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Military Pay Chart 1942-1946

1942-1946 U.S. Military Base Pay Charts

On June 16, 1942, Public Law 77-607, the "Pay Readjustment Act of 1942", was signed into law by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The law instituted the method of computing longevity pay for enlisted personnel the same as that for commissioned officers, that is, 5 percent of base pay for each three years of service, up to a maximum of 30 years.

1941 Pay | 1947 Pay | Pay Raises

Covering the majority of World War II, the United States military officer and enlisted base pay scales, effective June 1, 1942 through June 30, 1946, for Sailors, Soldiers, and Marines of the active components of the Navy, Marines Corps, Army, and Coast Guard.

The pay rates are monthly, US dollar.

1942-1946 Enlisted Base Military Pay Chart

Enlisted pay for less than 3 to over 9 years of service.
Grade

note 1

Years of Service
Less than 3 Over 3 Over 6 Over 9
1st

note 2

138.00 144.90 151.80 158.70
2nd 114.00 119.70 131.10 131.10
3rd 96.00 100.80 105.60 110.40
4th 78.00 81.90 85.80 89.70
5th 66.00 69.30 72.60 75.90
6th 54.00 56.70 59.40 62.10
7th 50.00 52.50 55.00 57.50
Enlisted pay chart for 12 to over 21 years of service.
GradeYears of Service
Over 12 Over 15 Over 18 Over 21
1st 165.60 172.50 179.40 186.30
2nd 136.80 142.50 148.20 153.90
3rd 115.20 120.00 124.80 129.60
4th 93.60 97.50 101.40 105.30
5th 79.20 82.50 85.80 89.10
6th 64.80 67.50 72.20 72.90
7th 60.00 62.50 65.00 67.50
Enlisted pay chart for 24 to over 30 years of service.
GradeYears of Service
Over 24 Over 27 Over 30
1st 193.20 200.10 207.00
2nd 159.60 165.30 171.00
3rd 134.40 139.20 144.00
4th 109.20 113.10 117.00
5th 92.40 95.70 99.00
6th 75.60 78.30 81.00
7th 70.00 72.50 75.00

Note 1: The "E" and "O" pay grades did not come until the approval of the Career Compensation Act of 1949; however, for comparison purposes, the 1st Grade, is the same as today's E-7; 7th Grade is the same as E-1.

Note 2: Chief petty officers under acting appointment shall be included in the first grade at a monthly base pay of $126.

1942-1946 Military Officer Base Pay Chart

Officer pay chart for under 3 years to over 9 years of service.
Period

note 2

Years of Service
Under 3 Over 3 Over 6 Over 9
8th 666.67 666.67 666.67 666.67
7th 500.00 500.00 500.00 500.00
6th 333.33 350.00 366.67 383.33
5th 291.67 306.25 320.83 335.42
4th 250.00 262.50 275.00 287.50
3rd 200.00 210.00 220.00 230.00
2nd 166.67 175.00 183.33 230.00
1st 150.00 157.50 183.33 191.67
Officer pay chart for 12 years to 21 years of service.
Period

note 2

Years of Service
Over 12 Over 15 Over 18 Over 21
8th 666.67 666.67 666.67 666.67
7th 500.00 500.00 500.00 500.00
6th 400.00 416.67 433.33 450.00
5th 350.00 364.58 379.17 393.75
4th 300.00 312.50 325.00 337.50
3rd 240.00 312.50 325.00 337.50
2nd 240.00 250.00 260.00 270.00
1st 200.00 208.33 216.67 225.00
Officer pay chart for 24 years to 30 years of service.
Period

note 2

Years of Service
Over 24Over 27Over 30
8th 666.67 666.67666.67
7th 500.00 500.00500.00
6th 450.00483.33 500.00
5th 408.33422.92 500.00
4th 408.33422.92 437.50
3rd 350.00362.50 375.00
2nd 280.00290.00 300.00
1st 233.33241.67 250.00

Note 2:

The pay of the sixth period shall be paid to colonels of the Army, captains of the Navy, and officers of corresponding grade; to lieutenant colonels of the Army, commanders of the Navy, and officers of corresponding grade, and lieutenant commanders of the line and Engineer Corps of the Coast Guard, who have completed thirty years' service; and to the Chief of Chaplains of the Army when not holding rank above that of colonel.

The pay of the fifth period shall be paid to lieutenant colonels of the Army, commanders of the Navy, and officers of corresponding grade who are not entitled to the pay of the sixth period; and to majors of the Army, lieutenant commanders of the Navy, and officers of corresponding grade, who have completed twenty-three years' service.

The pay of the fourth period shall be paid to majors of the Army, lieutenant commanders of the Navy, and officers of corresponding grade who are not entitled to the pay of the fifth period; to captains of the Army, lieutenants of the Navy, and officers of corresponding grade, who have completed seventeen years' service.

The pay of the third period shall be paid to captains of the Army, lieutenants of the Navy, and officers of corresponding grade who are not entitled to the pay of the fourth period; to first lieutenants of the Army, lieutenants (junior grade) of the Navy, and officers of corresponding grade, who have completed ten years' service.

The pay of the second period shall be paid to first lieutenants of the Army, lieutenants (junior grade) of the Navy, and officers of corresponding grade who are not entitled to the pay of the third period; and to second lieutenants of the Army, ensigns of the Navy, and officers of corresponding grade, who have completed five years' service; and to contract surgeons serving full time.

The pay of the first period shall be paid to all other officers.

For Warrant Officer pay, refer to Section 8 of Public Law 77-607.

Effective June 1, 1942 through June 30, 1946.

1942-1946 military base pay chart for active officer and enlisted personnel of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

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