Level 1

• Skill level 1 psychological operations specialists typically hold an enlisted rank of Specialist-4 and a pay grade of E-4. The annual basic pay for an E-4 with less than two years of service was $22,993 as of the 2011 fiscal year, according to the U.S. Army. E-4s with between two and four years of service earned basic pay of $26,770 per year. E-4s with between four and six years of service earned basic pay of $27,911 annually.
  
  

Level 2

• Skill level 2 psychological operations specialists typically hold an enlisted rank of Specialist-5 or Sergeant and a pay grade of E-5. The annual basic pay for an E-5 with less than two years of service was $25,081 as of the 2011 fiscal year, according to the Army. E-5s with between two and four years of service earned basic pay of $29,380 per year. E-5s with between four and six years of service earned annual basic pay of $31,442.
  
  

Level 3

• Skill level 3 psychological operations specialists typically hold an enlisted rank of Specialist-6 or Staff Sergeant and a pay grade of E-6. The annual basic pay for an E-6 with less than two years of service was $27,374 as of the 2011 fiscal year, according to the Army. E-6s with between two and four years of service earned yearly basic pay of $32,742. E-6s with between four and six years of service earned basic pay of $34,088 annually.
  
  

Benefits

• Basic pay accounts for only a portion of a psychological operations specialist's total compensation. Active duty psychological operations specialists are typically Airborne qualified and are entitled to receive hazardous duty pay for parachute duty. Enlisted service members who don't live on post are entitled to a housing stipend, referred to as basic allowance for quarters, in addition to a meal allowance, referred to as basic allowance for subsistence. Amounts vary based on the soldier's duty station. Additional benefits may include a clothing allowance, educational benefits, health care and retirement benefits. A soldier's total compensation package averages $99,000 per year, according to the U.S. Army.