How Much Does a 5-Star General Make?
Understand the full financial picture for senior military leaders, from current earnings and benefits to the legacy of the five-star rank.
The compensation of the United States’ highest-ranking military officers is a subject of public interest, often leading to questions about their earnings. This includes inquiries about the “5-star general.” While the five-star rank holds a unique place in history, the contemporary military pay structure for senior officers operates differently. Understanding military compensation, including base pay, allowances, and retirement benefits, provides clarity on the financial landscape for these leaders.
Pay for Senior Active-Duty Generals
Active-duty generals and admirals, holding the pay grade of O-10, represent the highest ranks in the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard. Their compensation begins with base pay, uniformly structured across all service branches. This base pay is determined by their specific pay grade and total years of service.
For calendar year 2025, the monthly basic pay for officers at pay grades O-7 through O-10 is capped. This cap is set at the rate of basic pay for Level II of the Executive Schedule. The maximum monthly basic pay for these senior officers, including a four-star general or admiral (O-10), is $18,808.20. This figure represents the highest possible base salary for active-duty officers.
Base pay reflects their rank and extensive service, forming the foundation for other financial elements. This uniform pay scale ensures consistency across U.S. armed forces for individuals holding comparable senior leadership positions.
Additional Military Compensation and Allowances
Beyond base pay, senior military officers receive various tax-exempt allowances that significantly enhance their total compensation. These allowances are designed to offset specific living expenses and are not subject to federal or state income taxes, increasing their net financial benefit.
One significant allowance is the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), which provides compensation for housing costs in civilian markets when government quarters are not available. BAH rates vary based on the officer’s pay grade, duty location, and whether they have dependents. While BAH is intended to help service members afford housing, it is not designed to cover all housing costs.
Another allowance is the Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), which helps offset the cost of meals and food-related expenses. Unlike BAH, BAS is a flat monthly cash payment, and its rates are adjusted annually based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food cost index. For officers in 2025, the monthly BAS rate is $320.78.
Active-duty service members, including senior officers, receive comprehensive healthcare benefits through TRICARE. This program provides extensive medical coverage for service members and their families worldwide. These allowances and benefits collectively form a substantial portion of a general’s compensation.
The Historical “Five-Star” Rank
The concept of a “five-star general” refers to the historical ranks of General of the Army, Fleet Admiral, and General of the Air Force. These ranks were established during World War II. Their creation aimed to align the rank structure of the U.S. military with that of its Allied counterparts, ensuring American commanders held equivalent or superior status when leading multinational forces.
Only a select few individuals in U.S. history have been promoted to these five-star ranks. Notable figures include George C. Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Omar N. Bradley in the Army, and William D. Leahy, Ernest J. King, Chester Nimitz, and William F. Halsey in the Navy. Henry H. Arnold uniquely held the five-star rank in both the Army and later the Air Force.
Those who attained these ranks remained on active duty for life, drawing pay equivalent to their high pay grade until their deaths. The last five-star general, Omar Bradley, passed away in 1981. The official five-star ranking was retired. No active U.S. military officer currently holds a five-star rank, making the O-10 pay grade the highest active-duty compensation level today.
Military Retirement Benefits
Upon completing a full career, senior military officers, including generals, become eligible for retirement benefits. Military retirement pay is calculated based on a combination of their years of service and the highest pay grade achieved. For those under the “High-36” retirement system, the retirement pay is based on the average of the highest 36 months of basic pay.
Retirement pay is calculated by multiplying this average by 2.5% for each year of service. A general retiring after 30 years of service, for instance, would receive 75% of their average highest 36 months of basic pay as annual retirement income. This pension is a lifetime benefit.
In addition to retirement pay, retired generals and their families maintain access to comprehensive healthcare coverage through TRICARE. The benefit continues to provide medical care. These retirement provisions provide financial and medical support in their post-service years.