1870 U.S. Navy Officer Pay Charts
On July 15, 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant approved, "An act making appropriations for the naval service, for the year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and seventy-one, and for other purposes." The law provided for the first post Civil War pay raises for the officers of the United States Navy.
Effective June 13, 1870.
The pay rates are monthly, US dollar.
1870 Navy Officer Pay Charts
| When on Duty at Sea note 1 |
Monthly Pay |
|---|---|
| First three years | $100.00 |
| Second three years | $108.33 |
| Third three years | $116.67 |
| Forth three years | $133.33 |
| Twelve years and greater | $150.00 |
| When on Shore Duty | Monthly Pay |
| First three years | $75.00 |
| Second three years | $83.33 |
| Third three years | $108.33 |
| Forth three years | $108.33 |
| Twelve years and greater | $133.33 |
| When on Leave or Waiting Orders | Monthly Pay |
| First three years | $58.33 |
| Second three years | $66.67 |
| Third three years | $75.00 |
| Forth three years | $83.33 |
| Twelve years and greater | $100.00 |
NOTE 1: Time frames are from the actual date of rank, and not time in service.
| Admiral note 2 |
Monthly Pay | |
|---|---|---|
| While serving | $1083.33 | |
| Vice-Admiral note 3 |
Monthly Pay | |
| When at sea | $750.00 | |
| When on shore duty | $666.67 | |
| When on leave or waiting orders | $500.00 | |
| Rear-Admiral | Monthly Pay | |
| When at sea | $500.00 | |
| When on shore duty | $416.67 | |
| When on leave or waiting orders | $333.33 | |
| Commodore | Monthly Pay | |
| When at sea | $416.67 | |
| When on shore duty | $333.33 | |
| When on leave or waiting orders | $250.00 | |
| Captain | Monthly Pay | |
| When at sea | $375.00 | |
| When on shore duty | $291.67 | |
| When on leave or waiting orders | $233.33 | |
| Commander | Monthly Pay | |
| When at sea | $291.67 | |
| When on shore duty | $250.00 | |
| When on leave or waiting orders | $191.67 | |
| Lieutenant-Commander | From Date of Rank | |
| Under 4 | Over 4 | |
| Sea Duty | $233.33 | $250.00 |
| Shore Duty | $200.00 | $216.67 |
| On Leave or Waiting Orders | $166.67 | $183.33 |
| Lieutenant | From Date of Rank | |
| Under 5 | Over 5 | |
| Sea Duty | $200.00 | $216.67 |
| Shore Duty | $166.67 | $183.33 |
| On Leave or Waiting Orders | $133.33 | $150.00 |
| Master | From Date of Rank | |
| Under 5 | Over 5 | |
| Sea Duty | $150.00 | $166.67 |
| Shore Duty | $125.00 | $141.67 |
| On Leave or Waiting Orders | $100.00 | $116.67 |
| Ensign | From Date of Rank | |
| Under 5 | Over 5 | |
| Sea Duty | $100.00 | $116.67 |
| Shore Duty | $83.33 | $100.00 |
| On Leave or Waiting Orders | $66.67 | $83.33 |
NOTE 2: The rank of Admiral was established for the United States Navy on July 25, 1866 with the passage of, "An act to define the Number and regulate the Appointment of Officers to the Navy, and for other Purposes." The original starting annual pay for the Admiral was $10,000.
NOTE 3: The rank of Vice-Admiral was established for the United States Navy on December 21, 1864 with the passage of, "An act to establish the grade of vice-admiral in the United States navy." The original annual pay for the Vice-Admiral was $7,000 when at sea, $6,000 when on shore duty, and $5,000 when waiting orders.
Effective June 13, 1870.
