NS Allowance Calculator Singapore
Work out an NSF’s monthly allowance from rank and vocation, and the total earned over your full-time National Service.
Rank and vocation allowances differ slightly between the three services.
Your service, rank by rank
Add the months you spend at each rank and vocation tier. The rows start with an example you can replace.
Whole months, up to 60.
NS allowance
| Period | Rank allowance | Vocation allowance | Monthly total | Period total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recruit or Private, 3 months | $715 | $225 | $940 | $2,820 |
| Lance Corporal, 6 months | $740 | $225 | $965 | $5,790 |
| Corporal, 15 months | $790 | $225 | $1,015 | $15,225 |
Rates are the starting rank allowance plus the vocation allowance, as published by CMPB after the 1 July 2025 increase. Meal allowance and reservist (NSman) allowances are not included.
In-depth guide
NS allowance for NSFs: rank and vocation allowance from 1 July 2025
How much a full-time National Serviceman in the SAF, SPF or SCDF receives each month from rank allowance and vocation allowance, with the published rates.
Key figures at a glance
- Starting rank allowance, Recruit or Private
- $715 a month
- SAF and SCDF; SPF Special Constable also $715.
- Source: CMPB
- Vocation allowance, tier 1
- $75 a month
- Service and technical vocations in the SAF; recruits and support roles in the SCDF.
- Source: CMPB
- Vocation allowance, top tier
- $500 a month
- CBRD or EOD, Commando, Naval Diver in the SAF; Police Tactical Trooper in the SPF; fire station and Special Response Unit roles in the SCDF.
- Source: CMPB
- Allowance structure
- Rank allowance plus vocation allowance
- Combat allowance was replaced by vocation allowance on 1 Mar 2020.
- Source: CMPB
How the allowance is made up
A full-time NSF receives a rank allowance for personal upkeep and a vocation allowance for the demands of the vocation. The total NS allowance is the two added together. CMPB lists the starting rank allowance for each rank.
Rank allowance (SAF)
| Enlistees | Specialists | Officers |
|---|---|---|
| Recruit or Private $715 | Specialist Cadet $810 | Officer Cadet $1,010 |
| Lance Corporal $740 | Third Sergeant $1,055 | Second Lieutenant $1,265 |
| Corporal $790 | Second Sergeant $1,160 | Lieutenant $1,455 |
| Corporal First Class $835 | First Sergeant $1,235 |
SCDF ranks run Recruit or Private $715, Lance Corporal $740, Corporal $790, Specialist Cadet $810, Sergeant 1 $1,055, Sergeant 2 $1,160, Officer Cadet $1,010, Second Lieutenant $1,265, Lieutenant $1,455. SPF: Special Constable $715, Special Constable 2 $740, Corporal $790, Sergeant 1 $1,055, Sergeant 2 $1,160, Officer Cadet $1,010, NS Probationary Inspector $1,265, NS Inspector $1,455.
Vocation allowance
| Tier | Monthly | SAF examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $75 | Service and technical vocations |
| 2 | $225 | All combatants except tiers 3 and 4 |
| 3 | $300 | Aircrew, Armour, Guards, Infantry, combat medics, Seagoing |
| 4 | $500 | CBRD or EOD, Commando, Naval Diver |
The SPF and SCDF have their own lists for each tier, shown in the calculator. Police Tactical Troopers and fire station firefighters are in tier 4.
Worked examples
- SAF Recruit in a service vocation: $715 + $75 = $790 a month.
- SAF Corporal in Infantry (tier 3): $790 + $300 = $1,090.
- 3 months as Recruit, 6 as Lance Corporal and 15 as Corporal, all tier 2: $2,820 + $5,790 + $15,225 = $23,835 over 24 months.
Not included
Meal allowance in the SPF and SCDF ($8, $16 or $24 for a tour of duty of 6, 12 or 24 hours, after training) and allowances paid to NSmen in reservist.
Related tools
- Take-home pay calculator — pay after CPF.
- Government support schemes — what you may receive.
Frequently asked questions
How much is NS allowance?
A Recruit or Private gets $715 a month in rank allowance plus a vocation allowance of $75 to $500, for example $790 in total for a Recruit in a service vocation. Allowance rises with rank.
What is the vocation allowance?
$75, $225, $300 or $500 a month, depending on your vocation tier.
Did NS allowance go up in 2025?
Yes. The rates in this calculator apply from the increase on 1 July 2025.
Is meal allowance included?
No. SPF and SCDF NSFs also get $8, $16 or $24 per tour of duty of 6, 12 or 24 hours after training.
Does this cover reservist pay?
No. It covers full-time NSFs only.
Sources
- CMPB — SAF monthly allowance — Rank and vocation allowance for SAF NSFs (updated 24 Jul 2025).
- CMPB — SPF monthly allowance — Rank, vocation and meal allowance for SPF NSFs (updated 24 Jul 2025).
- CMPB — SCDF monthly allowance — Rank, vocation and meal allowance for SCDF NSFs (updated 24 Jul 2025).
This guide explains published rules in plain language. It is not financial, legal or official advice — rules change, so confirm with the agency linked above before you commit.