Air Force Pay Explained in 5 Minutes

Wondering how much money you’ll make in the military? I wanted to make a video that can help answer that question a little that’s as quick and concise as I could. This is strictly just regarding enlisted people brand new to the military with no college credit.
Please let me know if you have any questions! As always this video is not endorsed in any way by the Air Force, and always consult with your recruiter for the most up to date information.

[@pauletteobrien5200]

Wow thank you for sharing. And thank you for serving the military. Thank you for all you do as a military personal. You all are awesome.

[@Danielle-mf8qs]

Couldn’t have explained it any better! Such a good video!

[@zayyb8717]

You explained it so good bruh I have one question for everyone else though who would like to take my hand in marriage?

[@austinwiser1992]

Lmaooo

[@oeovelour7515]

Same thoughts

[@beautiful10381]

Me 🥰

[@heyyou9]

😂

[@theoutdoorguy8740]

I was glad that he touched on BAH is completely different depending on which base you're at. Also BAH and BAS are not considered to be income and are not able to be taxed. That's why according to the IRS he's probably making roughly half of $40,000 maybe a little bit more maybe a little bit less. Also if you decide to live on base in a house you do not get BAH. I believe all of your utilities except for the internet and phone are covered. I had opted not to live on base and I was able to put away more. Again this depends on how much BAH you get relative to the housing cost.

[@Alchemy77]

Appreciate this vid a lot

[@Icygt500]

Wow man amazing video

[@huhhuh4709]

Excellent 👏

[@Phosypha]

Everything I hear about military pay makes me want to get married with one of my friends to split the BAH and BAS I wouldn't be getting if I wasn't married

[@selsahmwishen2981]

I understand that base pay is subjected to taxation.What is your taken-home or net pay after taxation?

[@jordanspookdboxer9801]

How would this pay differ if some goes in as reserve

[@kenyonjhill]

Great video

[@jesss.5484]

They also told him (he went to an agency) and they told him he will get a scholarship (?) that he can use himself or give it to me so I can finish my studies and he said they told him it will be 80k. Is this accurate?

[@dorisvsgjourney3627]

How about separation pay after 30 days?

[@Carlos211296]

Taking ASVAB next week, thanks for the tips!

[@AFJ_]

KarleCrak good luck, glad I was able to help!

[@stacy831]

How did you do? I’m going to take it soon too

[@Carlos211296]

@@stacy831 I did pretty good, make sure you take practice tests online and stay sharp the day of the test!

[@Carlos211296]

@@AFJ_ I am already in, signed contract! Thanks bro

[@AFJ_]

KarleCrak congrats man! What job?

[@mohammadaqib2019]

The best vid

[@sethbrunetti1181]

Good luck sir

[@ronstaff6485]

this video helped a lot

[@trentoncollins3771]

Do you have any tips for transferring to making so little? I make with my wife around 110-120 and she will have to quit her job and what have you until I figure where I will be based. I won't be making very much when I start and I'm really debating all of this because I'm terrified of starting over at 30 but like fuck it I want to do this 😂

[@Matt-jo4nz]

thanks bro

[@brimmyy4810]

okay wait I'm lost. so as an E-1 will I be making 1600 every 2 weeks/every paycheck or 1600 a month

[@plava8815]

ty for this informative video, i had a question on joining because I took many sciencd classes at a community college for nursing(was in the nursing program in fact but decided to leave). if i joined the airforce will the put me in the medical field because of all the classes i have taken? thank you in advance.

[@theoutdoorguy8740]

That's a very good question. But knowing the military you're probably going to have to take all those classes in their program. That's a really good question for a recruiter

[@SynthiaBell]

will I receive bah and bas after training if I have a kid for reserve?

[@remnantvoid.4647]

Would you need a bank account in order to get paid?

[@Me-eb3wv]

In the thumbnail thought it was Sheldon from that tv show

[@tdekillatv8563]

Great vid bro, going to bmt Tuesday any quick tips

[@AFJ_]

TDEKILLA TV sweet, what job? And I’ve got some other videos that might help with some quick tips. Overall though, it’s not bad at all. While you’re there, just remember every time it sucks, you’ve just got another story to tell when you get out haha

[@tdekillatv8563]

Luke Stuller Aerospace Ground Equipment

[@bjohns3018]

TDEKILLA TV how’s it going now? What base are you at, and are you glad you enlisted?

