Don’t let anyone BS you – China now has a larger Army and Navy and actually outspends us now…. The facts.

American soldiers get paid significantly more than Chinese PLA soldiers in nominal US dollars, with the percentage difference varying by rank but often in the range of 1,000–1,500% higher (or 11–16 times more) for entry-level/junior enlisted positions. This is based on basic monthly pay figures in early 2026, using current exchange rates (approximately 1 USD ≈ 6.91 CNY).Entry-Level / Conscript Soldiers (Most Common Comparison)

• US military E-1 (entry-level enlisted): $2,407 USD per month (basic pay for 2026; slightly lower at ~$2,226 for the first 4 months, but standard figure used here).
• Chinese PLA conscript/new soldier: Reports from recent years (2021–2025 sources, including PLA recruitment info) indicate more than 1,000 CNY per month (often cited as ~1,000–1,500 CNY, or roughly $145–$220 USD). Some analyses peg it around $220 USD/month for a private equivalent.
• Percentage difference: US pay is about 11–16 times higher than Chinese entry-level pay.
  • Using $2,407 USD vs. $220 USD → US is ~994% more (or about 10.9 times higher, meaning ~994% more than Chinese).
  • Using lower-end Chinese $145 USD → US is **1,560% more** (15.6 times higher).
  • Rough average: Americans get paid around 1,000–1,400% more (11–15x) at entry level.

Mid-Level Enlisted (e.g., Sergeant/NCO Equivalent)

• US E-5/E-6: Roughly $3,300–$4,800 USD/month (depending on years of service).
• Chinese PLA sergeant/NCO: Older data suggests ~7,000–8,000 CNY/month (~$1,000–$1,150 USD), though pay has increased somewhat.
• Percentage difference: US is typically 200–400% more (3–5 times higher), narrowing somewhat at higher ranks but still substantial.

Higher Ranks (Officers)

• US junior officers: $4,000–$6,000+ USD/month starting, higher for seniors.
• Chinese PLA colonel/senior: Around 20,000+ CNY/month (~$2,900 USD or more post-raises).
• Percentage difference: US often 100–300% more (2–4 times), but the gap is smaller than for juniors.

Key Caveats

• These are nominal/basic pay in USD—no adjustments for purchasing power (PPP), where Chinese pay goes further domestically due to lower living costs.
• US figures are basic pay only; total compensation includes large non-taxable allowances (housing ~$1,000–$3,000+/month depending on location, food ~$400+, health/education benefits), pushing effective total comp much higher (often 50–100%+ above basic).
• PLA pay includes some allowances (especially hardship postings), bonuses, and one-time incentives (e.g., for volunteers in remote areas), but overall personnel costs remain far lower.
• Exact current PLA figures aren’t publicly transparent (China doesn’t release detailed pay tables like the US DFAS), so estimates draw from recruitment reports, defense analyses (e.g., US DoD reports), and media (often from 2021–2025, with some 40% raises noted in prior years).
• The disparity helps explain why China maintains a larger force (~2M active) on a budget that, while growing, allocates less proportionally to personnel vs. equipment.

In raw US dollar terms, American soldiers earn dramatically more—often 10x+ at the bottom ranks, dropping to several times more at senior levels. 

Key Numbers (2026 Estimates)

• China (People’s Liberation Army – PLA):
  • Active duty: 2,035,000
  • Reserves: 510,000
  • Core total: 2,545,000
• United States:
  • Active duty: ~1,333,000
  • Reserves / National Guard: ~799,500
  • Core total: ~2,133,000

Quick Takeaways

• China has ~53% more active-duty personnel than the US (the world’s largest standing army).
• The US has ~57% more reserves, reflecting a different force structure that relies more on part-time/ready reserves.
• China’s core uniformed force is still larger overall.

Important context on “all Chinese military forces”:
The chart above covers only the PLA (the main armed forces). China also maintains:

• People’s Armed Police (PAP): ~1.5 million (paramilitary force for internal security, border control, and coast guard duties).
• People’s Militia: Millions more (estimated 8+ million part-time, mostly civilians who train periodically).

This gives China a much larger overall mobilizable manpower pool than the US (no direct equivalent to the militia scale). US figures already fold in most comparable elements (e.g., Coast Guard ~50k active is sometimes counted separately but is small).Sources: Global Firepower 2026 Index, IISS Military Balance 2025, US DoD 2025 China Military Power Report, and official FY2026 US end-strength authorizations. These are the most widely cited “suspected” / publicly assessed figures—China does not release fully transparent breakdowns.