Military compensation


Military pay or military compensation is the pay system by which members of the military are compensated for their participation in the military.
As parts of government pay systems, military pay typically does not compete with private military compensation.
Because military service requires fit soldiers and commitments that might reach well beyond civilian employment, governments typically provided additional health care, military housing and retirement or veteran's benefits.
Overall, Canada's military personnel are paid the highest salaries. When comparing the top countries, Australia came in second place, based on the fact that their Private and Corporal pay scale goes up to 10 Pay incentives. A Private in the Australian military will make $88,748 AUD without any bonuses after 10 years.
International pay differences
Basic annual pay to rank in US dollars for the minimum per rank excluding all additional allowances, bonuses and benefits:
CountryPrivate Sergeant Lieutenant
Australia$32,820$43,971$36,332
Canada$27,400$52,800$43,800
France
Germany$33,600
Greece$9,250$11,000$13,500
Italy
Ireland$30,600$41,200$37,200
Japan
Malta$24,100
New Zealand$33,200$48,200$42,000
Poland$11,300$13,800$16,400
Russia
United Kingdom$26,000$47,000$43,900
United States$23,100$28,000$37,300

  1. Australia
  2. Canada
  3. United Kingdom
  4. United States
  5. France
  6. Germany
  7. Japan
  8. Russia
  9. Italy
Exchange rates used were accurate as of 02/04/2018.
Pay ranking does not include additional benefits such as medical, pension, living expenses and bonuses