The Average Salary of an E5 Army Sergeant

A U.S. Army sergeant typically oversees a squad of nine to 10 soldiers, setting an example through daily interaction for the soldiers to follow. The "E5" designation refers to that sergeant's pay scale.

Basic Pay

• A soldier's basic pay is figured not only according to rank, but also by how long the soldier has served. According to the recruiting website GoArmy.com, the basic yearly pay in 2010 for the rank of an E5 sergeant with less than two years of experience is $24,735. That amount increases to $28,972 with four years of experience and $31,006 upon reaching six years of service.

Additional Compensation

• The basic salary is only counted by the army as part of the total compensation offered to soldiers like an E5 sergeant. GoArmy.com offers an analogy, based on the 2007 E5 sergeant salary, as an example of the total compensation compared to the basic salary. An E5 sergeant with four years of service, who is also married with children, may have a basic salary of $26,967. But with housing benefits, food allowance, special pay, tax advantages and included health care, the sergeant's net income balloons to $47,278.

Extra Benefits

• An E5 sergeant may also receive further benefits, as outlined at GoArmy.com, through education bonuses, civilian skills bonuses, a bonus after completing the Ranger Indoctrination Program and a bonus after completing Officer Candidate School.