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The Daily Insight

How much do military contractors make in Afghanistan?

Author

James Williams

Published Mar 27, 2026

Some surveys peg-starting salaries for positions in Iraq at $91,000 and $99,000 in Afghanistan. It is not uncommon to find opportunities paying well over $100,000 in base pay alone.

Do military contractors work with the military?

Private military contractors are normally employed only in defensive roles and are only expected to engage in combat if attacked. They are not generally used for offensive military operations, so the term “mercenary” may not be strictly appropriate for what they do.

What do military contractors do in Afghanistan?

The Afghan security forces rely on these contractors to maintain their equipment, manage supply chains and train their military and police to operate the advanced equipment that the United States has bought for them.

What is the point of private military contractors?

While PMCs often provide services to train or supplement official armed forces in service of governments, they can also be employed by private companies to provide bodyguards for key staff or protection of company premises, especially in hostile territories.

Nevertheless, most contractors earn between $300 and $750 a day, or between $9,000 and $22,500 per month.

Are military contractors considered military?

The term “contractor” does not refer to military servicemembers, civilian DOD career employees, or civilian political appointees.

How many private military contractors are in Afghanistan?

The Department of Defense currently employs more than 16,000 contractors in Afghanistan, of whom 6,147 are U.S. citizens — more than double the remaining U.S. troops.

How many private military contractors have died in Afghanistan?

Christian Miller and others have documented, even their deaths remain unsung, making them a “disposable army.” According to The Washington Post’s Afghanistan Papers, more than 3,814 U.S. contractors have died in that war — while only 2,300 U.S. military personnel have.

How many contractors have died in Afghanistan?

Over 7,000 U.S. service members and over 8,000 contractors have died in the post-9/11 wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere.

Private military contractors (PMCs), also known as defense contractors, provide armed combat or security services to the government and private organizations. Contrary to popular belief, they are not mercenaries. A mercenary is defined as an individual who works only for monetary gain.

Are there still any jobs available in Afghanistan?

March 13, 2019. Jobs in Afghanistan are still available in support of the US military through a number of government agencies and contracting companies. The number is decreasing but still in the tens of thousands.

Are there any US contractors still in Afghanistan?

The US plans to continue supporting the Afghan military and Air Force. Since the bulk of the maintenance for these armed forces is performed by US contractors, there’s a good chance the Pentagon will justify a continued presence of private contractors.

What kind of jobs did John Lynch have in Afghanistan?

In a war-torn country, Lynch worked many different jobs, from security contractor to aid worker. With a strong military foundation, he developed a unique perspective on the Afghan people that many never have the privilege of seeing — even those who have spent years at war there.

Is there a constant force management level in Afghanistan?

According to DoD reports: A constant Force Management Level (FML) is leading to a relatively stable number of contractors. Security concerns may lead to a decrease in local national contract employees. Contractor footprint may increase with pending drawdown of FML if requirements are not reduced.