For soldiers of the Grenztruppen, military pay was based on rank, leadership position, and time in military service.  They also received extra pay for serving in the Grenztruppen. Soldiers in the Grenztruppen and NVA could also receive monetary awards to supplement their basic pay. The NVA annually earmarked about 20 million DM to be distributed to soldiers of all ranks  who demonstrated exemplary job performance. When divided among the various commands, each regimental commander ended up controlling between 100,000 – 200,000 DM and had complete authority on how the money would be distributed. Although this patronage seems foreign to Western armies, it was none-the-less an accepted and no doubt a well-received practice considering the meager pay soldiers in the NVA received. As to give an indication as to how frequent incentives were given, one NVA officer with thirty-four years of service received 114 premium awards. It literally paid to stay on the good side of the commander. 

The following pay tables were effective during the late 1980s. As the collapse of the NVA and East Germany became closer, reforms were made which improved a variety of benefits for the soldiers. In early 1990, basic pay for Soldats rose from 150 DM per month to 250 DM.

Incentive pay. An announcement showing a member of the Stasi (East German Intelligence) has had 5,00 Ostmarks deposited in his bank account.