These Navy Roles Make $100,000, and They Aren’t Officers

24/7 Wall St. Insights

U.S. Navy admirals make the highest salary with an annual pay of $221,900 after 20 to 40 years of service.
Over 340,000 individuals are considering Navy personnel, and they hold various roles from midshipmen and officers to submarine officers and special operations (Navy SEALs).
While the base pay isn’t very high for many positions, Navy personnel also get basic allowances, healthcare benefits, and occasional bonuses.
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When the U.S. Navy was first assembled in 1775, there were just 620 people in its ranks: 60 officers and 560 enlisted. Enlistment rapidly rose and fell before the Navy dissipated from 1786-1793, and re-emerged after the passage of the Naval Act of 1794. Today, the total Naval military personnel is over 340,000. Joining the Navy is an attractive option for many individuals looking to enter into the military thanks to its comprehensive benefits, sense of community and camaraderie, and numerous career opportunities. (Here are the American warships and submarines with the biggest crews.)

Like all U.S. military personnel, U.S. Navy sailors are paid a minimum basic pay based on rank and years of service. That pay increased by 5.2% in 2024, the highest increase of the past two decades. On top of the basic pay, there are allowances, bonuses, and other pays. For example, all military members also receive basic allowance for subsistence, which amounts to about $3,803 annually for officers and $5,523 annually for enlisted personnel. Basic housing allowances for eligible individuals can also amount to $20,000 a year. There are also retirement contributions and health care benefits as well as possible aviation incentive pay, career sea pay, submarine, and dive duty pay.

To find every rank in the U.S. Navy, and what they’re paid, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed 2024 basic pay tables from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service for the Department of Defense as well as Navy ranks from the DOD. These ranks were matched with pay grades and are ordered by the maximum possible annual base pay, with the minimum pay used as tie breaker. 24/7 Wall St. used the monthly pay to calculate annual base pay.

When it comes to basic pay, the Seaman ranks are usually either on their initial assignment or in basic or specialized training, and are therefore lowest paid. Leadership responsibilities begin at the rank of Petty Officer Third Class. The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, appointed by the Chief of Naval Operations, is the spokesperson of the enlisted Navy force, chosen to address their issues with the highest positions in the Navy. Warrant officers hold warrants from their service secretary and are specialists and experts in certain military technologies or capabilities. (Here are the 20 strongest Navies on Earth – see where the U.S. compares.)

The commissioned ranks are the highest in the Navy. But it’s important to differentiate. O-1 to O-3 grades are junior grade, O-4 to O-6 are mid-grade, and O-7 and higher are flag officers. These positions are all paid accordingly. 24/7 Wall St. also wants to note that O-1E to O-3E officers (those with previous enlisted active-duty service) are paid extra to acknowledge their service time and experience.

Here is what every U.S. Navy rank is paid:

Why This Matters

military forces, recruitment, financing and national service concept - close up of american flag, dollar money and military badges

The U.S. military services collectively missed recruiting goals by about 41,000 recruits in 2023, the DOD noted recently. While the Navy tries to attract recruits by paying enlistment bonuses of up to $50,000, it is also important for those considering a career in the Navy to know about pay. While the basic pay may seem low, it does not include any allowances many personnel receive, in addition to different benefits and career training. Here, 24/7 Wall St. aims to provide an overview of the basic pay of Navy ranks.

28. Midshipmen

Pay: $1,340 a month or $16,074 a year

27. Seaman Recruit (SR) — pay grade: E-1

Pay with <4 mos of service — E1 <4 mos: $1,865 a month
Pay with >4 mos & <2 yrs of service: $2,017 a month or $24,206 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $2,017 a month or $24,206 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $24,206
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $24,206
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $24,206

26. Seamen Apprentice (SA) — pay grade: E-2

Pay with >4 mos & <2 yrs of service: $2,261 a month or $27,133 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $2,261 a month or $27,133 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $27,133
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $27,133
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $27,133

25. Seaman (SN) — pay grade: E-3

US Navy sailors from the back. US Navy army.

Pay with <2 yrs of service: $2,378 a month or $28,530 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $2,680 a month or $32,162 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $32,162
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $32,162
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $32,162

24. Petty Officer Third Class (PO3) — pay grade: E-4

Pay with <2 yrs of service: $2,634 a month or $31,604 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $3,197 a month or $38,369 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $36,796
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $38,369
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $38,369

23. Petty Officer Second Class (PO2) — pay grade: E-5

Pay with <2 yrs of service: $2,872 a month or $34,466 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $4,076 a month or $48,917 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $40,388
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $48,625
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $48,917

22. Ensign (ENS) — pay grade: O-1

Pay with <2 yrs of service: $3,826 a month or $45,914 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $4,815 a month or $57,776 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $57,776
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $57,776
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $57,776

21. Petty Officer First Class (PO1) — pay grade: E-6

US Navy sailors from the back. US Navy army.

