Navy SEALs are the best known special operations force for the United States. The first missions carried out by the unit were in Cuba in the 1960s. The SEALs specialize in missions that require covert, small-unit teams. Navy Seals also conduct reconnaissance for other military forces. The SEALs go through what can be considered the toughest military training in the world.

A Navy SEAL’s salary is a earned monthly and can vary depending on the person’s level of experience. The length of the SEAL’s service as well as their ranking in the Navy will determine their salary. Moving up in the ranks earns SEALs an increase in salary. Here’s a breakdown of Navy Seal salary based on ranking:

LOW Rank

One of the lowest paid Navy SEAL positions is the 0-1 commissioned officer. This is an entry-level position which generally involves less than two months of experience in the Navy.  O-1 commissioned officers are typically paid $2,876.40 each month. This would work out to a yearly salary of $34,512.

MIDDLE Rank

After the three month mark, Navy SEALs at this position would get a raise to $43,428 per year. In the middle ranks of the military, a Navy SEAL can earn anywhere from $55,000 to $75,000 per year.

HIGH Rank

This highest pay grade for a navy commissioned officer is O-10. This position earns $234,792 a year, translating to a monthly salary of $19,566.90. Warrant officers, specializing in specific technical or tactical skills, vary in ranking from one to five with W-5 officers making $110,664 each year.

A Master Chief Special Warfare Operator makes as much as $139,440 per year. This translates to a monthly salary of $11,616.

Interesting fact: The name “SEAL” derives from the abbreviation of the words “Sea, Air, and Land”. The group was given this name to reflect their training, which prepared them for any environment.

Navy SEALS Special Pays

SEALs earn ‘Special Pays’ to incentivize certain tasks. The more dangerous tasks earn the SEALs more money. It is through this program that the US Military properly compensates the SEALs for their rigorous work.

Navy SEALS get $240 per month for hazard pay in addition to their regular salary.

If the Navy SEAL is ranked highly enough, he can earn a monthly bonus of $225 if they are required to participate in a demolition or in parachuting.

They get a $240 bonus per month if they have to go diving.

If they so choose, they can receive a yearly clothing allowance of as much as $760 and a housing allowance of $960 each month. The 2014 Navy SEAL Average Salary is $56,000.

MarineSalary.com reports that Navy SEALS are starting at anywhere from $42,000 per year to $63,000 per year. The average salary ranges from $51,000 to $76,500 per year.

Interesting Fact: As of 2015, women have been allowed to to join the Navy SEALs. As of yet, there has not been a women to join the ranks.

Training Salary

The average candidate spends over a year in formal training before earning the designation of being a Navy SEAL.

While people are training to become a Navy SEAL, they still make $1,468 each month. After they have completed their training, their salary increases to $1,916 per month which translates to a yearly salary of $22,992.

It is safe to say that Navy SEALS are well worth their pay. They put their lives on the line to protect their country and, in most cases, their salary reflects their sacrifice very well. Only time will tell if the average salary of Navy SEALS increases or stays the same as it is now.

Here is a video showing the grueling physical standards required to become a Navy SEAL: