Coast Guard Cutter vs Shore Income Compare
Compare cutter duty with shore duty so you can judge whether the duty-posture change moves the monthly picture enough to matter.
Best used as a directional money check, not a final entitlement answer.
Complete required fields, then select Calculate.
Estimate confidence: PENDING INPUT
Data as of 2026-01-01
Included in estimate
- Base pay (paygrade + years of service)
- BAS
- BAH (ZIP + dependent status)
- Special pay entered in this scenario
- Cost-of-living factor used by this tool
- Deduction rate assumption shown in this tool
Not included
- Service-specific incentive pays not entered (for example sea pay or flight pay)
- Future pay-table or allowance updates after the data date
- Personal tax credits/deductions beyond the selected deduction assumption
What this tool is for
Use this page when the question is cutter duty versus shore duty under one Coast Guard pay profile. It keeps the comparison focused on the posture change rather than rebuilding the whole scenario.
Worked example
Example: a Coast Guard member can hold grade and location constant, switch duty posture, and see whether the monthly difference is material enough to influence the assignment decision.
When to use it
Use it when you want a quick directional check between cutter and shore duty.
When not to use it
Do not use it when the real question is exact entitlement treatment, assignment timing, or a location change. Those need separate confirmation.
What the result means
The monthly difference is a directional estimate for the duty-posture change under the same baseline pay profile.
Official sources used
Direct links to the official pages this tool relies on.
Site assumptions
- Uses one baseline pay profile and applies a site duty-posture comparison rule.
- Does not break out exact cutter-pay treatment line by line.
- Keeps the result directional so it remains easy to interpret.
What is included
- Shared pay profile inputs
- The page's duty-posture comparison rule
- Monthly and annualized difference output
What is not included
- Exact cutter-duty entitlement treatment
- Billet details or assignment quality
- Any official Coast Guard pay quote
Verify with
- Your assignment sponsor or admin chain
- Your finance office before using the result for a real commitment
Frequently asked questions
Is this an official government site?
No. This is an independent planning utility, not an official U.S. Government website. Do not submit CUI, ITAR, classified, or sensitive personal information. Always verify estimates with official sources before making financial decisions.
How accurate are these estimates?
These are planning estimates based on official DFAS, DoD, and service-specific sources. Actual pay may vary based on your specific situation, special pays, tax withholdings, and other factors. Use these tools for planning purposes and verify with your finance office.
When was this data last updated?
Check the source and assumptions sections on this page for the current effective date used by the site. If the linked official pages have changed since then, use the official pages first.
Does this model sea pay or cutter pay line-by-line?
No. It uses a scenario comparison factor rather than a full entitlement-by-entitlement model. Treat it as a planning direction signal, then verify the exact assignment package through official channels.
This estimate uses simplified planning assumptions. Review the linked methodology and official source pages before making financial decisions. Spotted an error or have a suggestion? Send a note.