Canadian Armed Forces members to receive pay increase
March 21, 2023 - Defence Stories
Most Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members can anticipate seeing a boost in their pay this summer. Beginning July 15, 2023, eligible CAF members will receive a general pay increase, effective retroactively to April 1, 2021. These increases will cover the current and the last two fiscal years. Treasury Board of Canada has also approved an additional economic increase for the next fiscal year (2024/2025).
Those who may be eligible for a lump sum back-payment include Regular or Reserve Force Non-Commissioned Members, General Service Officers and Pilots at the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and Commander and below, as well as Medical and Dental Officers.
This pay increase does not apply to senior officers at the rank of Colonel and Captain (Navy) and above. Their rates are managed separately and at this time, no decision has been made regarding an increase for them. There is also currently no timeline for the delivery of an economic increase for Legal Officers nor General Officers/Flag Officers (GOFOs).
The compounded increase of 10.4% percent demonstrates Canada’s continued support of CAF members, fairly compensating them for their continued and dedicated service.
The approved economic increase are as follows:
- Effective April 1, 2021, an economic increase of 1.5%;
- Effective April 1, 2022, an economic increase of 3.5%;
- Effective April 1, 2023, an economic increase of 3.0%;
- Effective April 1, 2024, an economic increase of 2.0%;
This economic increase also includes an additional increase for non-commissioned members (NCMs) in Standard and Specialist 2 Trade groups. The realignment of the rates of pay for the standard trade group will close the current gap between Standard and Specialist pay from 13%-6% to 10%-5% effective April 1, 2023. This is part of on-going efforts to adjust pay along with the evolution of the Profession of Arms. It recognizes the increased skills and competencies that are required in occupations that do not meet the threshold for assignment to a Specialist Trade group. The rates of pay for the Specialist Level 2 Trade Group has been set at 6.5%-2.7% above Specialist 1 pay. As such NCMs in the Standard and Specialist Level 2 Trade Groups will see an additional pay increase effective April 1, 2023, as follows:
Pay Variance From Spec 1
Long Description
Standard to Specialist 1 Trade Group
- Corporals, 10.0%
- Master Corporals, 6.7%
- Sergeants, 8.0%
- Warrant Officers, 8.0%
- Master Warrant Officers: 5.0%
Specialist 2 to Specialist 1 Trade Group
- Corporals, 7.0%
- Master Corporals, 7.0%
- Sergeants, 7.0%
- Warrant Officers, 7.0%
- Master Warrant Officers: 2.8%
Standard Trade Group
- Private, 1.81%
- Corporals, 3.06%
- Master Corporals, 5.90%
- Sergeants, 3.60%
- Warrant Officers, 0.60%
- Master Warrant Officers: 1.60%
Specialist 2 Trade Group
- Corporals, 0.18%
- Master Corporals, 0.30%
- Sergeants, 1.18%
- Warrant Officers, 3.16%
- Master Warrant Officers: 0.90%
The newly established ratios between the trade groups will be maintained at the variances shown in the graph above.
CAF members can view their new pay rate or statement electronically via Employee Member Access Application (EMAA), as individual payments will depend on rank, pay increment (PI), and time worked in each category.
The implementation of this economic increase is a little different than how it has been done in the past, due to the programing requirements of the new Canadian Forces Housing Differential (CFHD). As all changes must be done in tandem (a substantial administrative undertaking), reason members will see their lump sum payments in July.
CAF members who released after March 31, 2021, will be eligible for a lump sum back payment and adjustments to their CF Severance Pay based on the new rates effective at release. Former members who have not received the lump sum back payment by the end of August 2023 should contact the Release Benefits Administration via email at Release_Benefits_Administration@forces.gc.ca to inquire about their own specific case.
An estimated 2,000 former CAF members received CF Severance Pay at the time of their release. These amounts will be recalculated, with adjustments sent to the former members’ bank accounts over the next few months.
The Department of National Defence (DND) and the CAF recognize the need to ensure that military compensation remains fair and relevant, to ensure the attraction and retention of the highest standard of personnel required for the challenges of service in the profession of arms.
Treasury Board approval of these increases recognizes the value of military members, strengthens overall morale, supports Strong, Secure, and Engaged initiatives in attraction and retention, and strengthens the larger employment model of the CAF.
| Full-Time Annual Salary RegF/ClassC | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Overall Annual Increasetable 1 note * | Retroactive Paymenttable 1 note ** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corporal (5A) Standard Increment 4 |
$68,520 | $70,920 | $75,276 | $76,776 | $9,264 | $4,497 |
| Sergeant (6A) Standard Increment 4 |
$77,484 | $80,196 | $85,548 | $87,264 | $10,920 | $5,190 |
| Chief Warrant Officer (8A) Standard Increment 4 |
$105,840 | $109,548 | $112,836 | $115,092 | $10,812 | $6,090 |
| Captain Increment 10 | $112,680 | $116,628 | $120,132 | $122,532 | $11,520 | $6,492 |
| Lieutenant-Colonel Increment 4 | $142,188 | $147,168 | $151,584 | $154,620 | $14,532 | $8,184 |
Table 2 Notes
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| Part-Time Salary Daily - Class A/B | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Overall Daily Increasetable 1 note * | Approximated Retroactive Paymenttable 1 note ** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corporal (Stand. A2) Increment 4 | $174.24 | $180.34 | $191.38 | $214.74 | $43.08 | $1,098.24 |
| Sergeant (Stand. 4) Increment 4 | $197.04 | $203.94 | $217.52 | $221.88 | $27.76 | $1,268.64 |
| Chief Warrant Officer (7A) Increment 4 | $269.12 | $278.54 | $286.90 | $292.64 | $27.50 | $1,487.04 |
| Captain Increment 10 | $286.50 | $296.54 | $305.44 | $311.56 | $29.30 | $1,584.48 |
| Lieutenant-Colonel Increment 4 | $361.52 | $374.18 | $385.42 | $393.14 | $36.96 | $1,997.76 |
Table 2 Notes
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