[@taylorbrennan4977]

How would aircrew change my monthly pay?

[@dhoffmann]

Wild that the pay is still soo low. I'd like to join but couldn't pay bills making less than 7200/mo. And that's 0-5 pay at 2yrs, ridiculous opportunity cost to serve your country. Good video. Thanks.

[@RunnersUniteCoaching]

You have 0 living expenses in the military bro lol

[@dhoffmann]

@@RunnersUniteCoaching you might. Live on base. okay. Pay still sucks.

[@cmscms123456]

7200 month in bills.. you need to re-examine your priorities... your spending seems out of control. You will never be out of debt. Dont become a slave to your possessions.

[@dhoffmann]

@@cmscms123456 you have to pay yourself first.

[@danielserrano591]

cash book army pei bank chek buk file statement (bill)

[@steel90912]

In 1982 a E-1 with no wife/husband or kids grossed around $510.00 month. 😟

[@AFJ_]

Adjusted for inflation that’s about $1500 a month now, so it’s not far off from what they’re making now!

[@MarshallLawT6]

What about getting married after the fact? Does BAH & BAS go into effect immediately?

[@AFJ_]

MarshallLawT6 yes it does.

[@darren415]

In other words I will get a check and the military covers my house Bill?

[@jesss.5484]

My husband wants to join the airforce but I am still a but confused on the pay that we will receive. So he does not have a degree to begin with and we are already married. So when he goes to basic training he will only get $1,600 a month??? How much extra does he get because I'm his wife? And after basic training does his pay goes up or he has to be E-4 for a raise?

[@theoutdoorguy8740]

Wherever you are living currently you'll receive BAH. There's a way to look that up online I just don't remember where it's at.

[@Besafe782]

What if you have a college degree?

[@rllyxd8433]

Probably a really broad question but how much would my pay/ what would my rank be with 60 college credits? (2 years down)

[@AFJ_]

Darius D You should be able to come in as an E-3. Last I checked, it was 45 credits minimum to come in as an E-3. That pay is currently $1,931 a month before taxes.

[@rllyxd8433]

Luke Stuller gotcha, thanks man! You’ve helped me a lot with my decision to join

[@AFJ_]

Darius D thanks man! You in the DEP or still thinking about joining?

[@rllyxd8433]

Luke Stuller I’ve been in contact with my recruiter, only things I have left to do are asvab/meps.

[@Pynrblx]

@@rllyxd8433 damn man 3 years later.. how’s the Air Force doing for ya man?

[@xWE4PONS]

Im stuck in between Army and AirForce anyone have suggestions? Right now ive been talking with the army and their awesome ppl but there isnt a lot of MOS rn that im interested in.

[@AFJ_]

Do you have an insta or something I can message you on?

[@josephgnegron6841]

What if I want to buy a house to rent it so I could have another monthly income does the BHA pay for the house or do I have to pay it ?

[@theoutdoorguy8740]

BAH is going to pay for whatever house you're actually living in. It's not going to pay for two properties if you're living in one and one to rent out the other. If you're going to stay in the house that you're going to rent and bring in roommates that's different

[@bridgetbatiste8690]

Chicken is always dry but smothered with gravy

[@1280haha]

5 minutes on the dot. Impressive.

[@abrilhernandez8966]

Do you get BAH and BAS after bootcamp or after your certification?

[@AFJ_]

If you’re married when you enlist, you’ll get paid BAH while you’re in BMT. As for BAS, I can’t remember but I’ll find out for you!

[@abrilhernandez8966]

I’m very grateful. This is a confusing process.

[@taziologlisi6751]

22 an hour

[@user-ky8ve1qh4d]

What if you’re not married and have dependents? Do you get BAH during training

[@jesusmiamado1566]

That’s what I want to know too. Cuz I’m divorced but I have 2 kids

[@josefranco6059]

Do you get BAH or BAS in the reserves?

[@jordanespinoza7738]

Yes

[@SleepParalysisDemon920]

I'm still confused on something, are you payed $1,700 twice per month? I can't seem to find a clear answer, but you said you get roughly $40,000 a year so I assume that means it's twice a month?

