While the USPHS Commissioned Corps is not an armed service, Public Health Service officers enjoy many of the same benefits as their counterparts in the uniformed services.
Your starting base pay as a Public Health Service officer is competitive with industry starting salaries and increases with promotions and years of service.
Total compensation varies depending on factors such as education and training, professional experience, and geographic location of assignment. While it is somewhat difficult to compare your take-home pay with someone in the private sector, your base pay, coupled with a generous assortment of nontaxable income and benefits, provides a very competitive compensation package that grows with years of service and promotions.
For more information regarding compensation please refer to the Regular Military Compensation (RMC) Calculator. Compensation information from the RMC does not include special pay that you may be eligible for upon call to active duty.
Health Professions Special Pays (HPSP)
If you are a healthcare professional serving as an officer in the Public Health Service, you enjoy a wide range of opportunities and financial incentives. HPSP is available if you choose to serve full-time on Active Duty or part time in the Ready Reserve.
Active Duty Rates:
Accession Bonus (AB), Critical Wartime Skills Accession Bonus (CWS-AB) (Signing Bonus)
Board Certification Incentive Pay (BCIP)
Retention Bonus (RB)
Incentive Pay (IP)
Assignment Pay (AP):
The USPHS Commissioned Corps understands the financial burden of an education. Certain Federal agencies may offer loan repayment and other educational and family support programs to you as a Public Health Service officer.
The Indian Health Service awards up to $40,000 in loan repayment to health professionals in exchange for at least two years of service in health facilities serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Learn more
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) offers select medical professionals $60,000 in loan repayment in exchange for two years of service at a community-based site in a high-need health professional shortage area. Recipients must apply to and accept a position at an NHSC site. Learn more
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Program provides federal loan repayment in exchange for two years of service practicing epidemiology at the CDC or with state/local health departments. The repayment amount is based on availability of funds. Learn more
The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program is a selective program that helps alleviate the critical shortage of registered nurses currently experienced by certain types of healthcare facilities by helping nurses working at them to repay their student loans. Learn more
In addition, as a Public Health Service officer you may have access to the educational benefits provided in the Post-9/11 GI Bill if you have not used the bill previously. After 90 days of active duty service, you are eligible to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Learn more
As a Public Health Service officer, you and your family are covered by a comprehensive managed service healthcare program plan called TRICARE that provides medical and dental care at little or no cost.
Officers and their families receive medical and dental care at little or no cost through TRICARE. Coverage begins on the first day of service. Learn more
Visit TRICARE Health Plans to view different health plan options offered through TRICARE. Your healthcare benefits include:
As a Public Health Service officer, you’re eligible for life insurance, retirement benefits and more.
Work-life balance is an important component of serving in the USPHS Commissioned Corps.
As a Public Health Service officer, you will receive:
Learn about other benefits such as tax-free housing, meal allowances, clinical practice liability coverage, relocation expense reimbursement and more.