Commissioned Corps Compensation and Examples
Compensation varies depending on factors such as grade/rank, years of training
and experience (T&E) in your profession, base-pay entry date, specialty training
received, geographic location of the duty station, and whether or not the employee
has a spouse and/or children. Please use the pay tables at http://www.dod.mil/militarypay/index.html 
along with the zip code of the duty station you are considering
and the paycheck examples at the bottom of this webpage to estimate pay.
Dentists: The minimum starting pay grade/rank for a dentist
in the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps is 0-3 or Lieutenant.
Dental graduates receive eight years of T&E credit for education leading
to the DDS or DMD degree regardless of how many years it actually took to obtain
that degree.
Dental Hygienists: The minimum starting pay grade/rank for a dental hygienist in the PHS Commissioned Corps is O-2 or Lieutenant Junior Grade. Dental Hygiene graduates receive four years of T&E credit for education leading to his or her bachelor's degree regardless of how many years it actually took to obtain that degree.
- Additional T&E credit is also earned for time spent after receipt of the qualifying degree in degree-related activities.
- Bachelor's degree can be in any major.
Bonuses
All dentists are eligible for both contractual, special-pay bonuses and monthly, special-pay bonuses, which include:
- Accession Bonus (Signing Bonus) — Reporting dentists receive $37,500 to start and $37,500 at the 25th month for a total of $75,000 with a four-year agreement.
- Variable Special Pay (VSP) — Paid monthly, this special pay ranges from $3,000 to $12,000 annually based on years of creditable service.
- Board Certified Pay (BCP) for Dental Specialists — Also paid monthly, this pay ranges from $2,500 to $6,000 annually based on years of creditable service.
- Additional Special Pay (ASP) — Based on a one year contract with annual pay ranging from $10,000 to $15,000 based on years of creditable service.
- Multi-year Retention Bonus (MRB) for Board Eligible Specialists or Advanced General Practice Residents (AGPR) — Depending on the dental officer's specialty training and length of new contracts, annual pay ranges from $13,000 to $50,000.
- Incentive Special Pay (ISP) – (Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons Only) -- $30,000 bonus based on a one year contract.
All contractual bonuses are lump sum payments. ASP and MRB are paid in annual
installments and all special pays are taxable income.
At this time, there are no bonuses for dental hygienists.
Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)
Basic Allowance for Subsistence is a non-taxable, monthly allowance payable
to all officers at the same rate regardless of rank. More>
- Officers: $202.76/month
Basic Allowances for Housing (BAH)
For officers stationed within the Continental United States (CONUS), including
Alaska, BAH is a monthly allowance payable to all officers that provides compensation
for housing rental, renter's insurance and utilities. For more detailed information
and to find out your possible monthly allowance in your state, please go to Basic
Allowance for Housing , and search by zip code.
Cost of Living Allowance (COLA)
Another form of allowance, COLA, is a non-taxable, monthly allowance for duty
stations in higher cost areas. The majority of the locations eligible for this
allowance are located overseas. Alaska is considered overseas and qualifies for
COLA. The allowance is determined by the officer's permanent duty station zip
code, grade and number of dependents. To do a rate query of COLA, click
here .
Requirements
Applicants entering IHS through the US Public Health Service (USPHS) as a Commissioned Corps officer must meet the following requirements:
- US Citizenship
- Medical Physical
- Minimum Two-Year Commitment
- Must Be Under 44 at Time of Commission
- Registered Hygienists: Bachelors Degree and Valid License From Any US State
- Dentists: DDS or DMD and Valid License From Any US State
Pay Tables
To help better understand how the IHS determines employee compensation levels, we have provided several examples unique to each situation and based on a number of different factors. Please note that your compensation will be determined based on your own unique variables, including experience level, duty location and number of dependents.
- Housing Allowance, COLA and Subsistence Allowance are non-taxable income.
- Housing Allowance is determined by entering the zip code of the duty station,
rank and number of dependents here .
- Alaska is considered overseas and qualifies for COLA. To figure COLA, go
to the Rate Query Pages and enter location, rank, number of dependents and number
of years of active service duty credit to date.
- All examples below are figured with dependents.
