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Military soldiers often take on dangerous roles that put their safety and well-being at risk.
To recognize and compensate these individuals, the U.S. military provides Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay (HDIP) and Section 351 Hazardous Duty Pay programs.
These additional pay categories offer financial incentives for performing hazardous duties, facing imminent danger, or operating in hostile environments.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of hazard pay for military members by hazardous duty, type, and monthly pay rate for 2025:
Table of Contents
2025 Military Hazardous Duty Pay Chart
Hazardous Duty | Type | Pay Rate (per month) |
---|---|---|
Parachute Duty | Static Line | $150 |
Military Free Fall | $225 | |
Flight Deck Duty | $150 | |
Demolition Duty | $150 | |
Experimental Stress Duty | $150 | |
Toxic Fuels (or Propellants) Duty | $150 | |
Toxic Pesticides Duty | $150 | |
Dangerous Viruses (or Bacteria) Lab Duty | S150 | |
Chemical Munitions Duty | $150 | |
Maritime Visit, Board, Search, Seizure (VBSS) Duty | $150 | |
Polar Region Flight Operations Duty | $150 | |
Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support (WMDCS) Team | $150 |
What is Hostile Fire Pay (HFP)?
Rate: $225 per month (not prorated).
HFP is available to service members who:
- Perform duties in hostile fire areas.
- Are exposed to hostile fire events.
- Are on duty during a month when a hostile event occurs, putting them at grave risk.
- Are killed, injured, or wounded by hostile fire.
Note: HFP cannot be received simultaneously with Imminent Danger Pay (IDP).
What is Imminent Danger Pay (IDP)?
Rate: $225 per month (prorated).
IDP is offered to service members who face:
- Threats of physical harm or imminent danger due to civil unrest, war, terrorism, or similar conditions in foreign areas.
Note: IDP cannot be received simultaneously with HFP.
What is Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay (HDIP)?
HDIP compensates service members who volunteer for duties involving inherent dangers or physical risks.
The monthly rate varies based on the specific duty performed and is prorated for the duration of qualifying service.
Key HDIP Categories:
Flying Duty
- Crew Members: $110–$250 per month for frequent and regular aerial flights.
- Non-Crew Members: Up to $150 per month for aerial flights outside crew roles.
Parachute Duty
- $150/month for static line jumps.
- $225/month for military freefall operations.
- Requires a parachutist designation and at least one jump every 3 months.
Demolition Duty
- $150/month for tasks involving explosives or disarming hazardous devices.
Experimental Stress Duty
- $150/month for duties as human test subjects in experiments involving acceleration, deceleration, thermal stress, or altitude.
Flight Deck Duty
- $150/month for operations on aircraft carrier flight decks involving launching or recovering aircraft.
Laboratory Duty with Dangerous Viruses or Bacteria
- $150/month for research using hazardous biological agents.
Toxic Pesticide Exposure
- $150/month for frequent exposure during pest control or preventive medicine tasks.
Toxic Fuels and Propellants
- $150/month for servicing aircraft or missiles with toxic substances.
Chemical Munitions Handling
- $150/month for duties involving handling or disarming chemical munitions.
Maritime VBSS Duty (Navy Only)
- $150/month for boarding missions in maritime interdiction operations, requiring at least three missions monthly.
Polar Region Flight Operations
- $150/month for flights and cargo handling in Antarctica or the Arctic Ice-Pack.
Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support (WMDCS)
- $150/month for specialized operations as part of certified WMDCS teams.
Diving Duty
- Up to $240/month for maintaining diving proficiency through frequent and regular dives.
About the Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.
A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.