Private Military Contractor Salaries Revealed In 2024
Private Military Contractors are an integral part of a shadowy world of modern warfare, and unveiling their earnings is often difficult due to the secretive nature of this sector of the security industry. Salary details are part of classified information related to national security, military strategy, or diplomatic efforts. Salaries for PMCs are often sourced from organizations such as the CIA, and these agreements are strictly confidential. How much do mercenaries make is a very relevant inquiry for those that are interested in a private military contractor job however.
PMCs are indeed modern-day “soldiers of fortune” sometimes also referred to as mercenaries. Note that the terms contractor and mercenary (“merc”) are sometimes used interchangeably when referring to a contractor, but there are significant differences between true “mercenaries” and PMCs (“contractors”). True mercenaries are almost always used in front-line conflict, while PMCs cannot legally perform offensive maneuvers, and can only fire when fired upon. Using actual mercenaries is banned by international laws- but the use of PMCs is considered legal. While security contractors do work for the money, their profit motives do not overshadow ethics, and PMCs are accountable to their companies and all laws. This is unlike a true mercenary who has no accountability and whose motive is exclusively monetary. Legitimate contractors are key players for governments or entities that want to extend their influence or protect their global interests. PMCs are used to:
- supplement traditional armed forces around the globe
- provide security consulting and training
- gather intelligence
- provide specialized skills and expertise
- work with government entities, military forces, intelligence agencies, and private sector clients.
Exploring Influential Factors Impacting PMC Salaries
Salary compensation for PMCs is influenced by many factors- such as the level of risk of any assignments, the duration of the contract, or any specific skills required for the roles. Additionally, higher pay is expected for work assigned in high-risk dangerous environments like conflict zones or regions plagued by insurgency.
Here’s how various factors affect compensation:
- PMC Companies. Compensation levels can vary from company to company, and there are different jobs within companies as well. There are steady salaries for work in ft positions such as trainers, administrators, or logistical staff. Some individuals working for PMCs may get contract-based compensation for specific missions they undertake. There can be additional performance-based incentives of bonuses, awards, or team performance. There are consulting or project-based payments, often for short-term assignments outside regular duties. Employees working for PMCs may also be hired on a contractor/independent contractor basis (without the benefits associated with a ft employee). As a result of all these variables, salaries can differ widely. Companies also may or may not offer sick leave, unemployment, pension, survivor’s benefits, and other compensations.
- The Type of Contract Being Offered. The duration and scope of PMC contracts play a role in salary- (e.g. a longer-term contract may offer more lucrative compensation compared to short-term ad hoc services for specific missions or projects). The frequency of pay can also vary by company. Some companies will pay their employees daily- however some may not pay until an assignment is complete. Daily pay rates can run from $500 to $1,000-up to $400,000 per year– depending on the company.
- Level of Risk and Hazardous Environments-Assignments in conflict zones or dangerous regions command higher salaries due to increased likelihood of injury or death.
- Specialized Skills and Expertise Required- Contractors with in-demand expertise can command higher salaries (e.g. snipers, pilots, interrogators). For instance, it has been rumored that interrogators have made up to $14,000 per week.
- Experience and Seniority- Similar to other professions, those with proven track records, success, experience and seniority can command higher earnings (e.g. project managers or strategic advisors).
What Are Currents PMC Salaries In 2024?
Despite the secrecy, many want to know if private military contractors really make big salaries. How much do mercenaries get paid? Here are some salary statistics:
- ENTRY-LEVEL POSITIONS are those roles that require basic training and experience in handling firearms and conducting security operations (e.g. security guards or convoy drivers). They receive salaries that usually range from $50,000 to $80,000 a year. Comparably.com narrows these figures and says that this level of private military contractor makes between $48,715 to $61,257 annually.
- MID-LEVEL POSITIONS are roles that require more specialized skills and/or prior military or law enforcement experience (e.g. tactical team leaders or intelligence analysts). Mid-level positions would command higher salaries in the $80,000 to $150,000 range.
- SENIOR-LEVEL POSITIONS are experienced contractors with extensive combat experience, specialized training, and in-depth knowledge of strategic planning/execution (e.g. project managers, advisors, or specialized consultants). These salaries can range from $150,000 to $300,000 annually.
