The Pay Scale if You're Married in the Air Force

The Air Force is a demanding job - especially if you are married. Its members have the mission to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace. To achieve this mission, the Air Force develops Airmen, who are paid according to their rank and years of service. In addition to a base salary, the Air Force pays a housing allowance to its men and women based on their marital status and number of dependents.

In 2011, the basic pay salary for a level one Airman with less than two years of service is $1,467.60 per month. Married and nonmarried Airmen receive the same basic pay salary. This monthly salary increases to $2,637.30 for a level eight Airman with less than two years of service. A level one officer with less than two years of service receives $2,784 a month, and a level eight officer receives $9,530.70.

Congress has proposed a 1.6 percent pay raise for the members of all the armed services effective Jan. 1, 2012. The basic pay salary for Air Force members would be the same regardless of their marital status. The 2012 pay scale starts at $1,379 per month for newly enlisted members and goes up to $7,311 per month for members at the highest level of E-9 with over 38 years of service. Officers start at $2,828 per month, going up to $19,239 a month for commissioned officers with over 38 years of experience.

In addition to the base salary, the housing allowance given by the Air Force depends on the member's dependency status and her residency location during service. If a member is married or has children, the housing allowance is higher. In 2011, the housing allowance for a level one Airman with dependents in Auburn, Alabama, is $927 per month. In comparison, a level nine Airman with dependents receives $1,506 per month. A level one officer with dependents receives $1,332 in the same area, and a level seven officer with dependents receives $1,839.

Air Force members living in one of 26 high-cost areas in the country can receive cost of living allowances. These areas include cities in California, New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts. The cost-of-living allowance increases if an Airman has dependents. The allowance also varies based on the location indicator number, payout rate and years of service.