Does the Air Force pay better than other military branches?

The basic pay rates of the Air Force at a given time of service and rank are the same as all other military branches.

Which military branch pays the most?

All military branches offer the same base salary, depending on your rank and years of service. However, allowances, bonuses, and special pay may differ slightly across military branches. For example, the Air Force, Navy, and Army usually offer enlistment bonuses of as high as $50,000, while Marine Corps bonuses are usually around $8,000.

Does the Air Force pay any additional benefits?

The basic pay and allowances offered by the Air Force are the same as those offered by other military branches. Nevertheless, the Air Force does offer a clear path to furthering your education. The Community College of the Air Force is the branch’s own college. All enlisted airmen are enrolled in the college on the first day of basic training.

How fast can I move up the Air Force pay scale?

Promotions in the Air Force vary by rank, but many service members advance to the next pay grade within their first few years of service. Enlisted Airmen Promotion Timeline: E-1 (Airman Basic) to E-2 (Airman): Typically after 6 months of time-in-grade E-2 to E-3 (Airman First Class): After 10 months of time-in-grade E-3 to E-4 (Senior Airman): Usually between 18–24 months of time-in-grade E-5 (Staff Sergeant) and above: Based on performance, promotion exams, and career development Officer Promotion Timeline: O-1 (Second Lieutenant) to O-2 (First Lieutenant): Typically after 24 months O-2 to O-3 (Captain): Also after 24 months of time-in-grade Promotions are influenced by several factors, including time-in-grade, performance evaluations, promotion testing, and any awards or decorations earned.

Air Force Pay: How Much Do Service Members and Civilian Employees Earn?

6 MIN READ

Published April 23, 2024 | Updated May 20, 2025

Expert Verified

Written by Priyanka Trivedi

Edited by Wes Silver

Reviewed by Teresa Dodson

Turbo Takeaways

The United States Air Force is one of the largest military employers, with over 320,000 active duty personnel currently serving, according to the most recent data. If you’re exploring a military career, the Air Force offers competitive pay, excellent benefits, and worldwide travel and education opportunities.

Air Force pay varies based on rank, years of service, and other factors. This guide breaks down Air Force salaries, pay charts, and other income components for 2025.

Keep reading to learn about enlisted and officer salaries, benefits, and how much you can expect to earn in the Air Force.

Understanding Air Force Pay Rates

The monthly base pay for USAF members is based on their rank, years of service, and pay grade. Tax-free allowances, special pay, and bonuses make up a large part of overall Air Force compensation.

You may also receive special pay based on your qualifications, specialties, duty station, and/or duty assignment. The Special and Incentive (S&I)pay can include:

Air Force personnel also receive a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), which helps pay for off-base housing if government quarters aren’t provided.

Military pay increases each year to keep up with inflation and is based on the year-over-year increase in the Consumer Price Index(CPI).

Air Force Enlisted Basic Pay Chart

Enlisted servicemen make up much of the Air Force’s personnel. Enlisted ranks are junior to officer positions, so their pay grades are significantly lower.

Here’s a sample Air Force pay chart for enlisted service members. You can find the full monthly basic pay table for enlisted members and commissioned officers on the Department of Defense’s Military Compensation website.

Air Force Officer Basic Pay Chart

Officers in the Air Force receive higher compensation in addition to a wide range of additional privileges that come with the position. Here’s a sample Air Force pay chart for commissioned officers.

Benefits and Bonuses in the Air Force

Other than the basic Air Force pay, you can also receive a benefits package and additional compensation depending on where you’re stationed and your duties. Some benefits you may receive as an Air Force active duty Service Member, Reservist, or Air National Guardsman include:

Low-cost life insurance
Comprehensive healthcare
Tax-free housing and food allowances
Thrift Savings Plan to save for retirement (the U.S. Military’s version of the private sector’s 401(k) plan)
On-base facilities for sports and recreation
Student loan repayment
Up to 100% of tuition assistance via the GI Bill or the Military Tuition Assistance Program

Differences in Pay Based on Rank and Experience

While years of service increase pay, the most significant salary jumps come from promotions to higher ranks. If you remain in your current rank, annual increases are relatively small.

Exceptional duty assignments and specialties can result in additional special pay, including incentives for certain geographic locations or carry a specific Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC).

Military pay is reviewed and increased each year, and your final paycheck will also include additional bonuses, tax-free allowances, and special pay.

Comparing Air Force Pay to Other Military Branches

When it comes to the basic pay ranges, all military branches, such as the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Space Force, Air Force, and Marine Corps pay the same. Pay is based on years of service and pay grade (or rank) in each Military branch. The benefits in all U.S. Military branches are also quite similar.

One way in which military branches may differ is through enlistment bonuses. Military branches offer signing bonuses to attract particularly skilled and/or qualified candidates and to retain active-duty service personnel.

Bonuses can change frequently, but the Air Force, Navy, and Army usually offer enlistment bonuses of as high as $50,000, while Marine Corps bonuses are usually around $8,000.

Factors Affecting Air Force Pay

Basic pay varies depending on your rank and the number of years in service. For example, in 2024, an enlisted E-1 (aka, an Army Private or Air Force Airman Basic) service member will receive a basic pay of $2,017 per month. An officer with an O-4 (aka, an Army or Air Force Major) pay grade with ten years of experience will receive a basic pay of $8,684.10 per month.

Basic pay is the primary compensation for a service member, but the paycheck will also include special pay and tax-free allowances. Most allowances are non-taxable, including the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).

Military pay also increases automatically at the start of each year. The increase in Air Force pay is determined by the year-over-year change in the Employment Cost Index (ECI). A service member’s pay increases annually to mirror the increase in private-sector salaries and wages nationwide.

Resources To Learn More About Air Force Pay

Exploring a career in the Air Force starts with understanding how Air Force pay works, what makes up your compensation, and the bonuses you may qualify for when enlisting.

For current service members, details about deductions, tax withholding, allotments, and leave are available through the Leave and Earning Statement (LES) — PDF resource. You can also stay informed about updates to Air Force pay by visiting the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) or the Military Compensation page on the Department of Defense website.

The United Services Automobile Association (USAA) is another helpful resource. As a highly rated financial institution for military members, they offer products and services designed specifically for those serving in the armed forces.

If you're currently serving or have retired from the Air Force and are struggling with unsecured debt, TurboDebt® may be able to help. With more than 20,000 5-star TurboDebt reviews, many military families have already taken steps toward reducing or eliminating their debt.

Contact TurboDebt today for a free consultation. It only takes a few minutes to find out if you qualify for a personalized debt relief solution.