Ministry of Finance: Salary of young career soldiers in the IDF rose by 10% in a year

The Ministry of Finance published the salary report for the security system for 2023-2024. The salary of young career soldiers in the IDF rose by 17% within two years, reaching 13,845 shekels. The average salary in secret agencies, the Mossad and the Shin Bet, stands at 32,225 shekels. The value of the average budgetary pension for an IDF officer is estimated at nine million shekels. Thousands of new civilians have joined the IDF in intelligence, cyber, and technology roles. Gender pay gaps widened due to combat supplements provided for field positions.

Israel has been in the longest war in its history for nearly three years, placing the security system under increasing demand for manpower: more combatants, technology and intelligence personnel, and longer hours of activity. This occurs alongside ongoing public and political debate regarding the recruitment of ultra-Orthodox youth. The report, published by the Wage and Labor Agreements Division at the Ministry of Finance, details the financial implications of these requirements.

Why did the salary of young IDF soldiers rise?

The average salary of young career soldiers in the IDF rose by 17% over two years, reaching 13,845 shekels in 2024—a 10% increase of which occurred in the last year alone, the sharpest change among all security agencies. This rise is linked to the IDF's 2023-2027 multi-year plan, which emphasizes support for combatants and younger personnel, as well as the temporary increase in combat activity. Despite this rise, it remains the lowest salary in the security system, as these are relatively young soldiers without seniority.

Salary gaps between agencies

Subordinate units, including the Atomic Energy Commission, recorded the highest average salary in the security system at 34,315 shekels, followed by secret agencies (Mossad and Shin Bet) at 32,225 shekels, and the Institute for Biological Research at 31,932 shekels. These gaps stem primarily from high seniority and unique professional training requirements. The average salary in the Israel Police stood at 20,562 shekels, in the IDF (overall average) at 18,756 shekels, and in the Prison Service at 18,889 shekels.

Increase in civilian personnel

The number of civilian IDF employees grew from approximately 6,600 to about 8,000 in 2024, primarily in intelligence, cyber, and technology sectors. This growth is a direct result of wartime needs. Accelerated recruitment led to a decrease in the average employee age from 50 in 2021 to 44 in 2024, and a rise in average salary from 21,800 to 25,700 shekels, supported by a 2024 salary agreement and extensive overtime hours.

Pensions and gender pay gaps

The average budgetary pension for IDF officers is valued at nine million shekels, with an average retirement age of 45 and an average monthly allowance of 20,019 shekels. The report warns of concerns regarding the average pension approaching the target set by the Career Service Law. While the proportion of women in the security system continues to rise—comprising about one-third of career soldiers—gender pay gaps widened slightly in 2024 due to combat supplements in field positions, which remain male-dominated.