Military personnel are to receive an above inflation pay rise of 4.5% (3.75% for senior officers), recognising their extraordinary professionalism and the sacrifices they make to keep the British people safe.
The pay award forms part of the government’s efforts to fix recruitment and retention, while demonstrating how it is renewing the contract with those who serve. The pay rise will come into effect in July, and will be backdated to April.
The pay rise maintains the MOD’s status as a National Living Wage employer, while recognising the important work of military personnel in keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad – foundational to this government’s Plan for Change.
This pay award follows last year’s headline award of 6% (5% for senior officers) and a significant uplift for new recruits of approximately 35%, ensuring all full-time members of the Armed Forces were paid the National Living Wage for the first time. This means Armed Forces personnel have received a cumulative pay award of 10.5% (8.75% for senior officers) since July 2024.
Starting salaries for Other Ranks who have completed initial training will increase to approximately £26,334, benefiting around 7,800 of our most junior personnel, and starting pay for junior officers will rise to around £34,676.
There is also set to be a new £8,000 retention payment for around 4,000 eligible Army Privates and Lance Corporals each year for the next three years when they sign up for an extra three years of service.
It’s worth noting here that the Armed Forces pay award is at the upper end of the other Public Sector pay awards:
NHS: Most doctors and dentists 4%; Resident (junior) doctors average 5.4%; Nurses/NHS staff on Agenda for Change contracts 3.6%. Prison Officers 4%; Teachers 4%; Teaching Assistants, Caterers, Admin Staff and Caretakers 3.2%; Top Civil Servants 3.25%
Read more about this here.
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