Compare military bases / Military pay chart 2026
Military pay
Military pay chart 2026: monthly basic pay by rank and years of service
The official 2026 basic pay tables for enlisted, warrant officer and officer grades, from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Rates apply to every branch. For housing allowance, see BAH rates 2026 or the BAH by base tool.
Data vintage: DFAS pay tables effective January 1, 2026 (DFAS page updated January 12, 2026); BAS effective January 1, 2026; raise history 2007–2026. Last checked 2026-10-27 by The CompareTheData team.
Data: DFAS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Key takeaways
- Basic pay rose 3.8% on January 1, 2026, after 4.5% in 2025 and 5.2% in 2024 (DFAS). Every grade and step in the tables below reflects the 2026 rates.
- An E-1 with at least 4 months of service earns $2,407.20 a month ($28,886 a year); a new recruit with less than 4 months earns $2,225.70.
- An E-4 starts at $3,142.20 a month and an E-5 at $3,342.90. A new O-1 starts at $4,150.20 ($49,802 a year).
- Top enlisted basic pay is $10,729.20 a month for an E-9 with over 38 years (senior enlisted advisors of each service earn $11,166.90).
- Officer pay is capped: $15,408.30 a month for O-6 and below and $18,999.90 for O-7 to O-10 (Executive Schedule levels V and II).
- Enlisted BAS (food allowance) is $476.95 a month in 2026 (+2.4% from 2025); officer BAS is $328.48 (+2.4%).
What changed from 2025
- The 2026 raise (3.8%) is smaller than the previous two years' (4.5% and 5.2%), but above the 2017–2026 average of 3.4%.
- Separately from the 2025 across-the-board raise, junior enlisted members (E-1 to E-4) received an additional targeted raise effective April 1, 2025, so their 2026 rates are higher than a simple 4.5% + 3.8% calculation from 2024 would suggest. The Congressional Research Service describes these as “pay table reform” increases.
Starting and top pay by grade
Click a column heading to sort. Annual figures are monthly basic pay × 12, before allowances and taxes. Download the full table (CSV).
| Grade | Category | First listed years of service | Starting monthly pay | Top of scale (monthly) | Starting annual pay | Top annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | Enlisted | 2 or less | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | $28,886 |
| E-2 | Enlisted | 2 or less | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $32,375 | $32,375 |
| E-3 | Enlisted | 2 or less | $2,836.80 | $3,198.00 | $34,042 | $38,376 |
| E-4 | Enlisted | 2 or less | $3,142.20 | $3,815.40 | $37,706 | $45,785 |
| E-5 | Enlisted | 2 or less | $3,342.90 | $4,421.70 | $40,115 | $53,060 |
| E-6 | Enlisted | 2 or less | $3,401.10 | $5,267.70 | $40,813 | $63,212 |
| E-7 | Enlisted | 2 or less | $3,932.10 | $7,067.40 | $47,185 | $84,809 |
| E-8 | Enlisted | Over 8 | $5,656.50 | $8,067.30 | $67,878 | $96,808 |
