Navy Sea vs Shore Income Compare
Compare a sea-duty setup with a shore-duty setup so you can see whether the duty-posture change is large enough to matter financially.
Best used as a directional check, not an entitlement audit.
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 decision is sea duty versus shore duty and you want a simple money comparison under one pay profile.
Worked example
Example: a sailor can keep grade and ZIP constant, switch the duty posture, and see whether the change is material enough to affect the decision.
When to use it
Use it for a quick direction check when the pay question matters but you do not need a line-by-line entitlement breakdown.
When not to use it
Do not use it when the decision depends on exact sea-pay treatment, assignment location, or billet details. Those need direct official confirmation.
What the result means
The difference is a directional estimate of how much the monthly picture changes between the two duty postures under the same baseline 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 sea-pay treatment line by line.
- Keeps the result directional so it can be checked quickly.
What is included
- Shared pay profile inputs
- The page's duty-posture comparison rule
- Monthly and annualized difference output
What is not included
- Exact assignment entitlements
- Billet quality or deployment schedule
- Any official sea-pay quote
Verify with
- Your assignment sponsor or chain of command
- Your finance office before making 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.