When Do Soldiers Get Paid in the Military?
Learn when soldiers get paid, covering the regular compensation cycle, first payments, and practical methods of receiving military earnings.
Members of the military receive compensation for their service, designed to provide financial stability. This compensation includes basic pay, determined by rank and years of service, along with various allowances and special pays based on individual circumstances or duty assignments. Understanding military pay is important for service members to manage their finances effectively.
Standard Pay Schedule
Active-duty service members typically follow a bi-monthly pay schedule. Paydays are generally set for the 1st and the 15th of each month. This consistent schedule helps service members budget and plan for their expenses.
If a scheduled payday falls on a weekend or federal holiday, payment is advanced to the preceding business day. For example, if the 15th of the month is a Saturday, pay will be disbursed on the preceding Friday, the 14th. This ensures service members have access to their funds without delay due to non-business days.
Initial Pay for New Service Members
New service members begin accruing pay from their first day of active duty, which includes the duration of basic training. While pay starts immediately, the initial paycheck often takes longer to process compared to the regular bi-monthly schedule. This delay is due to the necessary administrative steps involved in establishing pay records, setting up direct deposit, and completing in-processing procedures.
Recruits typically receive their first payment within 21 to 45 days of entering service, although this timeframe can vary. This initial payment will include all pay accrued from the start of their service. During basic training, service members are generally compensated at the entry-level enlisted pay grade (E-1), and common allowances like Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) are limited since housing and meals are provided by the military.
Receiving Your Pay
The primary method for service members to receive their pay is through direct deposit into a designated bank or credit union account. This electronic transfer system ensures that funds are securely and efficiently delivered on scheduled paydays. Service members can typically access their Leave and Earnings Statements (LES) through the MyPay system about a week before each payday, allowing them to review their earnings and deductions.
Some military-friendly financial institutions offer early direct deposit services, which may allow service members to access their funds one to two business days before the official pay date. While the official pay date remains constant, deployments to combat zones or remote areas can introduce additional compensation. Service members in designated hostile fire or imminent danger zones may receive Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger Pay, typically $225 per month, and may be eligible for tax exemptions on their earnings. Those separated from dependents for extended periods during deployment may also receive a Family Separation Allowance of $250 per month.