Salary expectations
There are two levels of entry to the Royal Navy - Rating and Officer. Rating is our entry-level role for a hands-on career. Officer positions require more qualifications and are the managers and leaders of the Royal Navy.
Pay and benefits
A highly competitive salary is yours to earn. And an enviable benefits package means more of your money stays where it should be – in your pocket.
RATING SALARY
UP TO £66,585
£26,344+ from day one
OFFICER SALARY
UP TO £122,849
£34,676+ from day one
Rating salary
Ratings are the heart of the Royal Navy – a team of highly-valued hands-on skilled experts. Not everyone will need a qualification to join. Though if you bring potential, drive and ability, we offer training and opportunities that are hard to match.
Whether your passion is cooking up a storm or fixing things, here’s what you can expect to be paid.
Day one
£26,344+ a year
First promotion - Leading Rating
£39,565+ a year
Get your first big promotion within four years.
Second promotion - Petty Officer
£44,000+ a year
Another pay rise and promotion at around eight years.
Highest level - Warrant Officer
£66,585+
You could reach a top salary at 18 years, or be commissioned as an Officer even sooner.
Become an Officer
£122,849+
At any point during your time as a Rating, you can apply to become a Commissioned Officer. If you have what it takes, you can climb the ranks to Captain.
Officer salary
Joining the Navy comes with a fantastic benefit package.
As well as free gym membership, health and dental - we cover the cost of accommodation, bills and food when you’re at sea provide subsidies when you’re not
Day one
£34,676+ a year
Typically, you’ll start your career as a Midshipman.
First promotion – Sub-Lieutenant
£41,456+ a year
After a year of service, if you’ve completed training.
Second promotion – Lieutenant
£52,815+ a year
Get promoted again after just two and a half years (that’s three and a half after signing up).
Highest level – Captain*
£122,849+
*The highest rank in the whole of the Royal Naval Service is First Sea Lord – Admiral.
BENEFITS
Benefits
Financial
- Competitive monthly salary from the moment you start
- Pension scheme where we contribute but you don’t have to
- Allowance for extended tours
- Longer separation allowance
- Defence discount services – from car and hotel to holidays and high street shops
Wellbeing & Health
- Six weeks’ paid holiday every year
- Free medical and dental care
- Free access to gym and sports facilities
- Adventurous training for 5 days every year
- Sports associations, from football and rugby to kayaking and kite-surfing
Home & Family
- Subsidised travel, accommodation and food
- Up to 52 weeks’ maternity leave (26 weeks on full pay)
- Two weeks’ paternity leave on full pay, with option for shared paternity leave
- Help with your at-home living arrangements (including your family)
- Forces Help to Buy scheme: a 0% loan to get you on or further up the housing ladder
Home & Family
- Subsidised travel, accommodation and food
- Up to 52 weeks’ maternity leave (26 weeks on full pay)
- Two weeks’ paternity leave on full pay, with option for shared paternity leave
- Help with your at-home living arrangements (including your family)
- Forces Help to Buy scheme: a 0% loan to get you on or further up the housing ladder
Allowances & DIscounts
- Subsidised travel, accommodation and food
- Allowance for extended tours
- Longer separation allowance
- Defence discount services – from car and hotel to holidays and high street shops
Submariner Extra Financial Benefits
- A £5,000 (£7,500 for Warfare Specialist Submariners) bonus on being awarded your Dolphins - the mark of a qualified submariner
- Additional Submariner Pay is awarded upon completion of submariner training and starts at £6,106 raising to £10,690; depending on time served as a submariner as your career progresses
- Receive a £25,000 bonus after serving six years as a qualified submariner
YOUR EARNINGS GO FURTHER
In the Royal Navy, your earnings go further
Keep more of your earnings for yourself with subsidised living costs.
Accommodation
No rent or other accommodation costs while at sea.
Bills
No utility bills to pay while at sea.
Food
Free nutritious meals provided to you while deployed.
Fitness
Free gym membership and other facilities for sports and training.
Travel
Travel the world as part of your job and get paid for it.
What benefits do Royal Navy Officers get?
Free qualifications. Unlimited sport. Global travel. Making a real difference from day one. The benefits you get as a Royal Navy Officer are unrivalled by anything you’ll find on ‘Civvy Street’.
Apply now
Find your place in the Royal Navy. Make friends for life, learn new skills and experience the world.
Got a question?
Need help finding your ideal role?
Our virtual recruiter is available to answer your questions 24 hours a day
Got a question?
Need help finding your ideal role?
Our virtual recruiter is available to answer your questions 24 hours a day