What's Your Military Compensation Really Worth?
Your base pay is just the start. See the full picture — whether you're staying, leaving, or planning ahead.
Calculate Your NumbersFour Numbers You Need to Know
BASE PAY
What the military "officially" pays you
The number you see every month. But here's the thing—it's often less than half of what the military is actually paying you.
Example: E-7 with 14 years
~$66,000
TOTAL COMPENSATION
What your package is really worth
Everything the military gives you—Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), TRICARE, Thrift Spending Plan (TSP) match, Child Development Center (CDC) rates—converted to what a civilian employer would have to spend to match it.
Same E-7/14 example
~$160,000
BREAK-EVEN SALARY
The Real Comparison
The civilian salary you'd need to maintain your current lifestyle. Your baseline for any career decision.
Example: E-7/14 YOS with 2 kids
~$140,000
YOUR HARD DECK
Your Minimum Threshold
The floor for evaluating opportunities — civilian jobs, retention bonuses, or contract work. Know this before you negotiate anything.
Same E-7/14 example
~$125,000
What Makes PayRecon Different
Real DFAS Numbers
Pulls from the same pay tables DFAS uses. Your actual BAH rate, your actual BAS, not some estimate from 2019.
Special Pays Covered
SDAP, FLPP, Aviation, Sea Pay, Dive Pay, Sub Pay, HDIP—if you're getting it, we're counting it.
Childcare Reality Check
CDC costs vs. civilian daycare. That $600/month slot? Try $2,000+ on the outside. We show you the difference.
Clearance Premium
Your TS/SCI has market value—$15K-$30K depending on level. We add it to your total package so you know what you're bringing to the table.
Tax-Smart Calculations
BAH and BAS are tax-free—that's worth more than it looks. We gross it up so you see the real civilian equivalent.
Retirement Comparison
BRS or High-3? See how your pension stacks up and what walking away at different points actually costs you.
Ready to See Your Real Numbers?
Get your four critical numbers in minutes — whether you're planning, deciding, or negotiating. Free, accurate, and based on official DoD data.
Start CalculatorPayRecon provides planning estimates, not financial advice. See assumptions & methodology