| E-9 | Enlisted | Over 10 | $6,910.20 | $10,729.20 | $82,922 | $128,750 |
| W-1 | Warrant officer | 2 or less | $4,056.60 | $7,010.10 | $48,679 | $84,121 |
| W-2 | Warrant officer | 2 or less | $4,621.80 | $7,714.20 | $55,462 | $92,570 |
| W-3 | Warrant officer | 2 or less | $5,223.30 | $9,162.60 | $62,680 | $109,951 |
| W-4 | Warrant officer | 2 or less | $5,719.80 | $10,653.60 | $68,638 | $127,843 |
| W-5 | Warrant officer | Over 20 | $10,169.70 | $13,308.30 | $122,036 | $159,700 |
| O-1 | Officer | 2 or less | $4,150.20 | $5,222.40 | $49,802 | $62,669 |
| O-2 | Officer | 2 or less | $4,782.00 | $6,617.70 | $57,384 | $79,412 |
| O-3 | Officer | 2 or less | $5,534.10 | $9,004.20 | $66,409 | $108,050 |
| O-4 | Officer | 2 or less | $6,294.60 | $10,509.90 | $75,535 | $126,119 |
| O-5 | Officer | 2 or less | $7,295.40 | $12,394.80 | $87,545 | $148,738 |
| O-6 | Officer | 2 or less | $8,751.30 | $15,408.30 | $105,016 | $184,900 |
| O-7 | Officer | 2 or less | $11,540.10 | $17,242.20 | $138,481 | $206,906 |
| O-8 | Officer | 2 or less | $13,888.50 | $18,999.90 | $166,662 | $227,999 |
| O-9 | Officer | Over 20 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $227,999 | $227,999 |
| O-10 | Officer | Over 20 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $227,999 | $227,999 |
| O-1E | Officer (prior enlisted) | Over 4 | $5,222.40 | $6,484.50 | $62,669 | $77,814 |
| O-2E | Officer (prior enlisted) | Over 4 | $6,484.50 | $7,663.50 | $77,814 | $91,962 |
| O-3E | Officer (prior enlisted) | Over 4 | $7,382.70 | $9,609.60 | $88,592 | $115,315 |
Enlisted pay chart 2026 (E-1 to E-9)
Years of service are cumulative creditable service, not time in grade. “—” means the grade is not normally reached at that service length.
| Grade | 2 or less | Over 2 | Over 3 | Over 4 | Over 6 | Over 8 | Over 10 | Over 12 | Over 14 | Over 16 | Over 18 | Over 20 | Over 22 | Over 24 | Over 26 | Over 28 | Over 30 | Over 32 | Over 34 | Over 36 | Over 38 | Over 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 | $2,407.20 |
| E-2 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 | $2,697.90 |
| E-3 | $2,836.80 | $3,015.00 | $3,198.00 | $3,198.00 | $3,198.00 | $3,198.00 | $3,198.00 | $3,198.00 | $3,198.00 | $3,198.00 | $3,198.00 | $3,198.00 | $3,198.00 | $3,198.00 | $3,198.00 | $3,198.00 | $3,198.00 | $3,198.00 | $3,198.00 | $3,198.00 | $3,198.00 | $3,198.00 |
| E-4 | $3,142.20 | $3,303.00 | $3,482.40 | $3,658.50 | $3,815.40 | $3,815.40 | $3,815.40 | $3,815.40 | $3,815.40 | $3,815.40 | $3,815.40 | $3,815.40 | $3,815.40 | $3,815.40 | $3,815.40 | $3,815.40 | $3,815.40 | $3,815.40 | $3,815.40 | $3,815.40 | $3,815.40 | $3,815.40 |
| E-5 | $3,342.90 | $3,598.20 | $3,775.80 | $3,946.80 | $4,110.00 | $4,299.90 | $4,395.30 | $4,421.70 | $4,421.70 | $4,421.70 | $4,421.70 | $4,421.70 | $4,421.70 | $4,421.70 | $4,421.70 | $4,421.70 | $4,421.70 | $4,421.70 | $4,421.70 | $4,421.70 | $4,421.70 | $4,421.70 |
