US Navy Pay Grades For Enlisted Men in 1944
I’ve been reading various histories of the US Navy in World War II for decades, but I don’t recall ever reading about the pay scales of enlisted men. Until that is, I ordered a copy of The Bluejackets’ Manual.
First published in 1902, the book is issued to new US Navy recruits instructing them in the basic rules, regulations, and traditions of the sea service. The 1944 edition is the 12th of 23.
Among the topics covered are the pay grades for enlisted personnel. These rates were established in 1942.
Pay Grades
| Grade | Pay per month | Class or Rating |
| 1 | $138 | Chief petty officers, permanent appointment. |
| 1A | 126 | Chief petty officers, acting appointment |
| 2 | 114 | Petty officers, first class |
| 3 | 96 | Petty officers, second class |
| 4 | 78 | Petty officers, third class |
| 5 | 66 | Nonrated men, first class |
| 6 | 54 | Nonrated men, second class |
| 7 | 50 | Apprentice seamen |
The book notes that pay for the Stewards branch is the one exception. There were no petty officers in their branch. Stewards were in grades 1-4. Steward’s Mates were in grades 5-7.
Enlisted men assigned to duty stations where quarters or rations were not furnished could also receive an additional daily allowance of up to five dollars per day.
Those awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, or Navy Cross received an additional $2.00 per month.
The base pay was increased 5 per cent after the first three years of service and 5 percent additional for each 3 years’ service thereafter, the total not to exceed 50 per cent.
The Blue Jackets’ Manual, 1944 Twelth Ed. (Annapolis; United States Naval Institute) 76-77
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