ARMY RESERVE PAY CHART, SALARY AND COMPENSATION
MORE THAN JUST AN EXTRA PAYCHECK
Just like your civilian job, the Army Reserve pays you for your hard work. However, unlike most civilian jobs, the Army also rewards you with thousands of dollars in bonuses on top of your salary.
What's the Pay Like?
Your wages will increase as you climb in rank and years of experience.
Basic Pay Chart For Army Reserve Soldiers*
Basic Pay — or, as the Army calls it, Drill Pay — is based on two weeks of training each year and one weekend each month. That means this salary is for just 38 days a year — on top of what you earn from your civilian job. Remember, these figures do not include bonuses.
Years of Army Experience
| Rank | <2 Years | 4 Years | 6 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private (E1) | $3,081** | — | —
|
| Private (E2) | $3,454 | $3,454 | $3,454 |
| Private First Class (E3) | $3,632 | $3,632 | $4,094 |
| Specialist or Corporal (E4) | $4,023 | $4,684 | $4,884
|
| Sergeant (E5) | $4,388 | $5,141 | $5,502
|
| Staff Sergeant (E6) | $4,790 | $5,729 | $5,965
|
*Based on 2012 pay tables.
**Pay for Private (E1) will be slightly lower for first four months of service.
Basic Pay Chart For Army Reserve Officers*
Basic Pay — or, as the Army calls it, Drill Pay — is based on two weeks of training each year and one weekend each month. That means this salary is for just 38 days a year — on top of what you earn from your civilian job. Remember, these figures do not include bonuses.
Years of Army Experience
| Rank | <2 Years | 4 Years | 6 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second Lieutenant (O1) | $5,225 | $7,354 | $7,354 |
| First Lieutenant (O2) | $6,734 | $9,132 | $9,320
|
| Captain (O3) | $7,794 | $10,397 | $10,895 |
| Major (O4) | $8,865 | $11,099 | $11,735 |
*Based on 2012 pay tables.
Bonuses: Extra Earning Money
You have many opportunities to earn extra money in the Army Reserve. These include one-time bonuses that reward Army Reserve Soldiers who have certain civilian skills and education or complete special Army Reserve training. To learn what bonuses you are qualified to earn, contact your local Recruiter.
ARMY RESERVE ENLISTMENT BONUS
Qualified non-prior service applicants who enlist for six years in the Army Reserve are eligible for up to $20,000 in enlistment bonuses.
CIVILIAN SKILLS BONUS
Qualified Army Reserve applicants who already have civilian skills that the Army Reserve needs and enlist in a critical-skill specialty for 6 years may be eligible for a bonus of up to $20,000 through the Army Civilian Acquired Skills program.
OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL BONUS
A bonus may be available to Army Reserve Officer Candidate School and warrant officer candidates in specific areas of concentration.
MIDDLE EASTERN TRANSLATOR AIDE BONUS
The Middle Eastern Translator Aide (MOS 09L) enlistment bonus is $20,000 for eligible individuals who speak certain Middle-Eastern languages and enlist as 09L in the U.S. Army Selected Reserve.
Army Reserve Chaplain Bonus
If you enter the Army Reserve to serve six years as a Reserve Troop Program Unit Chaplain you may be eligible for a bonus of up to $20,000. The bonus is payable after you complete the Chaplain Officer Basic Course, which must be within 36 months of commissioning.
ALLOWANCES: COVERING THE COST OF LIVING
In addition to salary and bonuses, the Army provides for housing, meals and uniforms for Army Reserve Soldiers on active duty status.
NOTE: Bonus amounts, eligibility criteria and qualifying Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) change frequently. To learn what the current bonuses are and bonuses you are qualified to earn, contact your local Recruiter.
