Pick your rank on the Armed Forces pay scales to see your gross military salary and what you take home after Income Tax and National Insurance. The Armed Forces Pension Scheme is non-contributory, so nothing is deducted for your pension.
Regular forces · 2026/27
Pay for the Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy follows a single set of Armed Forces pay scales recommended by the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body (AFPRB). Your salary depends on your rank and your pay level within it, which rises with time served. Most personnel are on the standard "Pay Spine"; some specialists (pilots, medics, engineers) are on a higher "Pay Spine 2". Scales already include the X-Factor — an uplift reflecting the unique demands of service life.
| Rank | Approx. gross 2026/27 |
|---|---|
| Private (new entry) | £25,200 |
| Private (trained, top) | £32,000 |
| Corporal | £38,000–£43,000 |
| Sergeant | £44,000–£49,000 |
| Captain | £50,000–£58,000 |
| Major | £62,000–£72,000 |
On top of basic pay you may receive allowances such as Longer Separation Allowance, recruitment and retention pay, and operational allowances when deployed, some of which are tax-free. Subsidised accommodation and food are deducted at source. Compare your military pay with a civilian role using the salary calculator or check how a future civilian salary is taxed on the income tax calculator.
A new-entry private earns roughly £25,200, rising to around £32,000 once trained and at the top of the pay range. Corporals, sergeants and officers earn progressively more, plus any allowances and operational pay.
No. The Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015 is non-contributory, so nothing is deducted from your pay for it. You still build a generous career-average defined-benefit pension, which makes military take-home higher than an equivalent contributory civilian role.
Yes — basic pay is subject to Income Tax and National Insurance like any salary. Some operational allowances and the Operational Allowance when deployed can be tax-free, but standard pay is taxed normally.
The X-Factor is an uplift built into the pay scales (currently around 14.5% for most ranks) that compensates for the unique conditions of service life — danger, separation and limited rights compared with civilian jobs. It is already included in the published salary figures.
