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Benefits/ Air Force Active Duty

Keeping you ready
for success

Federal Benefits

From the moment you earn your wings, you’re eligible for a wide range of benefits to support you in building your future—on duty and off.

  1. 01 Insurance

    • Excellent, low-cost insurance rates
    • Comprehensive medical and dental care
    • Full pay and allowance for sick days
    • Low-cost life insurance

  2. 02 Food and housing

    • Living expenses coverage for those living on base
    • Monthly tax-free housing allowance for Airmen living off-base
    • Tax-free department and grocery stores with prices below the average of off-base retail options
    • Monthly food allowances

  3. 03 Retirement

    • Eligibility to retire after 20 years of service
    • Thrift Savings Plan, which allows Airmen to place a portion of their monthly pay into an account similar to a 401(k) account

  4. 04 Education

    • Up to 100% tuition assistance through the Air Force Tuition Assistance Program, post 9/11 GI Bill or the Montgomery GI Bill Ability to earn college credit during basic training Available student loan repayment
    • Ability to earn college credit during basic training
    • Available student loan repayment

  5. 05 Vacation and travel

    • 30 days of paid vacation, with the freedom to explore local and foreign destinations
    • Reduced lodging costs for hotels on bases across the U.S

  6. 06 Recreation

    • On-base facilities for various sports, arts and crafts, and equipment rentals, which are available for free or at lower rates than similar off-base options
    • Family-friendly social activities and recreational programs
base salary plus

Pay Table

All Airmen are paid equally based on their rank and years of service. You’re also eligible for additional compensation based on your position and where you’re stationed. Refer to the table for salary estimates for each rank within the Air Force.

ENLISTED MONTHLY PAYMENT TABLE 2024

  • E-1 AIRMAN BASIC*

    Payment table
    Years Benefit
    < 2 YEARS

    $2,017.20 *

    *Pay for E-1 Airmen Basic will be slightly lower for the first four months of service.

  • E-2 AIRMAN

    Payment table
    Years Benefit
    < 2 YEARS

    $2,261.10

  • E-3 AIRMAN FIRST CLASS

    Payment table
    Years Benefit
    < 2 YEARS

    $2,377.50

  • E-4 SENIOR AIRMAN

    Payment table
    Years Benefit
    < 2 YEARS

    $2,633.70

  • E-5 STAFF SERGEANT

    Payment table
    Years Benefit
    < 2 YEARS

    $2,872.20

  • E-6 TECHNICAL SERGEANT

    Payment table
    Years Benefit
    < 2 YEARS

    $3,135.60

  • E-7 MASTER SERGEANT

    Payment table
    Years Benefit
    < 2 YEARS

    $3,624.90

ENLISTED MONTHLY PAYMENT TABLE 2024

Payment table
Rank < 2 YEARS 2 YEARS 3 YEARS 4 YEARS 6 YEARS

E-1 AIRMAN BASIC*

$2,017.20 *

$2,017.20

$2,017.20

$2,017.20

$2,017.20

E-2 AIRMAN

$2,261.10

$2,261.10

$2,261.10

$2,261.10

$2,261.10

E-3 AIRMAN FIRST CLASS

$2,377.50

$2,526.90

$2,680.20

$2,680.20

$2,680.20

E-4 SENIOR AIRMAN

$2,633.70

$2,768.40

$2,918.40

$3,066.30

$3,197.40

E-5 STAFF SERGEANT

$2,872.20

$3,065.70

$3,214.20

$3,365.70

$3,601.80

E-6 TECHNICAL SERGEANT

$3,135.60

$3,450.60

$3,603.00

$3,750.90

$3,904.80

E-7 MASTER SERGEANT

$3,624.90

$3,956.40

$4,108.20

$4,308.30

$4,465.50

    *Pay for E-1 Airmen Basic will be slightly lower for the first four months of service.

Potential bonuses

We’re now offering enlistment bonuses all the way up to $50,000 across a wide range of careers.

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