Do U.S. troops get paid during a government shutdown? What to know about service members’s paychecks this month
Donald Trump’s government shutdown means a lot for the thousands of troops across the country.
As Donald Trump continues his rollout of US Troops across the country during a government shutdown thanks to the GOP’s reluctance to continue with the already struggling medical aid programs, one huge question hangs in the air: are the soldiers getting paid?
Traditionally, service members haven’t missed paychecks even during funding lapses. But this time, the situation looks be different, and Trump-induced uncertainty has put them in an uneasy financial position.
Under normal circumstances, military pay enjoys strong protection during shutdowns, with Congress often treating troop compensation as a priority, sometimes negotiating separate funding to avoid service members going unpaid.
During the 2018–2019 shutdown, for example, most active-duty troops were still paid because their funding came under a Department of Defense appropriation that was already secured. But that was Trump version 1.0, and he didn’t have such a well-detailed plan as he does now.
It is insane to not pay our troops.
— Rep. Ted Lieu (@RepTedLieu) October 8, 2025
Democrats are here. Republicans need to come back from their vacation, work with us, and we need to pay our troops. pic.twitter.com/dbdG3KyAnU
Yet the situation in 2025 has fractured expectations. Because the government failed to extend its spending resolution, nearly 900,000 federal workers face furlough, and others are required to work without pay. While a 2019 law mandates retroactive pay for federal employees affected by shutdowns, application to military pay is now being debated.
The next military paycheck, due October 15, is now all in Trump’s hands, as the Senate failed to act on spending legislation before leaving for the long weekend.
This move has left many service members without pay temporarily. Reports say that 400 Texas National Guard troops deployed to Chicago already haven’t received a pay check and were last paid on September 30. POLITICO says that “if all active-duty troops are not paid on time, it would be a first in U.S. history.”
Of course, rather than take action, the Republicans are instead deflecting attention away from themselves and over to the Democrats, blaming them for the shutdown — remember, the shutdown is due to an impasse over Republican-the extension of expiring tax credits which makes health insurance cheaper for millions of Americans.
How much does a soldier earn in the US?
According to FederalPay, a Recruit—the lowest rank in the U.S. Army—earns an average of $2,017 per month. From there, pay increases with each promotion, progressing through ranks such as Private, Private First Class, Specialist, Corporal, Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Sergeant First Class, First Sergeant, Master Sergeant, Sergeant Major, and Command Sergeant Major, up to Sergeant Major of the Army, who earns about $8,130 per month on average.
Related stories
Don’t let Donald dupe you into thinking he cares about the army, or the thousands of US veterans who are currently homeless and without healthcare.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment