U.S. Army Officer Pay Scale

What's an officer earn?

A long list of factors go into what the U.S. Army pays its officers. The U.S. Army officer pay scale is determined by the officer's rank and years of service. In addition, an officer is compensated for cost of living, food and housing. There are also bonuses for having special skills, performing particularly dangerous work or serving in combat.

Features

The main feature that determines a U.S. Army officer's pay is his rank. Officer ranks are designated by the letter "O" for officer and a number indicating the specific rank. O-1 corresponds to a second lieutenant, O-2 first lieutenant, O-3 captain, O-4 major, O-5 lieutenant colonel, O-6 colonel, O-7 brigadier general, O-8 major general, O-9 lieutenant general, and O-10 general. The U.S. Army produces a pay chart every year with base salaries for every officer rank.

Time Frame

U.S. Army officer pay can vary significantly, depending on how long the officer has served. Pay for two officers of the same rank can differ by thousands of dollars per month if one has been in the Army much longer than the other. Officers who are O-1, O-2 or O-3 who were enlisted personnel or warrant officers for at least four years before becoming officers are paid more than other officers of the same rank. This difference in pay disappears once they are promoted to O-4.

Benefits

U.S. Army officers are eligible for several benefits based on their duties. If they are based outside the continental United States, they can get hardship duty pay. If they speak a foreign language, they can earn up to $12,000 per year in foreign language proficiency pay. If their job involves dangerous activities, such as jumping out of airplanes, flying aircraft or handling explosives, the officer can get hazardous duty pay. They also can get imminent danger pay for serving in a combat zone. Some imminent danger pay is excluded from taxable gross income for officers; the exclusion is limited to an amount equal to the highest current enlisted soldier's pay.

Considerations

U.S. Army officers get considerations for living expenses. If they are based outside the continental United States, they get an overseas cost-of-living allowance as compensation for the additional cost of living there. If they are based in expensive areas of the continental United States, they are paid a variable housing allowance.

Potential

Pay for officers of the U.S. Army is adjusted on a regular basis. Certain factors are changed annually, while others are determined after several years. Consult the U.S. Army officer pay scale for the latest pay rates.

Resources

• Army Domain: US Army Enlist and Recruitment Information for Army Careers