Pay with <2 yrs of service: $3,136 a month or $37,627 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $4,856 a month or $58,277 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $45,011
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $52,654
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $58,277

20. Ensign (ENS) With More Than 4 Years of Creditable Service — pay grade: O1-E

Pay with 40 yrs of service: $5,978 a month or $71,736 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $57,768
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $66,300
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $71,736

19. Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) — pay grade: O-2

Knighthawk+helicopter | Replenishment at sea [Image 4 of 6]

Pay with <2 yrs of service: $4,409 a month or $52,902 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $6,101 a month or $73,210 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $71,737
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $73,210
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $73,210

18. USN Warrant Officer 1 (WO1) — pay grade: W-1

Pay with <2 yrs of service: $3,740 a month or $44,878 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $6,463 a month or $77,555 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $53,755
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $64,012
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $77,555

17. Chief Petty Officer (CPO) — pay grade: E-7

Battle+of+Peleliu | The CO of USS Peleliu casts a wreath overboard as part of a commemoration of the Battle of Midway.

Pay with <2 yrs of service: $3,625 a month or $43,500 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $6,515 a month or $78,180 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $51,696
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $58,632
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $69,096

16. Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) With More Than 4 Years of Creditable Service — pay grade: O-2E

Pay with 40 yrs of service: $7,065 a month or $84,780 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $71,736
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $79,476
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $84,780

15. USN Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO2) — pay grade: W-2

Pay with <2 yrs of service: $4,261 a month or $51,131 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $7,112 a month or $85,342 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $58,478
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $69,502
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $82,274

14. Senior Chief Petty Officer (SCPO) — pay grade: E-8

Master+Chief+Petty+Officer+of+the+Navy+MCPON | Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Russell Smith is announced as the 15th MCPON.

Pay with 8 yrs of service: $5,215 a month or $62,579 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $7,437 a month or $89,248 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $0
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $65,347
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $77,389

13. Lieutenant (LT) — pay grade: O-3

Pay with <2 yrs of service: $5,102 a month or $61,225 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $8,301 a month or $99,612 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $81,673
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $92,660
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $99,612

12. USN Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CWO3) — pay grade: W-3

USS+Gladiator+MCM-11 | USS Sentry (MCM 3), left, USS Gladiator (MCM 11), USS O'Kane (DDG 77), USS Portland (LPD 27) and the Royal Saudi Naval Forces frigate Al Riyadh (812) transit the Red Sea during exercise Indigo Defender 21.

Pay with <2 yrs of service: $4,816 a month or $57,787 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $8,447 a month or $101,365 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $63,468
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $76,450
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $93,776

11. Lieutenant LT — pay grade: O-3E

Pay with 4 yrs of service: $6,806 a month or $81,673 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $8,859 a month or $106,308 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $81,673
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $92,660
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $106,308

10. Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) — pay grade: O-4

USS+Hyman+G.+Rickover | 061011-N-8655E-001

Pay with <2 yrs of service: $5,803 a month or $69,638 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $9,689 a month or $116,269 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $87,185
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $104,209
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $116,269

9. USN Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CWO4) — pay grade: W-4

Pay with <2 yrs of service: $5,273 a month or $63,277 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $9,822 a month or $117,860 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $71,935
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $81,842
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $102,100

8. Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) — pay grade: E-9

Pay with 10 yrs of service: $6,371 a month or $76,446 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $9,891 a month or $118,696 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $0
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $76,446
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $89,665

7. Commander (CDR) — pay grade: O-5

Pay with <2 yrs of service: $6,726 a month or $80,708 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $11,427 a month or $137,120 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $98,395
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $109,836
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $133,117

6. USN Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CWO5) — pay grade: W-5

US navy sixt fleet warship transits Istanbul Strait towards the Black Sea in Turkey

Pay with 20 yrs of service: $9,376 a month or $112,507 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $12,269 a month or $147,229 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $0
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $0
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $112,507

5. Captain (CAPT) — pay grade: O-6

Pay with <2 yrs of service: $8,068 a month or $96,815 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $14,282 a month or $171,389 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $113,339
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $119,297
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $152,125

4. Rear Admiral Lower Half (RDML) — pay grade: O-7

Chile+Black+Hawk+helicopter | An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter lands aboard USS George Washington.

Pay with <2 yrs of service: $10,639 a month or $127,667 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $15,896 a month or $190,750 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $138,528
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $150,890
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $186,052

3. Rear Admiral Upper Half (RADM) — pay grade: O-8

Pay with <2 yrs of service: $12,804 a month or $153,644 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $18,458 a month or $221,497 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $162,950
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $175,702
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $205,747

2. Vice Admiral (VADM) — pay grade: O-9

Pay with 20 yrs of service: $18,096 a month or $217,152 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $18,492 a month or $221,900 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $0
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $0
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $217,152

1. Admiral (ADM) — pay grade: O-10

Pay with 20 yrs of service: $18,492 a month or $221,900 a year
Pay with 40 yrs of service: $18,492 a month or $221,900 a year
Annual pay with over 4 yrs of service: $0
Annual pay with over 10 yrs of service: $0
Annual pay with over 20 yrs of service: $221,900

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The post These Navy Roles Make $100,000, and They Aren’t Officers appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..