| E-6 | $3,401.10 | $3,743.10 | $3,908.10 | $4,068.90 | $4,235.70 | $4,612.80 | $4,759.50 | $5,043.30 | $5,130.30 | $5,193.60 | $5,267.70 | $5,267.70 | $5,267.70 | $5,267.70 | $5,267.70 | $5,267.70 | $5,267.70 | $5,267.70 | $5,267.70 | $5,267.70 | $5,267.70 | $5,267.70 |
| E-7 | $3,932.10 | $4,291.50 | $4,456.20 | $4,673.10 | $4,843.80 | $5,135.70 | $5,300.40 | $5,591.70 | $5,835.00 | $6,000.90 | $6,177.30 | $6,245.70 | $6,475.20 | $6,598.20 | $7,067.40 | $7,067.40 | $7,067.40 | $7,067.40 | $7,067.40 | $7,067.40 | $7,067.40 | $7,067.40 |
| E-8 | — | — | — | — | — | $5,656.50 | $5,907.00 | $6,061.80 | $6,247.20 | $6,448.20 | $6,811.20 | $6,995.40 | $7,308.30 | $7,481.70 | $7,908.90 | $7,908.90 | $8,067.30 | $8,067.30 | $8,067.30 | $8,067.30 | $8,067.30 | $8,067.30 |
| E-9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | $6,910.20 | $7,066.50 | $7,263.60 | $7,496.10 | $7,730.70 | $8,105.10 | $8,423.10 | $8,756.70 | $9,267.90 | $9,267.90 | $9,730.20 | $9,730.20 | $10,217.40 | $10,217.40 | $10,729.20 | $10,729.20 |
Warrant officer pay chart 2026 (W-1 to W-5)
| Grade | 2 or less | Over 2 | Over 3 | Over 4 | Over 6 | Over 8 | Over 10 | Over 12 | Over 14 | Over 16 | Over 18 | Over 20 | Over 22 | Over 24 | Over 26 | Over 28 | Over 30 | Over 32 | Over 34 | Over 36 | Over 38 | Over 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W-1 | $4,056.60 | $4,493.70 | $4,611.00 | $4,859.10 | $5,152.20 | $5,584.20 | $5,786.10 | $6,069.30 | $6,346.50 | $6,564.90 | $6,766.20 | $7,010.10 | $7,010.10 | $7,010.10 | $7,010.10 | $7,010.10 | $7,010.10 | $7,010.10 | $7,010.10 | $7,010.10 | $7,010.10 | $7,010.10 |
| W-2 | $4,621.80 | $5,058.90 | $5,193.30 | $5,286.00 | $5,585.40 | $6,051.00 | $6,282.60 | $6,509.40 | $6,787.50 | $7,005.00 | $7,201.50 | $7,437.00 | $7,591.50 | $7,714.20 | $7,714.20 | $7,714.20 | $7,714.20 | $7,714.20 | $7,714.20 | $7,714.20 | $7,714.20 | $7,714.20 |
| W-3 | $5,223.30 | $5,440.50 | $5,664.30 | $5,736.90 | $5,970.90 | $6,431.10 | $6,910.50 | $7,136.40 | $7,397.70 | $7,665.90 | $8,150.40 | $8,476.50 | $8,671.80 | $8,879.70 | $9,162.60 | $9,162.60 | $9,162.60 | $9,162.60 | $9,162.60 | $9,162.60 | $9,162.60 | $9,162.60 |
| W-4 | $5,719.80 | $6,152.10 | $6,328.50 | $6,502.20 | $6,801.90 | $7,098.00 | $7,398.00 | $7,848.30 | $8,243.70 | $8,619.90 | $8,928.60 | $9,228.90 | $9,669.60 | $10,032.00 | $10,445.40 | $10,445.40 | $10,653.60 | $10,653.60 | $10,653.60 | $10,653.60 | $10,653.60 | $10,653.60 |
| W-5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $10,169.70 | $10,685.70 | $11,070.30 | $11,495.10 | $11,495.10 | $12,070.80 | $12,070.80 | $12,673.50 | $12,673.50 | $13,308.30 | $13,308.30 |
Officer pay chart 2026 (O-1 to O-10)
O-7 to O-10 pay is limited to $18,999.90 a month and O-6 and below to $15,408.30; the table shows the limited amounts.