As an example of salary ranges, here’s a look at the well-known private military company Academi. This PMC was founded in 1996 by a former Navy SEAL Erik Prince, and was first called Blackwater, then Xe Services, then Academi, and now Constellis Holdings.
Academi Mercenaries Salary Range
Per Glass Door, the average Academi salary ranges from approximately $46,250 per year (estimate) for a Base Security Officer to $162,754 per year (estimate) for a Director.
The average Academi hourly pay ranges from approximately $24 per hour (estimate) for a Driver to $31 per hour (estimate) for an Adjunct Firearms and Tactics Instructor.
So the highest-paying job at Academi is a Director with a salary of $162,754 per year (estimate).The lowest-paying job at Academi is a Base Security Officer with a salary of $46,250 per year (estimate).
Do PMC Salaries Compare Well To Other Security Jobs?
Private Military Contractor Pay vs Security Guard Pay
Here is the pay scale for average private military contractors working in the United States. The majority of PMC wages currently range from $24.04 to $29.57, with an average of $26.64/hour. That makes the PMC salary range $4,167/mo to $5,125/mo ($50,003 to $61,506 annually).
How much do security guards make in comparison? The national average of security guard salaries in the US currently comes in at $15.89/hr, which is $2,755/mo or about $31,200/year. The security guard pay range is from $27,300/year up to $37,101/year. However, there are fluctuations- many states pay more. For example, New York comes in highest at $21.12/hr or $43,924/year, followed by Vermont at $20.75/hr or $43,168/year. Due to the higher cost of living, some cities are also known to have higher pay for security guards. NYC, Los Angeles, and Chicago on average pay their guards $18.84/hr, $18.54/hr and $14.50/hr ($39,187, $38,571 and $30,160 yearly).
What about a US Air Marshal Salary?
US air marshal salaries start with entry-level FAMs being paid $46,428/year ($22.32/hr and $3,869/mo). This can go up to $71,932/year ($34.58/hr and $5,994/mo). More experience, training, and education, along with additional pay bonuses and benefits can take base salaries up to the $81,000 to $131,000 range.
Private Military Contractor Pay vs Military Pay
Here is a comparison of PMCs vs military personnel that are working in the same conflict zone, with pay based on an elevated risk area. PMCs can earn between $300 to $750 a day- $9000 and $22,500 per month. This is much higher than the usual military salaries. Privates in the military are at the lowest on the military pay scale and earn $1,468/mo. Captains are at the high end of the salary range with earnings of $4,468/mo. All other military salaries fall somewhere in between this.
However there are additional pros and cons to take into account when comparing PMCs jobs to military work when working overseas. On the pro side for PMCs, some or most of their money earned may be “tax free,” (e.g. the IRS foreign earned income exclusion is $126,500 a year for 2024). This is unlike US military personnel who still pay taxes on their base pay earned overseas. However, a con for PMCs would be that since independent contractors work on a contract basis- when their contract ends, their income/benefits are over. This is unlike military personnel, who are full-time employees. Even when their deployment ends, their paycheck and long-term medical, retirement and other benefits continue.
In conclusion, there are many other factors than salary when looking to work as a private military contractor. Here are some insights about PMC work by John Fogh, a private military contractor who has lived the contractor life:
“Uncertainty, chaos, adventure and frequent flyer miles.
Here is a quick example: you submit a couple of resumes for a couple of jobs. One job is going to pay $400 a day, the other is going to pay $600 a day for six months of work. You get called back by both companies, and find out that they are still waiting on the contracts to be finalized, but the $400/day job will be starting in two weeks and the $600 a day job will be starting in three weeks. Which job do you commit to? It’s a trick question, because neither company got their contract.
Welcome to the life of a contractor. Every job in the industry is obtained by your personal network and your reputation. Any given company will have a few go-to guys, who will let their buddies know about jobs and fast-track resumes to the hiring manager… Contracts that have been awarded will cause the company to send you plane tickets for tomorrow morning, with your employment paperwork to follow later. For every actual job there are a lot of false starts and last minute cancellations.
The industry is demand driven and so are the wages. While you might hear about guys making $1000/day or more, that is for people with rare skillsets or qualifications on very specific contracts… With a good reputation, skills, and a decent work ethic you can make pretty good blue collar money.
