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Tough Questions

  • Do females get the same pay?

    Absolutely. Our employees are paid according to their rank and trade qualifications. Thousands of females play a vital role throughout the Army. Gender is not an issue.

     
  • Do soldiers living overseas get paid more?

    Your basic pay depends on rank and trade qualifications and remains the same if you're serving overseas. However, due to the difference in the cost of living in some countries you may get an extra allowance to offset extra costs.

     
  • How much will I get paid first-up as a soldier?

    All recruits start on the same wage regardless of their age. So based on a 30-day month, as a recruit you can expect approximately £780 paid into your bank account. This is after tax, National Insurance, food and accommodation charges have been stopped from your pay.

     
  • When do I get my pension?

    After two years service, you are eligible for a preserved pension, which you will receive when you reach 60. After 12 years service, you receive a preserved pension and a cash grant. From 22 years service and upward, you get immediate pension, resettlement grant and generous gratuity.

     
  • When are the officer intakes into Sandhurst?

    Officer intakes into the Royal Military College of Sandhurst are in January, May and September.

     
Army Jobs HomeBenefitsPay, Pensions & AllowancesRegular Officer

Regular Officer 

Pay
How much you get paid as an officer in the Army is determined by your rank and how long you have served. The annual pay for officers is shown below.

Annual Pay (as of April 2010)
Rank From Rising To
Non Graduate Officer Cadet £15,268
Graduate Officer Cadet / Second Lieutenant £24,615
Lieutenant £24,615 £32,702
Captain £37,915 £45,091
Major £47,760 £57,199
Lieutenant Colonel £67,030 £77,617
Colonel £81,310 £89,408
Brigadier £97,030 £100,963

Pensions
All regular soldiers who receive full-time pay are members of the non-contributory Armed Forces Pension Scheme. After 18 years service and reaching the age of 40, you are eligible for Early Departure Payments and tax-free lump sums. If you leave before this time and, provided you have served a minimum of two years, you will receive a preserved pension and tax-free lump sum at the age of 65. If you serve up to the National Army Retirement age of 55, you receive this lump sum and your pension when you retire.

Allowances
As for soldier, due to the cost of uniform, you may receive some provision and grants to help equip you for your duties. This is over and above the issued uniforms.