Pay Tables Examples for Commissioned Officers:
- New Dentist Years 1 & 2 -Claremore, OK
- New Dentist Years 3 & 4 - Claremore, OK
- Experienced Dentist - Claremore, OK
- New Dentist Years 1 & 2 - Bethel, AK
- New Dentist Years 3 & 4 - Bethel, AK
- Experienced Dentist - Bethel, AK
- New Dental Hygienist - Bethel, AK
- Experienced Dental Hygienist - Bethel, AK
- New Dental Hygienist - Ft. Defiance, AZ
- Experienced Dental Hygienist - Ft. Defiance, AZ
ESTIMATED AVERAGE PAY FOR A DENTIST AT CLAREMORE, OK:
First Four Years: $95,460.48. If IHSLRP is received, add
$24,000 = $119,460.48.
| Rank O-3 (less than two years)* | 1st year | 2nd year (3% COLA over 1st year base-estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $3,407.40 | $3,509.62 |
| Variable Special Pay | $250.00 | $250.00 |
| #Housing Allowance (74017) | $1032.00 | $1062.96 |
| #Subsistence Allowance | $202.76 | $208.84 |
| MONTHLY TOTAL: | $4,892.16 X 12 months $58,705.92 |
$5,031.42 X 12 months $60,377.04 |
| Additional Special Pay (one-year contract) | +$10,000.00 | +$10,000.00 |
| SUB TOTAL: | $68,705.92 | $70,377.04 |
| Ascension Bonus (four-year contract) |
+$37,500.00 | +$0 |
| TOTAL: | $106,205.92 | $70,377.04 |
# Non-Taxable Allowance
* Years of Commission Corps Service
| Rank O-3 (over two years)* | 3rd year (3 % COLA calculated each year since 2008 base) |
4th year (3% COLA over 3rd year estimated base) |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $4,098.04 | $4,556.02 |
| Variable Special Pay | $250.00 | $583.33 |
| #Housing Allowance (74017) | $1094.85 | $1127.69 |
| #Subsistence Allowance | $215.10 | $221.55 |
| MONTHLY TOTAL: | $5,657.99 X 12 months $67,895.88 |
$6,488.59 X 12 months $77,863.08 |
| Additional Special Pay (one-year contract) | +$10,000.00 | +$12,000.00 |
| SUB TOTAL: | $77,895.88 | $89,863.08 |
| Ascension Bonus (four-year contract) |
+$37,500.00 | +$0 |
| TOTAL: | $115,395.88 | $89,863.08 |
# Non-Taxable Allowance
* Years of Commission Corps Service
| Rank | O-4 (*five years) | O-5 (*10 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $4,852.50 | $6,113.10 |
| Variable Special Pay | $583.33 | $1,000.00 |
| #Housing Allowance (74017) | $1,205.00 | $1,327.00 |
| #Subsistence Allowance | $202.76 | $202.76 |
| MONTHLY TOTAL: | $6,843.59 X 12 months $82,123.08 |
$8,642.86 X 12 months $103,714.32 |
| Additional Special Pay | +$12,000.00 | +$15,000.00 |
| WITHOUT AGPR SUB TOTAL: | $94,123.08 | $118,714.32 |
| If AGPR w/ four-year contract, then annual bonus $40K |
+$40,000.00 | +$40,000.00 |
| TOTAL: | $134,123.08 | $158,714.32 |
# Non-Taxable Allowance
* Years of Commission Corps Service
ESTIMATED AVERAGE PAY FOR A DENTIST AT BETHEL, AK:
First Four Years: $122,915.76. If IHSLRP is received, add
$24K = $146,915.76.
