Corporal (E-4) | $29,493.60 – $34,464.00 | $14.49 – $16.43 |
| Sergeant (E-5) | $33,264.40 – $41,216.80 | $16.44 – $20.09 |
| Staff Sergeant (E-6) | $38,544.40 – $48,384.00 | $19.04 – $23.52 |
| Sergeant First Class (E-7) | $49,432.40 – $56,984.00 | $24.22 – $27.81 |
| Master Sergeant (E-8) | $64,352.40 – $79,344.00 | $32.23 – $38.92 |
| Sergeant Major (E-9) | $78,744.40 – $103,944.00 | $39.24 – $51.42 |
Keep in mind that these rates are approximate and may vary depending on individual circumstances, additional pays, and incentives. The hourly rate provided here should be used as a general guide only.
In summary, the Army offers competitive compensation packages to its members, with a clear hierarchy based on pay grade. With additional pay and incentives, Army soldiers can boost their take-home pay significantly.
