Polaris,
Let's go with the USNA 43K and USMMA 55K.
The fact still stands an O1 with less than 2 yrs will make about 33K, the other 10K is considered ALLOWANCE, thus not taxable...i.e. BAH and BAS. Now that changes their 4/15 IRS amount.
Additionally, they have sea pay, jump pay, flight pay, etc.
Plus as I illustrated if that USMMA grad making 55K is in NJ, going out of Bayonne, remember the Navy grad stationed in NJ is making 30K not taxable in Housing, beating them out by 20K. Additionally, if the USNA grads are a MD resident on AD, NJ will not tax their base pay of 33K, even if they bought a home in NJ, they pay RE taxes for the home like the USMMA grad, but their paycheck won't have NJ taxes deducted. MD won't tax them state either. However, NJ will tax the USMMA grad that resides in NJ, because according to them he is a NJ resident and working in NJ.
Like I said they may get paid less, but they keep more money in their pocket come April. Thousands more.
Next,
Polaris said:
USMMA graduates about 200 students a year, however 79 individuals posting is a very small sample
Wrong! It is the same sample size as any SA, That is how stats work. They took a pool of 25-30% of every grad. I understand that IYO every SA grad gets the same pay, but that is not how stats work. It is not the number amount when it comes to pool size, it is the percentage of the pool. In this case, it is the correct sample for the study. They took 25-30% of every SA. USMMA is an SA. They didn't take 500 USMA grads, they took 25-30%.
Military members pay varies, all over the place. Assigned to Pensacola your BAH as an O1 is @1K a month, or about 50% compared to your peer at the Pentagon.
Jump out of perfectly good planes your pay varies. Go out to sea, it varies. Live on base/post it varies. Have a spouse it varies.
Now can you say the same thing if they are hired by a civilian company? Do they get a tax break by the Fed and the State? Do they get free medical care? How much would it cost for 400K life insurance every month.
Finally, I do read links, and I think you shouldn't have posted this one:
http://www.indeed.com/salary/U.S.-Merchant-Marine-Academy.html
Average U.S. Merchant Marine Academy salaries for job postings nationwide are 11% lower than average salaries for all job postings nationwide.
You just hurt your argument.
Same site.
Average Navy officer salaries for job postings nationwide are 4% higher than average salaries for all job postings nationwide.
Apples with Apples using your links. If I do the math, a USMMA according their site would have a 15% differential.
I am not trying to attack the USMMA, I think it is a great asset. I am trying to illustrate that if you are going to defend and slam a sister SA regarding pay after graduation, as you said I made many assumptions, so did you.
We are here to help and inform. Many people, including you missed that 11% comment, they saw the amount they are paid, nothing more. They did not place everything into the equation. IMPO it is not the amount you are paid, it is the amount you get to keep in your pocket. I think for you, you belong to the it is the amount you are paid, and not the amount you get to keep in your pocket. JMPO.