Pay
How much you get paid as a soldier in the Army is determined not just by your rank and how long you have served, but also by the band of pay your job commands. Lower band pay encompasses most employments at Private soldier level, but many roles are graded higher, in particular, at ranks where the level of skill, the complexity of the job and its responsibility warrant it. Some examples of higher pay band employments are: Combat Engineer, Chef, Mechanics and Registered General Nurse. The lower band rates of pay for soldiers are shown below.
In some circumstances commitment bonuses may be available to certain people after four years. This could be up to a maximum of £15,000, depending on your cap badge.
Lower band pay (as of April 2010)
| Rank |
From |
Rising To |
| New Entrant |
£13,377.24 |
| Private |
£17,014.00 |
£26,404.00 |
| Lance Corporal |
£20,581.00 |
£28,939.00 |
| Corporal |
£26,404.00 |
£33,182.00 |
| Sergeant |
£30,012.00 |
£36,929.00 |
| Staff Sergeant |
£33,223.00 |
£42,043.00 |
| Warrant Officer Class 2 |
£36,048.00 |
£43,251.00 |
| Warrant Officer Class 1 |
£38,599.00 |
£46,753.00 |
Pension
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 Armys Retirement age of 55, you receive this lump sum and your pension when you retire.
Allowances
As a single or married soldier there are many allowances you may be entitled to. These will vary depending on your personal circumstances but are designed to offset any costs that you may incur while serving in the Army and compensate you for the fast yet enjoyable pace of Army life.
For example, you may be able to receive assistance with the cost of travelling to and from work and, in the first three years of service, assistance to maintain close links with your family and friends.
And, in the event you are posted or deployed in training exercises or operations overseas, you may receive an Overseas Allowance which contributes to the additional local cost of living abroad. Also, you may be entitled to an Operational Allowance in recognition of the danger and enduring nature of some operations that you may be deployed on.