The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently estimated that the average Active Duty service member received a compensation package worth $99,000. Non-cash compensation represents almost 60 percent of this package. Non-cash compensation includes health care, retirement pay, childcare and free or subsidized food, housing and education. Coupled with regular cash compensation, this adds up to attractive compensation for Soldiers.

Compare and contrast the total compensation and expenses for civilians and Soldiers.

Salary and allowances based on 2007 national averages.

* Sample based on a Sergeant (E5) with 4 years service married with dependents. Figures do not include bonuses.

** Civilian salary based on national averages. Source: Salary Wizard® at Salary.com.

*** Housing Allowance rates based off Kansas City, Missouri rates.

**** Tax advantages are an often unseen and overlooked aspect of military pay. Most allowances are tax-exempt.

***** Health care costs based on a report by the National Coalition on Health Care. http://www.nchc.org/facts/cost.shtml for a family of four.