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Military Pay Chart 1946-1949

1946-1949 U.S. Military Base Pay Charts

On June 29, 1946, President Harry S. Truman approved Public Law 79-474 which provided a pay raise for the personnel of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Coast and Geodetic Survey, and Public Health Service.

1945 Pay | 1950 Pay | Pay Raises

The base pay scales, effective July 1, 1946 through September 30, 1949, reflect the monthly dollar amounts ordered by that law.

The pay rates are monthly, U.S. dollar.

1946-1949 Enlisted Base Military Pay Chart

Enlisted pay for less than 3 to over 9 years of service.
Grade

note 1

Years of Service
Under 3 Over 3 Over 6 Over 9
1st

note 2

165.00 173.25 181.50 189.75
2nd 135.00 141.75 148.50 155.25
3rd 115.00 120.75 126.50 132.25
4th 100.00 105.00 110.00 115.00
5th 90.00 94.50 99.00 103.50
6th 80.00 84.00 88.00 92.00
7th 75.00 78.75 82.50 86.25
Enlisted pay chart for 12 to over 21 years of service.
Grade Years of Service
Over 12 Over 15 Over 18 Over 21
1st 198.00 206.25 214.50 222.75
2nd 162.00 168.75 175.50 182.25
3rd 138.00 143.75 149.50 155.25
4th 120.00 125.00 130.00 135.00
5th 108.00 112.50 117.00 121.50
6th 96.00 100.00 104.00 108.00
7th 90.00 93.75 97.50 101.25
Enlisted pay chart for 24 to over 30 years of service.
Grade Years of Service
Over 24 Over 27 Over 30
1st 231.00 239.25 247.50
2nd 189.00 195.75 202.50
3rd 161.00 166.75 172.50
4th 140.00 145.00 150.00
5th 126.00 130.50 135.00
6th 112.00 116.00 120.00
7th 105.00 108.75 112.50

Note 1: The "E" and "O" pay grades did not come until the approval of the Career Compensation Act of 1949; however, for comparison purposes, the 1st Grade, is the same as today's E-7; 7th Grade is the same as E-1.

Note 2: Chief petty officers under acting appointment shall be included in the first grade at a monthly base pay of $150.

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1946-1949 Military Officer Base Pay Chart

Officer pay chart for under 3 years to 9 years of service.
Period

note 3

Years of Service
Under 3 Over 3 Over 6 Over 9
8th 733.33 733.33 733.33733.33
7th 550.00 550.00 550.00733.33
6th 366.67 385.00 403.34 421.67
5th 320.83 336.87 352.90 368.95
4th 275.00 288.75 302.50 316.25
3rd 230.00 241.50 253.00 264.50
2nd 200.00 210.00 220.00 230.00
1st 180.00 189.00 198.00 207.00
Officer pay chart for 12 years to 21 years of service.
Period

note 3

Years of Service
Over 12 Over 15 Over 18 Over 21
8th 733.33733.33733.33733.33
7th 550.00550.00550.00550.00
6th 440.00 458.34 476.67 495.00
5th 385.00 401.04 417.08 433.12
4th 330.00 343.75 357.50 371.25
3rd 276.00 287.50 299.00 310.50
2nd 240.00 250.00 260.00 270.00
1st 216.00 225.00 234.00 243.00
Officer pay chart for 24 years to 30 years of service.
Period

note 3

Years of Service
Over 24 Over 27 Over 30
8th 733.33733.33733.33
7th 550.00550.00550.00
6th 513.34 531.67 550.00
5th 449.16 465.20 481.25
4th 385.00 398.75 412.50
3rd 322.00 333.50 345.00
2nd 280.00 290.00 300.00
1st 252.00 261.00 270.00

Note 3:

The pay of the sixth period shall be paid to colonels of the Army, captains of the Navy, and officers of corresponding grade; to lieutenant colonels of the Army, commanders of the Navy, and officers of corresponding grade, and lieutenant commanders of the line and Engineer Corps of the Coast Guard, who have completed thirty years' service; and to the Chief of Chaplains of the Army when not holding rank above that of colonel.

The pay of the fifth period shall be paid to lieutenant colonels of the Army, commanders of the Navy, and officers of corresponding grade who are not entitled to the pay of the sixth period; and to majors of the Army, lieutenant commanders of the Navy, and officers of corresponding grade, who have completed twenty-three years' service.

The pay of the fourth period shall be paid to majors of the Army, lieutenant commanders of the Navy, and officers of corresponding grade who are not entitled to the pay of the fifth period; to captains of the Army, lieutenants of the Navy, and officers of corresponding grade, who have completed seventeen years' service.

The pay of the third period shall be paid to captains of the Army, lieutenants of the Navy, and officers of corresponding grade who are not entitled to the pay of the fourth period; to first lieutenants of the Army, lieutenants (junior grade) of the Navy, and officers of corresponding grade, who have completed ten years' service.

The pay of the second period shall be paid to first lieutenants of the Army, lieutenants (junior grade) of the Navy, and officers of corresponding grade who are not entitled to the pay of the third period; and to second lieutenants of the Army, ensigns of the Navy, and officers of corresponding grade, who have completed five years' service; and to contract surgeons serving full time.

The pay of the first period shall be paid to all other officers.

For Warrant Officer pay, refer to Section 2 of Public Law 79-474.

Effective July 1, 1946 through September 30, 1949.

1946-1949 military base pay chart for active officer and enlisted personnel of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

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