[@AFJ_]

Yes, that’s twice a month

[@newjeans8285]

@@AFJ_ so basically that's $3400 total in a month?

[@AFJ_]

Yep! So right now as an E-5 with dependants, with five years in and BAH, BAS and base pay included, I make about $4200 a month after taxes

[@familiacruzramos9403]

I have Bachelors degree so is an E3? Can a E3 with his pay, sustain a family? Wife and daughter? School for kids are free?

[@AFJ_]

Pro Music yes, you’d be an E-3. You can sustain a family, you’d just have to budget. It really comes down to how many bills you have beforehand as well. For example, if you’re already paying $2000 in credit card and car debt a month, it would be really difficult to sustain a family.

[@familiacruzramos9403]

@@AFJ_ thank you.

[@andynguyen5003]

If you have a bachelors degree you can join in as an officer which you will outrank all enlistees and make more than all enlistees

[@familiacruzramos9403]

@@andynguyen5003 but a think is harder in Air force than in the army. The air force looks for bachellors degree that has like very high demand. My bachelors is virtual arts (Photography) so I think is hard for me in the Air force as an officer

[@cmscms123456]

Your 1 or 2 or 4 years of college does not get you extra pay. Flight jobs get extra pay, deployed to a war zone, extra pay. Some isolated tours, PCS sometimes extra pay.

[@AFJ_]

I mentioned it because having enough credit let’s you come in at a higher rank, which translates to more pay.

[@kentraps1286]

Great video mam. Does my wife and my kid can come withme when I go to bmt?

[@kentraps1286]

*man

[@AFJ_]

Unfortunately no, they cannot.

[@jito962]

Can you pocket the extra bah money after rent?

[@AFJ_]

Yes, you keep the difference

[@ShawntiaKnott]

The people who dislikes this cannot join the AirForce. And they are jealous

[@halfdecentmom]

Forgot to mention if you are single with a child you still get BAH, BAS, and dont live on base...also BAS is not based on career field

[@AFJ_]

Maggie R yeah I gotcha, the only reason I said that is because the single airmen in our career field get BAS, but some of my friends in others don’t. Thanks for the info on being single with kids!

[@halfdecentmom]

Luke Stuller no worries lol the BAS is more based on ability to have consistent access to the dfac and sometimes due to either construction or work schedules a waiver can be put in to allow people living in the dorms to have BAS so they can eat. see you at work!

[@whopennybritty9241]

Is the bah broken down into 2 pay periods per month? Or do you get the full amount on the 1st check?

[@AFJ_]

It’s split in half along with your base pay. You can elect to receive your entire paycheck once a month though. That’s something you set up with finance

[@mynameisjeff4231]

What about if i have rent still ?? Can they pay that

[@AFJ_]

my name is jeff yes, you’d use your BAH however you want, as long as you can make your payments and live somewhere

[@mynameisjeff4231]

@@AFJ_ but im single?? Does that still count? Or must i be required to be in a relationship

[@fishingwithjt1666]

I’m going to 2 years of community college before I go to the Air Force and then doing my second 2 years while I’m there. Will that up my rank or my pay?

[@andrewe360]

I regret not joining sooner. Don't waste your time. Go to collegeboard.clep and knock em out. Get a part time job. Study afqt hard.

[@andrewe360]

Research enlistment bonuses.

[@trahviztv7117]

Currently on my last semester of community college went to meps have to get a consult for my eye and get it cleared, same plan man

[@giovannicastiglione3023]

Could you explain payment for someone coming in as an officer? Someone coming in with a bachelors degree. Thank you.

[@FELiPES101]

You can google the pay charts for each component online

[@darrylhaynes]

Back in 1974 E1 made $326 a month that's all not every two weeks a month

[@AFJ_]

darrylhaynes that’s crazy! I guess it makes sense though. This year an E-1 out of tech school makes $1681 a month. $326 adjusted for inflation today is $1696. So it’s not too far off. Thanks for your comment!

[@philipmccabe3028]

Does the pay include tax or no tax?

[@AFJ_]

That’s after taxes have been taken out

[@pradaflipflops2387]

Is this a month or every two weeks?

