Army pay is broadly based on equivalent civilian earnings (including overtime, bonuses and fringe benefits) for comparable work.

Guides to pay rates can be downloaded on the right.

No civilian occupation can be directly compared to serving in the Army, so a Joint Services' Job Evaluation Team (JSSET), with military members trained in job analysis, constantly update job descriptions over the whole range of Service trades.  The trades are then evaluated against six factors:

• knowledge, skills and experience
• complexity and mental challenge
• judgement and decision making
• use of resources
• communication (both internal and external)
• working conditions

The scores are compared to those for civilian jobs that have been similarly evaluated.  This information together with evidence from the MOD, is presented to the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body (AFPRB).

The Armed Forces' Pay Review Body is an independent body of distinguished men and women from public life and industry. They visit Army headquarters and units each year to assess reaction to their reports and seek out 'grass roots' opinion on the issues of the day.  They use the job evaluation scores, MOD evidence and information gathered during visits, to recommend to the Prime Minister the rates for the basic and additional Service pay, some allowances and charges for food and accommodation.

The AFPRB Report is produced annually.