Question 1

What is British Army take-home pay in 2026/27?

Accepted Answer

A Private on Level 1 (£23,907 gross) takes home £19,872/year (£1,656/month) after income tax, NI and 4.5% AFPS 15 pension. A Sergeant (£38,845) takes home £30,090/year (£2,507/month). A Captain (£51,923) takes home £39,134/year (£3,261/month). A Lieutenant Colonel (£78,432) takes home £53,931/year (£4,494/month). All figures include the 14.5% X-Factor.

Question 2

What is the difference between a Warrant Officer Class 1 and Class 2?

Accepted Answer

Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) is typically a Company Sergeant Major, earning £47,480 and taking home £35,996/year. Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) is the Regimental Sergeant Major — the most senior non-commissioned rank — earning £52,617 and taking home £39,650/year. WO1 is the highest non-commissioned rank in the British Army.

Question 3

How much does a British soldier earn per month?

Accepted Answer

A Private on entry earns £1,656/month take-home after tax, NI and pension. A Corporal earns around £2,175/month. A Sergeant earns £2,507/month. A Captain earns £3,261/month. These are basic pay figures including the 14.5% X-Factor supplement.

Question 4

What pension do Army soldiers receive?

Accepted Answer

Army soldiers are in the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015 (AFPS 15), a defined benefit career average (CARE) scheme. The employee contribution is 4.5% — lower than NHS, teacher or civil service pension schemes. The MOD contributes approximately 26%. The Normal Pension Age is 60, with an immediate pension option from age 55 after 20 years qualifying service.

Question 5

Do soldiers pay income tax and National Insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, standard Army pay is fully subject to UK income tax and National Insurance. The only exemption is the Operational Tax Exemption (OTE) for personnel serving on qualifying overseas operations — during qualifying deployments, income tax on that service period may be waived by the Ministry of Defence.

Rank	Gross	Take-Home/Year	Monthly Net	Pension	Role
Private Level 1	£23,907	£19,872	£1,656.00	4.5%	Entry — other ranks
Private Level 5 (competent)	£27,698	£22,466	£1,872.00	4.5%	Competent other rank
Lance Corporal	£31,188	£24,852	£2,071.00	4.5%	Junior NCO
Corporal	£33,011	£26,099	£2,175.00	4.5%	Section commander
Sergeant	£38,845	£30,090	£2,507.00	4.5%	Senior NCO
Staff Sergeant	£42,168	£32,362	£2,697.00	4.5%	Company / troop level
Warrant Officer Class 2	£47,480	£35,996	£3,000.00	4.5%	Company sergeant major
Warrant Officer Class 1	£52,617	£39,650	£3,304.00	4.5%	Regimental sergeant major
2nd Lieutenant	£34,614	£27,196	£2,266.00	4.5%	Junior commissioned officer
Lieutenant	£42,681	£32,713	£2,726.00	4.5%	Platoon commander
Captain	£51,923	£39,134	£3,261.00	4.5%	Company / staff level
Major	£62,282	£44,999	£3,750.00	4.5%	Company commander
Lieutenant Colonel	£78,432	£53,931	£4,494.00	4.5%	Commanding officer

Army Pay Scale 2026/27

Army Pay Scale — Take-Home Pay 2026/27

Army Specialist Pays 2026/27

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Pay Guides