Career Sea Pay Charts, 1950-1981
The pay tables below reflect the sea pay amounts earned during the periods listed for each chart. Sea pay saw little attention or growth over the years reflected in the charts.
Sea pay was taxed unless it was earned in a designated tax-free zone.
The below rates reflect a monthly amount in US dollars which is added to basic military pay.
1981 Navy-Marine Corps Sea Pay Rates
Rates in effect from October 1, 1980 to September 30, 1981. Sea Pay applied to Enlisted personnel E-4 and above with over 4 years of service.
| Cumulative Years of Sea Duty | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 3 | Over 5 | Over 7 | Over 9 | Over 10 | Over 11 | Over 12 |
| 29 | 40 | 52 | 63 | 75 | 86 | 115 |
1979-1980 Navy-Marine Corps Sea Pay Rates
Rates in effect from October 1, 1978 to September 30, 1980. Sea Pay applied to Enlisted personnel E-4 and above with over 4 years of service.
| Cumulative Years of Sea Duty | ||
|---|---|---|
| Over 3 | Over 5 | Over 12 |
| 25 | 35 | 55 |
1959-1978 Navy-Marine Corps Sea Pay Rates
For the years from 1950 to 1978, Sea Pay and Foreign Duty Pay was the same amount. Public Law 87649, Section 305, "Special Pay: sea and foreign duty" is an example of each of the subsequent and following piece of legislation that covers this period when it states, "...under regulations prescribed by the President, an enlisted member of a uniformed service who is entitled to basic pay is also, while on sea duty, or on duty in any place outside the United States, or in Alaska or Hawaii, entitled to special pay at the following rates:"
Rates in effect from June 1, 1958 to September 30, 1978.
| Pay Grade | Amount | Pay Grade | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-9 | 22.50 | E-4 | 13 |
| E-8 | 22.50 | E-3 | 9 |
| E-7 | 22.50 | E-2 | 8 |
| E-6 | 20 | E-1 | 8 |
| E-5 | 16 | ||
1950-1958 Navy-Marine Corps Sea Pay Rates
Rates in effect from October 1, 1949 to May 31, 1958.
| Pay Grade | Amount | Pay Grade | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-7 | 22.50 | E-3 | 9 |
| E-6 | 20 | E-2 | 8 |
| E-5 | 16 | E-1 | 8 |
| E-4 | 13 | ||
Those in the NAVCAD program eligible for sea pay drew $8.00 per month during the period April 1, 1955 to September 30, 1974.
