Are soldiers satisfied with their pay?

In 2008, 35% of soldiers surveyed said they were satisfied with their pay, which compares with about 48% of civilians who are satisfied with their pay.

What are the rates of pay?

Annual pay increases are made in spring.  From spring 2010, the rate of pay for new army recruits is £13,644 (about £260 per week before tax), rising to £17,014 (about £325 per week before tax) once trained.

It typically requires about 12 years' service to reach the rank of sergeant, at which point you would earn £32,000-£36,000 in today's money.  Most recruits leave the army sooner than this, however.

Is this a good rate of pay?

Those who say this is not a good rate of pay point out:

• The average (median) pay in the UK jobs market in 2009 was £25,428 - much higher than what most enlisted personnel earn in the armed forces.
• The armed forces do a dangerous job and have restricted freedoms so they ought to be paid a lot more than they are at the moment

Those who say it is a good rate of pay point out:

• Many people who join the armed forces come from poorer backgrounds and as civilians would be earning less than the national average.
• There are other perks involved in an armed forces career (cheaper travel, good pension, fewer living costs), which help you to get by.

[Sources: Army web site, 2009; Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey, 2008; Work Foundation, 2006; Office of National Statistics, 2009]

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