The rewards of service.

The higher your rank, the higher your pay.

The Guard rewards you for your efforts. Whether it's two days of monthly drill, two weeks of training, or active deployment at home or abroad, you'll be earning while you serve.

Some jobs may train for slightly longer (up to 21 days), and you’ll be paid for every day you work. Soldiers with dependents may also qualify for an additional housing allowance. Plus, you only pay taxes on your base pay—not on any bonuses or pay upgrades. Don’t forget that any time you're deployed deployed:
Mobilized; being called up for active military service, either domestic or foreign.  for any reason—like assisting your state during a natural disaster—you’ll be earning Active Duty Pay, as shown on the 2012 pay table below.*

  Two Day Drill  
Monthly Active Duty * Annual Training Pay  
E-1 Private $184 - $ 198 $1,379 - $1,491
 $  690  - $  745  
E-2 Private $223 - $ 223
 $1,671 - $1,671
$  835 -  $  835
  
E-3 Private First Class $234 - $ 264 $1,757 - $1,981
 $  878 -  $  990  
E-4 Specialist/Corporal
$259 - $ 315 $1,947 - $2,363 $  973  - $1,181  
E-5 Sergeant
$283 - $ 401
 $2,123 - $3,013 $1,061 - $1,506  
E-6 Staff Sergeant $309 - $ 478 $2,318 - $3,590 $1,159 - $1,795  
E-7 Sergeant First Class $ 357 - $ 642 $2,680 - $4,815 $1,340 - $2,407  
E-8 Master Sergeant
$514 - $ 733 $3,855 - $5,497 $1,927 - $2,748  
E-9 Sergeant Major $627 - $ 974 $4,709 - $7,311 $2,354 - $3,655  
         
WO-1 Warrant Officer $368 - $636 $2,764 - $4,777 $1,382 - $2,388  
CW-2 Chief Warrant Officer $419 - $ 701 $3,149 - $5,257 $1,574 - $2,628  
CW-3 Chief Warrant Officer $475 - $ 832 $3,558 - $6,243 $1,779 - $3,121  
CW-4 Chief Warrant Officer $519 - $ 968 $3,898 - $7,260 $1,949 - $3,630  
CW-5 Chief Warrant Officer $924 - $1,209 $6,930 - $9,068 $3,465 - $4,534  
         
O-1 Second Lieutenant 
$  377  - $ 590 $  2,828 - $ 4,418 $1,414 - $2,209  
O-2 First Lieutenant $  434  - $ 696 $  3,258 - $ 5,222 $1,629 - $2,611  
O-3 Captain $ 502  - $ 873
 $  3,771 - $ 6,548 $1,885 - $3,274  
O-4 Major $ 571  - $ 954 $  4,289 - $ 7,161 $2,144 - $3,580  
O-5 Lieutenant Colonel
$  662  - $1,126 $  4,971 - $ 8,446
$2,485 - $4,223  
O-6 Colonel $  795  - $1,426 $  5,963 - $10,557 $2,981 - $5,278  
O-7 Brigadier General $1,072 - $1,602 $  8,045 - $12,201 $4,022 - $6,100  
O-8 Major General
$  9,531 - $13,739
 
O-9 Lieutenant General

$13,470 - $16,709
 
O-10 General

$15,401 - $18,936
 

* These are base pay figures for a typical 14-day Annual Training period. Your total pay will be based on the actual number of days worked plus any applicable allowances, such as food and housing.

(Pay rates are effective January 1, 2012)

For a more accurate picture of what you might expect to earn, check out our Pay Calculator (at right), or talk to your local recruiter.

Move up in rank fast

You may qualify for an advance in grade—move up a rank—if you have certain skills that have been acquired through civilian experience or education, under the Civilian Acquired Skills Program (CASP) program. Your recruiter will be able to help you determine if you meet the requirements.

An advance in grade may also be available for the following:

  • Soldiers who refer new recruits through the Stripes for Buddies Stripes for Buddies:
    This program allows recruits to enter at a higher rank—and higher pay grade—by referring other well-qualified recruits.      program. 
  • Serving 2 or 3 years in high school ROTC (JROTC)
  • Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) for College ROTC
  • Completing college hours (more hours = more advancement)
  • Boy Scouts Eagle Certificate Form 58-708, or Girl Scout Gold Award Certificate
  • Split Option Training