Modest annual salary of King’s Guard soldiers is revealed – with trainees starting on minimum wage

• Trainees with the King’s Guard start on as little as £18,687 a year
• READ MORE: Adorable moment King’s Guard melts hearts by delighting young man petting his horse

A military enthusiast has claimed he knows how much members of the King’s Guard earn as an annual salary – saying the lowly amount might shock those assuming the soldiers earned more. 

British TikToker @howmuchthough gave his followers a breakdown of different ranks – and many were surprised to be told that trainees start on as little as £18,687 a year.

The creator explained that to get into the King’s Guard, you need to be aged between 16 and 35and-a-half and be physically fit – but ‘there are no stated education requirements’.

Training would kick off with a course of need-to-know basics, like weapons-handling, map reading and drills at The Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire. 

Then, soldiers join their Foot Guards Battalion, where there is a greater focus on mission-specific training and State Ceremonial duties. 

TikToker @howmuchthough gave his followers a breakdown of different ranks – and many were surprised to be told that trainees start on as little as £18, 687

The social media creator said soldiers start on a whoppingly low £18,687. After being promoted to Guardsman – equivalent to Private – this increases to £23,496. 

The next step up, according to @howmuchthough, at Lance Corporal, will earn £34,497 and following on, Lance Sergeant will get £36,728.

Finally, he said a Sergeant will get £41,374 and a Colour Sergeant, £46,815. 

‘Bro, that’s so little,’ one commenter said. 

‘That doesn’t seem like a lot,’ a second added.

‘Pathetic pay,’ another slammed, while one penned that they’re ‘basically paid nothing’. 

However, some people pointed out that there are other financial perks to consider in the job.  

‘Considering they generally have their housing paid for and oftentimes food payed for for the most part, it’s not terrible,’ one comment read. 

How Much Do The King’s Guard Make #kingsguard #queensguard #royalguard #police #army #howmuchthough

The social media creator said soldiers start on a whoppingly low £18,687. After being promoted to Guardsman – equivalent to Private – this increases to £23,496. Stock image used

Social media users hit out at the ‘pathetic’ pay they felt soldiers start off on as they commented on the TikTok

The original TikToker also claimed that if you don’t make it to Lance Sergeant within 12 years, you’re booted out of the King’s Guard – but this doesn’t appear to be confirmed. 

The British Army website doesn’t confirm the salaries – other than stating that a minimum of £18, 687 will be earned during training and that £23,496 is the pay after this is complete. 

However, it also promises ‘significant benefits’, including subsidised meals, low cost accommodation and free medical and dental care.

Soldiers also don’t tend to pay for food or accommodation when they are deployed on exercise or operations. 

MailOnline has reached out to the Ministry of Defence for comment and clarification of details.  

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