Somewhere in the $17-21 range for a private.
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Somewhere in the $17-21 range for a private.
I had ~$22 stuck in my mind for some reason, I can't remember where I read that thoughand thought I might be thinking of CW pay rates instead... ;) In any case they were not cheap for your average Joe.
As I recall, the rate was $21 a month until @ 1933-35, when it was reduced (along with all military government pay) because of the Depression to $17.85.
I have a 1940 or 1941 Soldier's Guide and I remember it listed pay rates. I do not remember them specifically and am away from home, but I remember that there was a monthly pay incentive for any additional skill/rating that a soldier had.
My dad (Navy, 43-45) used to tell me he'd keep $5 of his monthly pay and send the rest home to his mom & dad. That always impressed upon me in different ways. He'd say there wasn't much to do with the money in the middle of the Atlantic, anyway. Shore leave was a different story - in fact, right after my dad died, I found a telegram he'd sent his dad in '44 telling him he had a few days leave in NYC coming up, and asked if he'd wire him five bucks c/o the hotel he'd be staying at. It's a cool keepsake.
Rick has it right. They actually reduced pay due to the Depressin, as cash grew in value. Deflation, instead of inflation.