Airmen / airwomen
If you join as an airman or airwoman you can expect to be paid the following:
Rank | Gross monthly pay (approx.) | Annual pay |
Aircraftman/woman during recruit and | £1,100 | £13,377 |
Leading Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman | £1,371 | £16,681 |
Senior Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman | £1,408 – £2,332 | £17,140 – £28,372 |
Corporal | £2,127 – £2,674 | £25,886 – £32,531 |
Sergeant | £2,418 – £2,975 | £29,424 – £36,204 |
During your recruit and professional training, you will be paid £13,377 – approximately £257 per week.
You will be promoted to Leading Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman after six months or when you complete your specialist training, whichever occurs first.
You will normally be promoted to Senior Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman after you have passed a trade ability test and completed one year’s total service.
Promotion to Corporal and above is by competitive selection.
Within the pay scales shown above, your salary will be determined by your experience and your performance.
Bonuses
If you are still in the RAF after four years and have not given notice to leave the Service, you can expect to get a bonus of £3,750, or £5,500 after five years. You may have to commit to a further minimum period of service to receive a bonus.
If you spend between 12 and 18 years in the RAF, you will get a grant when you leave to help you settle back into civilian life.
RAF pay, bonuses and charges are reviewed annually.
