Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 4/1/2009

Question
What kind of salary range I can expect in the army as a fresh high school graduate?

Answer
Stefan:
http://www.dfas.mil/militarypay/militarypaytables/2009MilitaryPayTables.doc

That link will send you to a pay table that will show you your salary.  It is subject to some conditions, though, that I will detail next. First, most people joining the Army would enlist as a grade E-1, but some things, such as Eagle Scout or college credits, will allow them to enter into the service at a higher rank.  If you join as an E-1 your pay, according to the table, for the first 4 months would be $1294.50 per month less federal, state, and FICA taxes.  Once you achieve 4 months in service your pay would rise to $1399.50.  You would then gain a raise based on time, or promotions, or both.  Usually an E-1 makes E-2 in 6 months. That means you'll be given another raise to $1568.70.  That is the taxable part of your pay.  Other parts of your pay that you may or may not get, depending on job, location, and married/kids status, would include:
Housing allowance: Normally junior Soldiers stay in the barracks unless they are married or have children, but if you do receive housing allowance the money (based on rank, location, and dependants) is tax free.
Basic Allowance for Substinance (Food allowance): Again, normally junior Soldiers would be given a card that allows them to eat in the dining hall on base (this is particularly true during basic and follow on training) but afterwards if you work shiftwork or are on a base that doesnt have a mess hall, you would be given $323.87 per month for food (tax free).
Clothing Allowance: Each year, on the anniversary of your enlistment, you will be given an allowance to buy new uniforms and such.  This allowance varies based on time in service, grade, and your job (tax free).  
Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): If you are posted to an overseas duty location (most likely would be Germany) you will get an allowance to offset the cost of living in a foreign country. Again, this is based on rank, time in service, location, living on or off base, and dependants (wife/kids). It is also tax free.
All of this is for while you are in a peacetime setting because if you should deploy to a combat zone your pay is not subject to federal tax witholding and you pay basically only what your state would charge you and FICA (social security and medicare tax) and you would also get approximately $350.00 extra per month in your check.
The biggest thing that I would also add is that all of you (and your family's should you have one) medical expenses are taken care of by the Army.  There is no cost for this, but the savings on not having to pay for medical insurance are substantial.  

I know that was overly technical, but I hope you understood it and if you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. Hope this helps.