[@AFJ_]

Every month

[@pradaflipflops2387]

@@AFJ_ how does someone live off of that who is married with two car payments, insurance, cellphone bills, let's just say a kid, save a little extra on the side and have money to do something fun on the weekend's. Even with food allowance and housing allowance thats still really bad. I'm freaking out because this is about to be me (minus the kid) in about 5 months if everything goes according to plan

[@AFJ_]

So I should have clarified and asked you which part you’re asking about in regards to whether or not it’s monthly or twice a week. As I explain in the video, as a newer airman I was making about $3200 a month ($1600 a paycheck). I had two car payments, a loan I had taken out for my pilots license, my wife and I were both in school, cell phone bills, too many credit card bills, and rent/utilities. It required a bit of a lifestyle change and always re-evaluating finances, but we survived. The nice thing with the military is how much you don’t pay for, like doctors visits. I know it probably seems daunting, but as long as you budget, it’s possible. Dave Ramsey has also been a huge help for us, and I strongly encourage checking him out! Hopefully that helps ease your stress a little 🙂

[@steelkreel7347]

@@AFJ_ thanks for clarifying that it’s $1,600 a paycheck, not $1,600 a month. And that’s before taxes right?

[@AFJ_]

That was after taxes for me. Right now, after taxes with four years in as an E-5, I make about $2100 every two weeks

[@D40_]

how much would the pay be with bachelors degree?

[@darin3573]

u could enlist as a officer if you have a degree

[@user1313131]

If you have 3.0 gpa, I think 2.5 is the absolute lowest.

[@mr11456]

This is ass bro I’m not gonna lie to be possibly dying 🤣🤣

[@Wiser1FOREVER]

E-1 Airman Basic Air Force now starts at $1833 per month. It goes up from there. E-2 breaks $2000 & E-3 jumps to over $2500! They paid us peanuts back when I went into the Air Force in the early 80s. E-1 paid $551 to start & by 1991 I barely made over $1100 gross per month at E-4. Today a single adult gets a starting salary that's an actual living wage which is literally more than 3 times what I started with! Someone who stays single for 10 years & get out to pursue something else could actually have saved a noticeable amount of money by then. I was forced out because I couldn't get promoted. I was at the E-4 pay grade which NOW pays almost 3 times at the lowest amount of $28,721 to the highest at $34,866!

[@AFJ_]

Those amounts, adjusted for inflation are about the same as today’s pay. I explained this in a previous comment, if you look at pay throughout the years it’s proportionally similar, once you run an inflation calculator on the numbers

[@Wiser1FOREVER]

@@AFJ_ What I know is that I was essentially forced out after 10 years & in the 90s rent here in California where I live practically doubled. I received no real help from the veterans Representative at the unemployment office in getting a job & I was married with 2 kids at the time! Raw numbers never tell the whole story. As a single person when I 1st went into the Air Force it was impossible to rent my own place or even a room off base because my wages would never allow for it & short of getting married, I couldn't choose to live off base! At that point in time, I didn't even have a car or a driver's license for that matter! Even at my highest rank I would have been hard pressed to afford my own place off base at that point in time because the housing allowance was significantly lower. I already looked at pay scales from my time in the service & compared to what I see for the Air Force starting this year! It's NOT proportionated throughout the years.

[@NicoleBermz]

Im about to enlist. What are some recommendations on not being "forced out"? I desire to complete at least 12 but i read you got forced out at your 10 yr mark!

[@Wiser1FOREVER]

I did state why....lack of a promotion. Never tested high enough combined with biased performance reports.

[@NicoleBermz]

@@Wiser1FOREVER ok thx

[@nik5282]

Do you move out of the dorms if you’re single with a child?

[@AFJ_]

Yes you do.

[@bikelifejay6758]

what if i'm not married, i just in a serious relationship? does that still apply for BAH and BAS

[@AFJ_]

Unfortunately no, gotta be legally married for it to be recognized.

[@miguelraileymendoza7409]

you look like forrest gump...

[@sethbrunetti1181]

The end of the 911 war ended with bodies getting pushed in water pandemic

[@kijohnson146]

What about having a baby would you get BAH

[@AFJ_]

Yes, generally if you have full custody of the child, you’ll receive the BAH “with dependents” rate