The basic salaries of U. S. In every service branch, enlisted personnel and officers of the same rank are uniform. Pay increases always accompany each promotion in rank. After that, a soldier is only eligible for small pay raises based on service time within that rank. Further pay raises depend on promotion to the next level. Special duty and hazardous duty pay rates for elite troops and troops on unique, frequently dangerous missions can significantly increase a soldier’s income, but hazardous duty pay for the same job, like bomb disposal, can occasionally vary greatly between different service branches. Although it could be argued that the Marine Corps’ mission is inherently more dangerous than those of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, Marines still receive the same basic pay and incremental increases for combat pay as those other service members.
Factors that can impact Marine active-duty pay
A Marine’s rank, educational background, and family situation are just a few variables that can affect their active-duty pay scale. Here is a closer look at how each of these variables affects a Marine’s pay scale:
Marine pay scale based on rank
By taking on more responsibility and becoming eligible for promotions to higher ranks, Marines can increase the amount of their base pay scale. The basic Marine active-duty pay scales based on rank include:
Marine food and housing allowances
In addition to your basic Marine active-duty pay, you are also eligible to receive allowances for necessities like food and housing. Your meals are paid for in part by the Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS). The BAS is $372. 31 per month for enlisted members and $256. 68 per month for officers. If you do not reside in housing provided by the government, the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) helps to offset the cost of your housing. Your geographical location, pay grade, and the number of dependents you have all affect the BAH amount.
Marine pay scale based on education levels
Additionally, Marines with a bachelor’s degree or some college credits can earn more money than recruits who join right out of high school. This is due to the possibility of enlisting with an E-2 or E-3 ranking when you have at least some college credits. You might be qualified to go straight to Officer Candidate School (OCS) if you have a college degree. Instead of beginning with the rank of a Private, you will graduate from OCS with the rank of an Officer.
Commissioned Officers with less than two years of experience are paid according to the following basic Marine active-duty pay scales based on rank:
Marines with training and a degree in specific fields, depending on their major, may also be qualified for an additional sign-on bonus and special pay.
Marine pay scale based on family status
The number of dependents a Marine has does not affect how much base pay they receive. Whether you are married with many dependents or single with no dependents, the basic Marine active-duty pay scales are the same. Whether you are single and have no dependents, married and have a large number of dependents, or both, your Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) will remain the same. This is because it only serves to offset the cost of the military member’s meals. The additional housing space you require for a spouse or dependents is taken into account when determining your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).
Basic Marine active-duty salary
Depending on the ranking you have achieved, your base Marine active-duty pay scale changes. Lance Corporal (E-3) and Private First Class (E-2) are the first three ranks in the Marine Corps. The base salaries for Marines on active duty in each of these rankings are as follows:
Private (E-1) basic Marine active-duty salary
The basic Marine active-duty pay for a Private (E-1) ranking varies depending on whether or not you are within your first four months of service rather than according to how many years of service you have. As of 2020, Private (E-1) Marines will receive the following basic active-duty pay:
Marine enlisted personnel who successfully complete basic training are given the title of Private (E-1). You will continue to receive the same basic Marine active-duty pay scale after four months of service as a Private (E-1) ranking until you are promoted to Private First Class (E-2) ranking.
Private First Class (E-2) basic Marine active-duty salary
After six months of service, enlisted Marines are typically promoted to Private First Class (E-2). Private First Class (E-2) Marines’ base active-duty pay is $1,942 as of 2020. 50 per month or $23,310 per year. There is no age-related difference in the basic Marine active-duty pay for a Private First Class (E-2) rank.
Lance Corporal (E-3) basic Marine active-duty salary
After nine months of service, Marines in the enlisted branch can typically advance to the rank of Lance Corporal (E-3). The basic Marine active-duty pay for a Lance Corporal (E-3) ranking or higher varies according to your number of years of service, unlike Private (E-1) and Private First Class (E-2) rankings. Lance Corporal (E-3) Marines’ base active-duty pay as of 2020 is:
You will continue to be paid according to the basic Marine active-duty pay scale once you have three or more years of service as a Lance Corporal (E-3) before moving on to the next rank.
How to improve your pay as a Marine
Follow these steps to improve your pay as a Marine:
1. Earn incentive pay
The military offers special incentive pay for unusual assignment circumstances. As a Marine, you can increase your pay by obtaining special incentive pay like:
2. Increase your ranking
Next, increase your ranking within the Marines. As you advance in rank, your base Marine active-duty pay scale will increase. Marines must demonstrate their ability to meet the demands of the next highest Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) ranks (E-4 and E-5) by fulfilling the minimum eligibility requirements and participating in a Marine Corps Composite Score competition, unlike NCOs in the Private enlisted ranks (E-1 through E-3). In order to advance beyond the Non-Commissioned Officer ranks, they must also continue to demonstrate their capacity to meet the requirements of higher rankings.
3. Add more years of service
Next, extend your tenure with the Marines by more years. Your basic Marine active-duty pay scale will rise as you spend more time in the Marines as long as you are a Lance Corporal (E-3) or higher. After serving in the Marines for at least two years, pay increases based on years of service start, and they then increase again in your third and fourth year of service.
Your basic Marine active-duty pay scale will increase after four years of service for each additional two years of service. Only if you have attained specific rankings will your basic Marine active-duty pay scale after 20 years of service continue to rise for every two years of additional service.
What Is Military Pay Like? | How Much Will I Make In The Military 2020?
FAQ
How much do active duty Marines make?
Lance Corporal (E-3) Marines’ base active-duty pay as of 2020 is: Less than two years of service: $2,042 70 per month or $24,512. 40 per year. Two years of service: $2,171. 10 per month or $26,053. 20 per year. Three or more years of service: $2,302. 80 per month or $27,633. 60 per year.
Do Marines get paid a lot?
In the first six months of service, the base pay for an enlisted service member is less than $20,000 per year. However, soldiers’ pay rises as they gain experience and move up the ranks. The highest ranking enlisted Marine, Sgt. Ronald Green, a Major in the Marine Corps, earns over $90,000 in base pay annually.
How much do you get paid after 20 years in the Marines?
The maximum, W-5 or chief warrant officer, receives $8,054. maximum of $10,540 for those with over 20 years of service at 70 per month. 20 per month for over 38 years of experience.
