Starting base pay and potential bonuses vary depending on level of experience, accreditation and training, geographic location, and number of dependents, if any. Base pay increases with promotions and years of service. Tax-free compensation is provided for housing and meals. While it is difficult to compare your take-home pay with someone in the private sector, your base pay, in addition to an assortment of nontaxable income and benefits, provides a competitive compensation package that grows with years of service and promotions. The U.S. Public Health Service also understands the financial burden of dental school and, in coordination with certain Federal agencies, may offer loan repayment and other educational and family support programs.
Use our pay calculator to estimate your take-home pay at various points throughout your Commissioned Corps career.
Core Benefits
Commissioned Corps benefits are generous. They include:
- Competitive starting pay that increases with promotions and years of service
- Health care and dental care at no cost
- Tax-free housing and meal allowances
- Thirty days of paid vacation per year—beginning the first year
- Paid sick leave
- Paid maternity leave
- Paid Federal holidays
- Malpractice insurance coverage
- A retirement plan with benefits eligibility beginning after 20 years of service
- Thrift Savings Plan [retirement savings and investment plan similar to a 401(k)]
- Low-cost life insurance
- Low-cost health care for your family.
Additional Benefits
The Corps offers you and your family many other benefits that often exceed those found in the private sector or through the civil service, including:
- Malpractice insurance coverage
- Paid moving expenses when you join the Corps and relocation expenses if and when you change jobs
- Paid expenses for travel related to your job
- Access to military base lodging and recreational facilities
- Shopping privileges at military base grocery and department stores
- Veterans Affairs benefits, such as survivor and disability benefits, home loans, and burial allowances.
Officers in the Commissioned Corps have opportunities for mobility among government agencies and career advancement in diverse work settings. The Corps encourages you to expand your knowledge base and grow professionally so that you can effectively deal with the challenges of improving public health. Tuition and long-term training opportunities may be available.
If you are a nursing student or nurse interested in the Commissioned Corps, take the next step! E-mail us your questions, call us at 800-279-1605, or apply online now.