How much do you get paid a month in the army active?

Answer 1

It's based on a number of factors, from your choice in housing (on-post or off-post) to your deployment status (separation pay, hazardous AO pay) to your marital status to the amount of time you've been in the military (Army pay scales increase for every three years in service.) The following figures may not sound like a lot of money, but for the Army's level of training, job security, healthcare, average job satisfaction rating, and other non-monetary benefits, the money is often a secondary consideration to experienced soldiers.

If you're looking at enlisting, realistically anticipate not more than $12-15k your first year as an E-1, the very lowest rank in the army (though for much of that time, you will be in BCT/AIT, so you will not have housing expenses.) Within a few years, expect that pay to jump to the $30k+, as an E-6 with at least 6 years in service and living off-post can easily clear the $34k mark.

If your sights are set on commissioning as an officer, expect a modest 22-24 to start as an O-1, and increase this substantially with each promotion (a Major, with 9 years in service, can make upwards of $45-50k with certain conditions.