When Do Military Members Get Paid?
A clear guide to military financial compensation. Understand how service members are paid and how to verify their earnings.
Military members receive regular compensation for their service. This reliable income stream is structured to reflect their rank, years of service, and specific duty assignments. Understanding the components of this pay and the schedule for its distribution helps service members manage their finances effectively.
Standard Military Pay Dates
Military personnel are typically paid twice a month, on the 1st and the 15th of each month. This regular interval allows service members to plan their budgets with predictability.
However, the pay schedule adjusts when the 1st or 15th falls on a weekend or a federal holiday. In these instances, payment is typically deposited on the last business day preceding the scheduled payday. For example, if the 15th of the month is a Saturday, service members would receive their pay on the preceding Friday, the 14th. Similarly, if a payday coincides with a federal holiday, pay for that period might be received on the preceding business day.
Most military pay is distributed through direct deposit into a service member’s bank account. Some financial institutions offer early direct deposit programs, allowing service members to access their funds one or two business days before the official payday. These programs can provide additional flexibility, especially during months with holidays that shift pay dates.
Elements of Military Compensation
A military member’s compensation comprises basic pay, allowances, and special or incentive pays. Basic pay forms the foundation of a service member’s income, determined by their pay grade (rank) and total years of service.
In addition to basic pay, allowances provide compensation for specific needs and are generally not subject to federal income tax. The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) helps service members cover housing costs when government quarters are not provided. BAH rates vary based on the service member’s geographic duty location, pay grade, and whether they have dependents. Another allowance, the Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), is designed to offset the cost of meals for service members. BAS rates are non-taxable and are adjusted annually, with different rates for officers and enlisted personnel.
Special and incentive pays are additional forms of compensation intended to address specific qualifications, duties, or recruitment and retention needs. These can include Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay for inherently dangerous duties, Assignment Incentive Pay for difficult assignments, or Hardship Duty Pay for locations with challenging living conditions. Unlike allowances, many special and incentive pays are taxable unless earned in a designated combat zone. There are over 60 types of these pays authorized by law, designed to compensate for unique circumstances or skills.
Reviewing Your Pay Details
To understand the specifics of their compensation, military members utilize the Leave and Earnings Statement (LES). This document functions as a comprehensive pay stub, providing a detailed breakdown of all pay, allowances, deductions, and leave balances for a given month.
Service members can access their LES through the MyPay online portal, operated by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). This system allows individuals to view, print, and save their statements, as well as manage certain pay-related information. When reviewing an LES, it is important to verify the accuracy of entitlements, deductions, and leave accruals. The LES also displays tax withholding, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) contributions, and any allotments.