The Army pays its members bi-weekly. You can find information about your pay schedule on the military’s website. The website also has information about allowances and withholdings. Junior enlisted service members will receive about $1,300 more next year in take-home pay. The increase is part of a broader plan to overhaul basic pay levels and create incentives to recruit and retain the nation’s all-volunteer force.
Military pay is an important part of the compensation system for service members. It is issued on a bi-weekly basis and includes basic pay, allowances, and special pays. These payments are based on the armed forces’ standardized pay scale and are distributed based on rank and years of service. Military pay is taxed like civilian salaries and is subject to additional deductions and fees.
Service members can access their pay information on the Department of Defense’s website. They can view their pay statements and access various tools and resources there. In addition, they can also speak with a military pay representative to receive personalized assistance.
Military pay is usually deposited through direct deposit. This allows members to access their funds a few days earlier than the actual payday date. Depending on their bank, this may be one or two business days. For example, USAA and Navy Federal Credit Union offer early military pay access. In addition to their direct deposit services, they also provide helpful military pay calendars that show the dates that you can
Army Pay Charts
Army Pay Charts are a valuable tool for determining your base salary for your rank and grade in the US Military. They also include Special Duty and Assignment Pay (SDP/AP) rates. The charts are based on the recommendations of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body. They are designed to make military pay broadly comparable to civilian wages and encourage recruiting a talented workforce.
In general, military pay increases are tied to the annual Employment Cost Index, which compares changes in private sector pay with growth in the overall economy. The White House sets the ECI target each August, but Congress can approve higher or lower raises for specific categories of troops to meet other priorities.
This year’s increase will mean about $1,300 more in take-home pay for a junior enlisted soldier with three years of service. Outside advocates say even this modest increase will help many families cope with rising prices for basic items like food and fuel. It will also help the services recruit and retain the best soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines to fill critical roles.
2023 Active Duty Paydays
Including days for mid-month notice of pay advisories (NPA) and end-of-month Leave and Earning Statements. NPA and LES are available through the myPay system:
| Pay Period | Mid-month Pay Day | LES Available | End-of-Month Pay Day | LES Available |
| January | Jan. 13 | Jan. 6 | Feb. 1 | Jan. 25 |
| February | Feb. 15 | Feb. 8 | Mar. 1 | Feb. 22 |
| March | Mar. 15 | Mar. 8 | Mar. 31 | Mar. 24 |
| April | Apr. 14 | Apr. 7 | May. 1 | Apr. 21 |
| May | May 15 | May 5 | June 1 | May 25 |
| June | June 15 | June 8 | June 30 | June 23 |
| July | July 14 | July 7 | Aug. 1 | July 25 |
| August | Aug. 15 | Aug. 8 | Sep. 1 | Aug. 25 |
| September | Sep. 15 | Sep. 8 | Sep. 29 | Sep. 22 |
| October | Oct. 13 | Oct. 6 | Nov. 1 | Oct. 25 |
| November | Nov. 15 | Nov. 8 | Dec. 1 | Nov. 22 |
| December | Dec. 15 | Dec. 8 | Dec. 29 | Dec. 22 |
Military Pay Calculation
Military pay is calculated by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) and deposited directly into a servicemember’s financial institution account. DFAS sends this information to the financial institutions up to two business days earlier than official military paydays on the 1st and 15th of each month. This allows the financial institutions to expedite depositing your military base pay. This information is available on your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) and Net Pay Advice (NPA).
The LES shows your end-of-month pay, including gross pay, state and federal taxes paid, and any additional pay or allowances you are eligible for. It also includes your days of active duty, leave balances, and other important information. You can access your LES online through myPay.
TA can be used for tuition and fees at accredited academic institutions. It does not cover costs associated with professional degrees or first master’s degree, so some servicemembers may need to “top up” their TA with the Post 9/11 GI Bill or Montgomery GI Bill. Topping up is not automatic, and you must meet certain eligibility requirements to qualify for top-up.
Army Pay Tables
If you’re an active-duty service member, your paycheck starts with basic pay and expands with military allowances that help you cover expenses. These allowances are tax-exempt, so your after-tax military paycheck can go farther than a civilian’s. These military allowances include housing, subsistence, travel, and incentive pay.
The enlisted pay chart shows you how much you earn at each rank. The number on the row indicates your paygrade, while the column explains how many years you’ve been in the Army. The military raises basic pay rates each year to match growth in private-sector wages and salaries. These increases are determined by the Employment Cost Index (ECI).
The E pay scale applies to enlisted personnel, while the W and O pay scales apply to officers. Military pay tables also account for the military’s 30-day month, which makes it easier to calculate partial months of work. In cases where a paycheck is incorrect, the chain of command must be notified immediately so that the correct amount can be deposited in your bank account. Overpayments are recouped in the next few payments, while underpayments can be corrected by working out a payment plan with your unit administrator.
army tuition assistance 2023
Army tuition assistance (TA) is a military educational benefit program that helps eligible service members pay for college courses. The benefits can be used to complete undergraduate, master’s or certificate programs at a traditional on-installation or online school. TA also covers supplemental fees such as student technology fees and course materials. Unlike loans, TA does not require repayment.
Depending on the branch of service, a maximum of $250 per semester hour or $4,000 per fiscal year can be covered. The TA program allows for up to 16 credit hours of TA funding each academic year.
All TA requests must be made through ArmyIgnitED. To do so, create a new account using your USI student ID. If you’re enrolled in coursework to fulfill IPAP or AMEDD requirements, be sure to upload your Evaluated Degree Plan.
The Army’s troubled IgnitED system is not fully functional, but the service is working to fix it as quickly as possible. Until the problem is fixed, you should be aware of the risks and take steps to protect your finances.