| Rank O-3 (less than two years)* | 1st year | 2nd year (3% COLA over 1st year base-estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $3,407.40 | $3,509.62 |
| Variable Special Pay | $250.00 | $250.00 |
| #Housing Allowance (99559) | $1,905.00 | $1,962.15 |
| #COLA (two dependants) | $1,387.75 | $1,429.38 |
| #Subsistence Allowance | $202.76 | $208.84 |
| MONTHLY TOTAL: | $7,152.91 X 12 months $85,834.92 |
$7,359.99 X 12 months $88,319.88 |
| Additional Special Pay (one-year contract) | +$10,000.00 | +$10,000.00 |
| SUB TOTAL: | $95,834.92 | $98,319.88 |
| Ascension Bonus (four-year contract) |
+$37,500.00 | +$0 |
| TOTAL: | $127,334.92 | $98,319.88 |
# Non-Taxable Allowance
* Years of Commission Corps Service
| Rank O-3 (over two years)* |
3rd year (3 % COLA calculated each year since 2008 base |
4th year (3% COLA over 3rd year estimated base) |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $4,098.04 | $4,556.02 |
| Variable Special Pay | $250.00 | $583.33 |
| #Housing Allowance (99559) | $2,021.01 | $2,081.64 |
| #COLA (two dependants) | $1,567.65 | $1,614.68 |
| #Subsistence Allowance | $215.10 | $221.55 |
| MONTHLY TOTAL: | $8,151.80 X 12 months $97,821.60 |
$9,057.22 X 12 months $108,686.64 |
| Additional Special Pay (one-year contract) | +$10,000.00 | +$12,000.00 |
| SUB TOTAL: | $107,821.60 | $120,686.64 |
| Ascension Bonus (four-year contract) |
+$37,500.00 | +$0 |
| TOTAL: | $145,321.60 | $120,686.64 |
# Non-Taxable Allowance
* Years of Commission Corps Service
| Rank | O-4 (*five years) | O-5 (*10 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $4,852.50 | $6,113.10 |
| Variable Special Pay | $583.33 | $1,000.00 |
| #Housing Allowance (99559) | $2,161.00 | $2,341.00 |
| #COLA (two dependants) | $1,696.14 | $1,973.69 |
| #Subsistence Allowance | $202.76 | $202.76 |
| MONTHLY TOTAL: | $9,495.73 X 12 months $113,948.76 |
$11,630.55 X 12 months $139,566.60 |
| Additional Special Pay | +$12,000.00 | +$15,000.00 |
| WITHOUT AGPR SUB TOTAL: | $125,948.76 | $154,566.60 |
| If AGPR w/ four-year contract, then annual bonus $40K |
+$40,000.00 | +$40,000.00 |
| TOTAL: | $165,948.76 | $194,566.60 |
# Non-Taxable Allowance
* Years of Commission Corps Service
| Rank O-2 (less than two years)* |
1st year | 2nd year (3% cola-estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $2,943.90 | $3,032.22 |
| #Housing Allowance (99559) | $1,743.00 | $1,795.29 |
| #COLA (two dependants) | $1,273.19 | $1,311.39 |
| #Subsistence Allowance | $202.76 | $208.84 |
| MONTHLY TOTAL: | $6,162.85 X 12 months |
$6,347.74 X 12 months |
| TOTAL: | $73,954.20 | $76,172.88 |
# Non-Taxable Allowance
* Years of Commission Corps Service
| Rank | O-3 (*five years) | O-4 (*10 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $4,545.60 | $5,799.00 |
| #Housing Allowance (99559) | $1,905.00 | $2,161.00 |
| #COLA (two dependants) | $1,630.04 | $1,898.81 |
| #Subsistence Allowance | $202.76 | $202.76 |
| MONTHLY TOTAL: | $8,283.40 X 12 months |
$10,061.57 X 12 months |
| TOTAL: | $99,400.80 | $120,738.84 |
# Non-Taxable Allowance
* Years of Commission Corps Service
| Rank O-2 (less than two years)* | 1st year | 2nd year (3% cola-estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $2,943.90 | $3,032.22 |
| #Housing Allowance (86504) | $956.00 | $984.68 |
| #Subsistence Allowance | $202.76 | $208.84 |
| MONTHLY TOTAL: | $4,102.66 X 12 months |
$4,225.74 X 12 months |
| TOTAL: | $49,231.92 | $50,708.88 |
# Non-Taxable Allowance
* Years of Commission Corps Service
| Rank | O-3 (*5 years) | O-4 (*10 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $4,545.60 | $5,799.00 |
| #Housing Allowance (86504) | $1,077.00 | $1,203.00 |
| #Subsistence Allowance | $202.76 | $202.76 |
| MONTHLY TOTAL: | $5,825.36 X 12 months |
$7,204.76 X 12 months |
| TOTAL: | $69,904.32 | $86,457.12 |
# Non-Taxable Allowance
* Years of Commission Corps Service
