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How does basic pay for an E-4 compare between National Guard (part-time) and active duty full-time?
Executive Summary
Basic monthly base pay for an E-4 is set by the Department of Defense pay tables and is fundamentally the same number whether the member is in the National Guard (part‑time) or on active duty full‑time — the difference is how and when that base pay is paid and how part‑time drill periods convert into pay. Drill pay for Guard/Reserve members is calculated as 1/30th of the monthly active‑duty base pay per drill period, so a four‑period drill weekend equals roughly 4/30ths of the active‑duty monthly rate; state active‑duty employment can pay very differently and sometimes substantially more depending on state law [1] [2] [3].
1. Why the headline “same base pay” surprises people — the mechanics behind the numbers
DoD basic pay charts list identical monthly base pay values for a given rank and years of service whether a person is in the Guard or on active duty; Guard members receive the identical base‑pay rate when they are serving on federal active duty, and the Guard’s part‑time compensation is derived by prorating that same monthly rate into drill increments (1/30th per drill period) [4] [1]. Public pay charts and fact sheets published in 2025 reaffirm that the nominal base pay table values do not differ by component; the practical difference arises because a typical Guard member performs part‑time duty (monthly drills and annual training) rather than a full month of active duty service, so annualized earnings diverge even though the underlying pay table is shared [2] [5]. Understanding prorated drill conversion is essential to comparing take‑home dollars.
2. Drill math: what an E‑4 actually earns on a weekend and annually if part‑time
Drill pay is straightforward arithmetic: each drill period is 1/30th of the monthly active‑duty base pay for that rank and longevity, so a four‑period weekend equals 4/30ths of that monthly rate. For 2025 example figures published for E‑4s, 1 drill period can be around $100–$110 for a low‑seniority E‑4 and a drill weekend about $400–$440, yielding a part‑time annual base‑pay sum that is a fraction of the full active‑duty annual pay unless the Guardsman is activated to full time or augments with additional duty days and special pays [1] [6]. This arithmetic explains why some sources report monthly figures like $2,515–$3,558 for E‑4s by years of service (monthly base pay if on active duty), while Guard drill pay references convert those same monthly figures into per‑period earnings [6] [5]. Drill‑to‑annual comparisons require counting number of drill weekends, weeks of annual training, and any active‑duty orders.
3. When Guard pay can match or exceed active duty — state active duty and activations
Guard members called to federal active duty receive identical basic pay and allowances to active‑duty counterparts; when activated they are paid the same monthly base rate plus applicable allowances [2]. Separately, several states pay Guard members on state active duty under different statutes and formulas; state pay can be higher than federal daily rates and sometimes includes local allowances — Maryland’s program is an example where state active‑duty pay was reported substantially above federal rates (about $180/day vs. $97.16/day in one 2024 example), illustrating that state orders can materially alter a Guardsman’s pay picture [3]. These state variations mean comparisons must specify whether the question concerns federal part‑time drill pay, federal active‑duty pay, or state active‑duty pay.
4. Total compensation vs. base pay — allowances, bonuses and non‑cash benefits change the story
Base pay is only part of total compensation. Active‑duty servicemembers routinely receive Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) when eligible; Guard members on typical part‑time status generally do not receive BAH for drill weekends, but when on federal active‑duty orders they do receive the same allowances as active‑duty personnel [7] [2]. Special pays, hazardous duty pay, and bonuses depend on duty status and orders, and the Guard’s annual cash picture can vary widely depending on whether the member supplements part‑time duty with additional orders, state pay, or mobilizations. A straight base‑pay comparison without allowances and activation context understates the practical differences.
5. What to tell someone asking “how do they compare?” — a short practical answer
Tell the asker that the base‑pay rates themselves are the same for an E‑4 across Guard and active duty because they come from the same DoD pay tables; the practical pay difference is that Guard members are paid by drill period (1/30th per period) unless activated, so a typical part‑time Guardsman earns a fraction of full active‑duty monthly pay unless ordered to active duty or receiving substantial state pay [4] [1] [3]. For precise comparison, compile current DoD pay charts for the E‑4 grade by years of service, multiply the monthly rate by 4/30ths for a drill weekend and multiply expected drill weekends and annual training days to estimate annual base‑pay income, then add any state active‑duty or allowances if applicable [5] [1].