Basic Pay is the base salary for a soldier on active duty and counts for part of total military income. Basic Pay is electronically distributed on the 1st and 15th of every month, similar to many civilian jobs. Basic Pay for a soldier depends on length of service as well as rank (most enlisted soldiers enter the Army as a private).

Retired Soldiers are not eligible for Basic Pay but may be eligible for Retired Pay.

For more information, please visit the Military Members webpage maintained by Defense Finance and Accounting Services: https://www.dfas.mil/militarymembers.html

or the Department of Defense Financial Management Regulations:
https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/documents/fmr/Volume_07a.pdf

2024 Military Pay Charts:
https://www.dfas.mil/Portals/98/Documents/militarymembers/militarymembers/pay-tables/2024%20AC%20Pay%20Tables%20Final.docx

https://www.dfas.mil/MilitaryMembers/payentitlements/Pay-Tables/

Office of the Secretary of Defense, Military Compensation website:
https://militarypay.defense.gov/