Calculating your Army pay is more complex than a standard civilian salary because it is composed of taxable base pay and non-taxable allowances. This calculator helps soldiers estimate their total compensation package using the 2024 pay scales.
1. Basic Pay
Basic pay is the primary salary for a soldier. It is determined by two factors: your Rank (Pay Grade) and your Years of Service. For most ranks, pay increases every two years of service (up to a certain point). It is important to note that Basic Pay is the only part of your military compensation that is subject to federal income tax.
2. Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)
BAS is meant to offset the cost of a soldier's meals. Unlike basic pay, BAS is non-taxable. For 2024, the standard rates are:
Enlisted: $460.25 per month
Officers: $316.33 per month
3. Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
BAH is a non-taxable allowance provided to soldiers to offset the cost of housing when they do not live in government-provided quarters. The amount depends on your ZIP code, pay grade, and whether or not you have dependents. Because BAH is not taxed, its "real world" value is often significantly higher than a comparable taxable salary.
Example Calculation
Suppose an E-5 (Sergeant) has 4 years of service, lives in an area with a $1,800 BAH rate, and is enlisted.
Basic Pay: ~$3,365.70
BAS: $460.25
BAH: $1,800.00
Total Monthly Pay: $5,625.95
Even though the "salary" looks like ~$67,500 annually, the fact that over $2,200 of the monthly income is non-taxable means the take-home pay is equivalent to a much higher civilian salary.