Military Base Pay
Military base pay is calculated by rank and time in service. For new enlistees at an E-2, the pay is just over $2,100/month.
Military Pay Charts (pdf)
The increase for 2023 is projected to be 4.6%. In 2024 (assuming the budget passes), the increase will be 5.2%.
Due to continuing inflation, the military is seeing higher than historical raises in base pay. You should not assume this trend will continue when creating a forward-looking budget.
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
Each year, adjustments are made to the housing allowance or BAH. If you are already stationed at a permanent duty station, you can only benefit from these increases.
Even if the rate for your current post decreases, you will be grandfathered into the old rate. The new rate will only affect newcomers who are assigned to that post after January 1, 2023.
If the BAH for your post has increased, you will begin receiving the increase in 2023.
BAH Calculator (based on rank and zip code)
Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)
BAS (also known as the food allowance) rates for 2023 are as follows:
Officers: $311.68
Enlisted: $452.56
Other Allowances
Other allowances for 2023 have remained largely unchanged.
Airborne: $150
Family Separation: $250
Imminent Danger Pay: $225
Hazardous Duty Pay: $150 (can be higher depending on activities)
How will the new rates affect you? Will you see an increase in your 2023 housing allowance?
Increased Pay For Married Soldiers
There are always questions about a soldier being paid more for getting married and having children. Base pay remains the same regardless of the soldier’s marital and parental status.
Family separation is obviously a new pay once the soldier is married or has children.
While BAS is sometimes regarded as an increase if the soldier is married, this is really a matter of the pay going to the soldier since he will be authorized to eat outside of the DFAC/Mess Hall. BAS is only intended to help cover the food for the soldier, not for the family.
BAH rates are different for those with dependents and without. For instance, an E5 who lives in Savannah, GA (Hunter AAF) without dependents (and is authorized to live off post) will receive $1,734. An E5 with dependents will receive a BAH of $2,022.