Originally Posted by
papajuliet
Some quick research shows ( in the book The Paladins by John James ) per annum pay scales in 1938 as follows......
corporal observer £164
sergeant observer £200
sergeant pilot £226
flight sergeant pilot £273
pilot officer £264
flying officer £331
flight lieutenant £428
squadron leader £562
wing commander £660
Presumably there was some increase in the war years but I think it shows a fair picture.
I have a recollection (perhaps erroneous) that officers had to buy their own uniforms, sergeants not. Perhaps that is still the case? Anyway, it means the financial differences were in practice less than they seemed.