| Grade | 2 or less | Over 2 | Over 3 | Over 4 | Over 6 | Over 8 | Over 10 | Over 12 | Over 14 | Over 16 | Over 18 | Over 20 | Over 22 | Over 24 | Over 26 | Over 28 | Over 30 | Over 32 | Over 34 | Over 36 | Over 38 | Over 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-1 | $4,150.20 | $4,320.00 | $5,222.40 | $5,222.40 | $5,222.40 | $5,222.40 | $5,222.40 | $5,222.40 | $5,222.40 | $5,222.40 | $5,222.40 | $5,222.40 | $5,222.40 | $5,222.40 | $5,222.40 | $5,222.40 | $5,222.40 | $5,222.40 | $5,222.40 | $5,222.40 | $5,222.40 | $5,222.40 |
| O-2 | $4,782.00 | $5,446.20 | $6,272.40 | $6,484.50 | $6,617.70 | $6,617.70 | $6,617.70 | $6,617.70 | $6,617.70 | $6,617.70 | $6,617.70 | $6,617.70 | $6,617.70 | $6,617.70 | $6,617.70 | $6,617.70 | $6,617.70 | $6,617.70 | $6,617.70 | $6,617.70 | $6,617.70 | $6,617.70 |
| O-3 | $5,534.10 | $6,273.90 | $6,770.40 | $7,382.70 | $7,737.00 | $8,125.50 | $8,375.70 | $8,788.20 | $9,004.20 | $9,004.20 | $9,004.20 | $9,004.20 | $9,004.20 | $9,004.20 | $9,004.20 | $9,004.20 | $9,004.20 | $9,004.20 | $9,004.20 | $9,004.20 | $9,004.20 | $9,004.20 |
| O-4 | $6,294.60 | $7,286.40 | $7,773.60 | $7,881.00 | $8,332.20 | $8,816.40 | $9,420.00 | $9,888.30 | $10,214.40 | $10,401.60 | $10,509.90 | $10,509.90 | $10,509.90 | $10,509.90 | $10,509.90 | $10,509.90 | $10,509.90 | $10,509.90 | $10,509.90 | $10,509.90 | $10,509.90 | $10,509.90 |
| O-5 | $7,295.40 | $8,218.20 | $8,787.00 | $8,894.10 | $9,249.60 | $9,461.40 | $9,928.50 | $10,271.70 | $10,715.10 | $11,391.30 | $11,713.80 | $12,032.70 | $12,394.80 | $12,394.80 | $12,394.80 | $12,394.80 | $12,394.80 | $12,394.80 | $12,394.80 | $12,394.80 | $12,394.80 | $12,394.80 |
| O-6 | $8,751.30 | $9,613.80 | $10,245.00 | $10,245.00 | $10,284.30 | $10,725.00 | $10,783.50 | $10,783.50 | $11,396.40 | $12,479.70 | $13,115.40 | $13,751.10 | $14,112.90 | $14,479.20 | $15,188.70 | $15,188.70 | $15,408.30 | $15,408.30 | $15,408.30 | $15,408.30 | $15,408.30 | $15,408.30 |
| O-7 | $11,540.10 | $12,076.20 | $12,324.30 | $12,522.00 | $12,878.70 | $13,231.80 | $13,639.20 | $14,045.70 | $14,454.30 | $15,735.30 | $16,817.70 | $16,817.70 | $16,817.70 | $16,817.70 | $16,904.40 | $16,904.40 | $17,242.20 | $17,242.20 | $17,242.20 | $17,242.20 | $17,242.20 | $17,242.20 |
| O-8 | $13,888.50 | $14,343.90 | $14,645.40 | $14,729.40 | $15,106.50 | $15,735.30 | $15,882.00 | $16,479.60 | $16,651.80 | $17,166.60 | $17,911.80 | $18,598.20 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 |
| O-9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 |
| O-10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 | $18,999.90 |
Officers with prior enlisted service (O-1E to O-3E)
For officers with over 4 years of active service as an enlisted member or warrant officer.
