MARSOC vs SEAL
Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of MARSOC and SEAL, event by event, with pay where we have it. Higher levels are in the paid report.
UNITED STATESMinimum standards, event by event
| Event | MARSOC | SEAL |
|---|---|---|
| Pull-ups (PFT)SEAL: Pull-ups (no time limit) | 20stricter | 10 |
| Plank (PFT) | 2:54only this unit | — |
| 3-mile run (PFT) | 22:50only this unit | — |
| 500 yd swim (side/breaststroke) | — | 12:30only this unit |
| Push-ups (2 min) | — | 50only this unit |
| Curl-ups (2 min) | — | 50only this unit |
| 1.5 mi run | — | 10:30only this unit |
Events in the same row are similar but not identical — read the event names.
Higher levels (e.g. competitive or elevated standards) and your gap to each are in the paid report.
Where the bar is higher
MARSOC sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups.
MARSOC tests 3 events, SEAL tests 5 events.
Pay
Amounts are in each country’s own currency and are not converted.
Questions
Is MARSOC or SEAL harder to get into?
MARSOC sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups. These are only the published fitness minimums; selection itself, medical and other requirements differ, and passing the minimum does not guarantee selection.
How do the MARSOC and SEAL fitness tests differ?
MARSOC: 3 events (pull-ups, plank, 3-mile run). SEAL: 5 events (swim, push-ups, curl-ups, pull-ups, run 1.5mi).
Does MARSOC or SEAL pay more?
MARSOC: $6,640/month (E-5 · >4); SEAL: $6,901/month (E-5 · >3) (default scenarios, gross). The default scenarios use different ranks and seniority, so this is not a like-for-like comparison — set the same rank in the pay calculator on each unit page.
- 1st class example — 240 points (men 21–25) — MCO 6100.13A w/Admin CH-5 (PFT tables, Table 2-1: 1st class 235–300); MARADMIN 221/07, par. 7.C (2025-05-28)
- Minimum — MILPERSMAN 1220-410 CH-77 (2021-12-03)
- Elevated (EPST) — navy.com — Navy SEAL (EPST) (2026-09-20)
- Average candidate (enlisted) — sealswcc.com — SEAL and SWCC PST Standards (2022-05-05) · APPROXIMATE