Which Military Branch Has the Best Pay and Benefits?

The world is changing rapidly, nowhere more clearly than in terms of working for the military. Once considered a poor paying career, in recent years such a narrative has shifted dramatically.

This trend of increased pay and benefits rings especially true for many branches of the military around the world. Yes, there are some entries into this list from the American military, but the top ten features unexpected branches from all over the globe, from powerful and prestigious to smaller and unexpected.

If you are a veteran, actively serving or you are a recruit, do you think your branch of service made the cut? If you have an unending interest in joining the military but want to get paid what you’re worth, here are the world’s 10 highest paid military branches.

What Military Branch Pays the Most?

The Australian Defense Force is the military branch that pays the most. it offers a base pay of approximately $30,000 US dollars.

This highest paying military branch pays the best. It offers allowances and benefits (including housing and uniforms allowances) that make the end resulting pay nearly double that figure for entry-level recruits.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is the military organization responsible for the defense of the Commonwealth of Australia and its national interests.

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and several “tri-service” un are all part of the ADF.

What Military Branch Pays the Most Starting Salary?

Salary across the US military is paid according to rank. US Military branch pays the most starting salary as an enlisted service member in their first six months earn about $20, 000 per year.

The US military officer pay is much higher as newly commissioned officers earn over $38, 000 annually. The figures here are base-pay. A military officer in the US branch also enjoys allowances for housing, food, uniforms, and job-specific bonuses.

What is the Best Military Branch?

The best military branch across the globe is the U.S Marine Corps. With a 4.2 star rating, the Marine corps is the top-rated military service branch based on career reviews on Glassdoor.

Basically, the US Army offers the exact same federal benefits as all other branches. Military service members pride themselves in being soldiers in the best military branch in the world.

Related Article: Highest Paid Military in the World | Best 10 Countries

10 Highest Paid Military Branch in 2022

10) Royal Air Force (UK)

One of the most historically prestigious branches of military service in the world also pays to match the reputation.

The qualifications for joining do not come easy, but if you can hack the standard, you can find yourself getting around 28,000$ in the US in base pay as a recruit and not have to find yourself amid the dangers found at the front lines.

You would also have the distinct honor of being among the decorated history of the RAF both within England and internationally.

This is the least Highest Paid Military Branch on this list.

Read: 10 Highest Paid Nannies In The USA | Best Countries In 2022

9)  Japanese Self-Defense Forces-

While the base pay is not at the top of the list, your number one draw is the lump sum payment that comes upon retirement from the Japanese Self-Defense Forces.

Yes, you would be taxed on the payment, but after years of service, who would not want a chunk of change that often comes in at more than $100,000 US?

If you want a bit of a retirement parachute from your years of hard work- then you should already be looking at what you can do to join the JSDF.

8) United States Marine Corp-

Yes, the base pay if you join the USMC is the same as in other US military branches. But the difference comes in with the risks and opportunities for payment (and advancement) that you will have access to once you pass the grueling basic training for new recruits.

Possible additional pay comes in from deployment, parachute jumps, and repeated tours of duty.

The branch also offers very generous benefits including housing allowances and 30 days of PTO.

This is another Highest-Paid Military Branch in the world.

7) German Army-

If you join the German army, you are probably looking towards the benefits that come along with it. Yes, the base pay is decent, but the massive infrastructure and social programs are the true draws.

Among the best aspects of the German Army’s pay and benefits program is its generous pension program that comes along with being a citizen of Germany and ensures a safe and dignified retirement.

6) French Foreign Legion-

If you seek a bit of a more international experience while getting paid properly for your efforts, then the French Foreign Legion is a fit for you.

While initial base pay might be relatively low, the appeal jumps massively when you consider the huge pay bumps if you serve on an overseas deployment with the French Foreign Legion (upwards of $4,000 US a month).

If seeing the world is in the cards for your career, then this is the branch to join and pad your wallet.

They are among the highest-paid military branch.

5) United States Air Force-

While the initial base-pay, if you join the USAF, it is identical across every United States branch. The pay is around $20,000 per year.

This relatively low pay is made up for by a myriad of benefits, including housing allowances, educational grants, and deployment pay.

This rings true for every branch of the US military, but the specialized nature of the USAF allows for the most extensive room for growth in terms of compensation.

Put on top of this that you can retire in 20 years and this is definitely a route to go that will keep you further out of harm’s way than in other branches.

It is among the highest paid military branch.

4) Royal New Zealand Air Force-

If you can manage to get past the strict standards, then this might be one of the ‘cushiest’ military gigs you can land anywhere in the world.

The base pay range is quite high, around $34,000 US a year, and does offer benefits including childcare, paid leave, and educational grants.

Additionally, you get to spend your career zipping around the scenic vistas of New Zealand. So, if you can manage it, fly into a role in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

3) British Army-

The British Army has one of the most established and comprehensive systems of compensation and benefits that one can join into.

Base pay for a recruit into the army is around $28,000 USD per year. But also includes a myriad of benefits including pay for hazardous conditions and a progressive pay scale.

This is only possible if you can hack the stringent requirements needed to advance through the ranks of being a soldier for the Queen of England.

It is one of the highest paid military branch.

Also read: Highest Paid IT Jobs in the World | Top 10 IT Careers in 2022

2) Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)-

This umbrella body of the Canadian military offers outstanding base pay for new recruits no matter which area you join.

As a recruit, you earn approximately upwards of $30,000 US and that pay can range up quite a bit higher.

The only reason this branch of the military isn’t in our number one spot is due to a slight lack of total benefits (although with health care and allowances, you won’t exactly be lacking if you join ranks into the CAF) when compared to our top spot.

It is one of the second highest-paid military branches.

1) Australian Defense Force-

This branch from down under boasts close to the highest dollar amount of Earth. But it truly takes the top slot as the benefits and allowance pay shoots it past other global military branches.

In addition, base pay of approximately $30,000 US dollars, the ADF also offers allowances and benefits (including housing and uniforms allowances) that make the end resulting pay nearly double that figure for entry-level recruits.

For overall pay and benefits, you simply can do no better than the ADF.

This is the highest paid military branch.

In Conclusion

There you go, 10 of the highest-paid military branches in the world. If you’re a citizen of one of these countries and are currently looking around for work that won’t bore you but will also pad that pesky bank account of yours, joining ranks is the best way.

We want to know which branch you would like to join the most and why. Do you want to take the money and base pay or do you prefer a better benefits package?

Do you want the prestige of a branch like the United States Marine Corp., or would you prefer a quiet career in a branch that is less involved on a global scale like the Royal New Zealand Air Force?

Would you prefer the sheer power of the most powerful branch in the world- the US Navy? Are there any branches that you think got snubbed from our top ten? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.