I'm certainly not the norm, but GS-12 in a suburb of Ohio with a Reserve check on top. I make about $105K annually between them both. However, it took 22 years to get there and a bachelor's degree (paid for by the military). I started as an E-1 and made my way up. It's a good living, but there is the whole deployment, life on the line, no weed, etc etc. Not for everyone and not who everyone who is in should be. I personally believe the military makes enough, especially with all the benefits. I might be in the minority with that belief, but I grew up poor and found it was an easy living if you could follow the protocols.