| Grade | Over 4 | Over 6 | Over 8 | Over 10 | Over 12 | Over 14 | Over 16 | Over 18 | Over 20 | Over 22 | Over 24 | Over 26 | Over 28 | Over 30 | Over 32 | Over 34 | Over 36 | Over 38 | Over 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-1E | $5,222.40 | $5,576.70 | $5,783.10 | $5,993.70 | $6,200.70 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 |
| O-2E | $6,484.50 | $6,617.70 | $6,828.00 | $7,183.80 | $7,458.90 | $7,663.50 | $7,663.50 | $7,663.50 | $7,663.50 | $7,663.50 | $7,663.50 | $7,663.50 | $7,663.50 | $7,663.50 | $7,663.50 | $7,663.50 | $7,663.50 | $7,663.50 | $7,663.50 |
| O-3E | $7,382.70 | $7,737.00 | $8,125.50 | $8,375.70 | $8,788.20 | $9,137.10 | $9,336.90 | $9,609.60 | $9,609.60 | $9,609.60 | $9,609.60 | $9,609.60 | $9,609.60 | $9,609.60 | $9,609.60 | $9,609.60 | $9,609.60 | $9,609.60 | $9,609.60 |
Military pay raise history
Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)
| Year | Enlisted (monthly) | Officer (monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $476.95 | $328.48 |
| 2025 | $465.77 | $320.78 |
| 2024 | $460.25 | $316.98 |
| 2023 | $452.56 | $311.68 |
| 2022 | $406.98 | $280.29 |
| 2021 | $386.50 | $266.18 |
| 2020 | $372.71 | $256.68 |
| 2019 | $369.39 | $254.39 |
| 2018 | $369.39 | $254.39 |
| 2017 | $368.29 | $253.63 |
| 2016 | $368.29 | $253.63 |
| 2015 | $367.92 | $253.38 |
| 2014 | $357.55 | $246.24 |
| 2013 | $352.27 | $242.60 |
| 2012 | $348.44 | $239.96 |
| 2011 | $325.04 | $223.84 |
How to read these numbers
- Basic pay is one part of compensation. BAH, BAS, special and incentive pays, and tax advantages can add substantially, and vary by person.
- Figures are monthly before taxes and deductions. Drill pay for Guard and Reserve is calculated differently (per drill period).
Common questions
How much does an E-1 make in 2026?
$2,407.20 a month in basic pay ($28,886 a year) after 4 months of service, and $2,225.70 a month before that. Allowances such as BAH and BAS are paid on top when eligible.
How much does an E-4 make in the military?
From $3,142.20 a month at 2 years or less to $3,815.40 at over 6 years, in 2026 basic pay.
How much does an O-1 make?
A second lieutenant or ensign (O-1) starts at $4,150.20 a month in 2026, rising to $5,222.40. An O-3 ranges from $5,534.10 to $9,004.20.
What is the 2026 military pay raise?
3.8%, effective January 1, 2026, per DFAS. The 2025 raise was 4.5% and the 2024 raise 5.2%.
Do the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines get paid the same?
Yes for basic pay: one DFAS table covers all services, including the Space Force and Coast Guard. Special pays tied to specific jobs or duty can differ.
Is military basic pay taxable?
Basic pay is generally subject to federal income tax. BAH and BAS are generally not taxable, and pay earned in a designated combat zone can be excluded. Check IRS Publication 3 for your situation.
Related
Sources
- DFAS, Military Pay Tables effective January 1, 2026 (DoD FMR Vol. 7A, Ch. 1). page updated January 12, 2026. Includes enlisted, warrant officer, commissioned officer and prior-enlisted officer tables.
- DFAS, Annual Pay Raise history. through January 1, 2026.
- DFAS, Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) rates. rates effective January 1, 2026.
- Congressional Research Service, Military Pay Raise (IF10260), updated January 26, 2026. covers the 2026 raise and April 2025 junior enlisted increases.