# 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.

- Tool: [NS Allowance Calculator](https://toolsg.com/en/ns-allowance-calculator)
- Language: en (available: en, zh)
- Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-30
- Source site: ToolSG — a planning guide, not official or financial advice. Cite the agencies listed under Sources.

## Key figures at a glance

| Fact | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Starting rank allowance, Recruit or Private | $715 a month — SAF and SCDF; SPF Special Constable also $715. | [CMPB](https://www.cmpb.gov.sg/life-in-ns/saf/service-benefits-and-welfare/monthly-allowance) |
| Vocation allowance, tier 1 | $75 a month — Service and technical vocations in the SAF; recruits and support roles in the SCDF. | [CMPB](https://www.cmpb.gov.sg/life-in-ns/saf/service-benefits-and-welfare/monthly-allowance) |
| 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. | [CMPB](https://www.cmpb.gov.sg/life-in-ns/saf/service-benefits-and-welfare/monthly-allowance) |
| Allowance structure | Rank allowance plus vocation allowance — Combat allowance was replaced by vocation allowance on 1 Mar 2020. | [CMPB](https://www.cmpb.gov.sg/life-in-ns/saf/service-benefits-and-welfare/monthly-allowance) |

## 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](https://toolsg.com/en/take-home-pay-calculator) — pay after CPF.
- [Government support schemes](https://toolsg.com/en/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](https://www.cmpb.gov.sg/life-in-ns/saf/service-benefits-and-welfare/monthly-allowance) — Rank and vocation allowance for SAF NSFs (updated 24 Jul 2025).
- [CMPB — SPF monthly allowance](https://cmpb.gov.sg/life-in-ns/spf/service-benefits-and-welfare/monthly-allowance) — Rank, vocation and meal allowance for SPF NSFs (updated 24 Jul 2025).
- [CMPB — SCDF monthly allowance](https://www.cmpb.gov.sg/life-in-ns/scdf/service-benefits-and-welfare/monthly-allowance) — Rank, vocation and meal allowance for SCDF NSFs (updated 24 Jul 2025).