If you’ve looked at the military pay charts online, you might be shocked at how low Army private pay looks on paper. New soldiers often think: “How am I supposed to survive on that?”
Here’s the truth: while the base pay number may seem small, Army benefits, allowances, and housing make a huge difference. Let’s break down exactly what you can expect to earn as a brand-new private (E1 or E2) in the U.S. Army.
Base Pay for New Privates (E1 & E2)
According to the 2025 pay chart:
- E1 (less than 2 years): $2,319 per month
- E2 (less than 2 years): $2,599.20 per month
Soldiers are paid twice a month (on the 1st and the 15th). For an E2, that equals about $1,299 per paycheck before taxes.
Most new soldiers promote from E1 to E2 within six months, so E2 is the best example to focus on.
Taxes and Deductions
Even though you’re in the Army, you still pay:
- Federal income tax
- Social Security
- Medicare
- State income tax (based on your home of record, not where you’re stationed)
➡️ Example: A Colorado resident pays state income tax, but a Nevada resident does not (Nevada has no state income tax).
After taxes, an E2 in Colorado takes home about:
👉 $1,155 per paycheck ($2,310 per month).
Single Soldiers: What’s Covered
If you’re single, that $1,155 is your paycheck. But don’t forget:
- No rent (you live in the barracks).
- No utility bills.
- Meals provided at the chow hall.
So while your paycheck may seem smaller than a civilian job, your big living expenses are already covered.
Married Soldiers: Extra Pay Through Allowances
Marriage changes the math. Married soldiers receive two key allowances:
- BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) – varies by duty station. Example: At Fort Carson, Colorado, an E2 gets $2,160 per month.
- BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) – flat food allowance for the soldier (not the family), set at $465.77 per month in 2025.
Best of all: BAH and BAS are not taxed.
So, using the Colorado example:
- Base pay after taxes: $1,155 per paycheck
- Add BAH: +$1,080
- Add BAS: +$232.88
👉 Total for a married E2: $2,367 per paycheck ($4,734 per month).
Army Pay vs Civilian Jobs
When you include housing and food allowances, Army private pay often matches or beats civilian entry-level jobs like Walmart or Amazon.
In fact, as a married E2, you can make more than some civilian professionals with degrees or security clearances.
A Word of Caution on Marriage
Yes, being married increases Army pay significantly. But don’t rush into marriage just for the money. Many soldiers do, and it’s a major reason divorce rates are high in the military.
Make the choice for the right reasons, not just for the paycheck.
Final Takeaways
- Single privates take home about $1,155 per paycheck, with housing and meals covered.
- Married privates can take home around $2,367 per paycheck (in Colorado), thanks to untaxed allowances.
- Army private pay may look small at first glance, but when you factor in benefits, it’s often very competitive with civilian jobs.
✅ Key takeaway: Don’t judge Army pay by the base chart alone. Once you factor in allowances and benefits, new soldiers often earn more than they expect.
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