Expert: Rod Powers - 12/14/2006

Question
I'm assembling information about starting pay in marine-related careers, and I wanted to include naval officer. I've got base pay at $28,994 per year, but I'm not sure that's appropriate, since there's sea pay, and I'm not sure if naval officers are Ensigns once they leave the academy or before. What would be the equivalent of an entry-level salary for a US naval officer after education was completed?

Answer
Hi Steve,

Not everyone receives "sea pay." In order to receive sea pay, you must be (1) stationed on a ship (not everyone in the Navy is stationed on a ship -- there are plenty who are assigned to shore duty, at any given point in time), and (2) the primary mission of that ship has to be a mission which is accomplished underway (ie, not a ship that goes out every day, patrols, then comes home). For details, and rates, see my article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/fy2006paycharts/a/seapay.htm

Navy officers are not always assigned to ships. Probably only during 1/2 or so of their career (maybe a little more), so one cannot count on getting "sea pay." It depends on the assignment.

However, almost all commissioned officers are authorized to reside off base at government expense (and receive a housing allowance), and are authorized to receive a monthly food allowance. Housing allowances and food allowances are tax-free, which means there is a tax advantage to this extra income.

2006 Food allowance rates can be seen at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/fy2006paycharts/a/06bas.htm and 2006 Housing allowance rates can be seen at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/militarypaycharts/a/06bah.htm Housing allowance depends on several factors, including rank, location of assignment, and whether or not the military member has dependents (spouse/kids). I have the average annual salaries for 2006 on my site at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/fy2006paycharts/a/salary.htm The charts here include base pay, *average* housing allowance, food allowance, and the value of the tax-advantage (because housing allowance and food allowance are non-taxable).

I'll have the 2007 annual charts on my site, probably within the first two weeks of January, as soon as DFAS (Defense Finance & Accounting Service) releases them.

There are other factors to take into consideration. For example, if the officer is assigned to a submarine, he will receive not only sea pay, but submarine duty pay, as well (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/fy2006paycharts/a/subpay.htm).

If the officer is assigned to flight duties, he/she will receive flight pay (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/fy2006paycharts/a/flightpay.htm).

If the officer is assigned to a combat zone, or is on a ship which sails into a combat zone, the officer will receive combat pay for that entire month (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/fy2005paycharts/a/combatpay.htm).

If the officer is married or has kids, he/she will receive family separation allowance for any period he/she is separated from his/her dependents for 30 days or more (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/fy2005paycharts/a/fsa.htm).

Navy Academy cadets are not Ensigns. They are Cadets, until they graduate and are awarded their commissions. While Cadets, they are paid at the rate of enlisted E-5s (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/2007paycharts/a/2007basicpay.htm).

While Cadets, they receive only E-5 base pay (none of the extras). That's because their housing and food is given to them for free (and -- of course, Academy students are not allowed to have dependents).

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my Military information website at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com