Complete 2026 military base pay tables effective January 1, 2026, for enlisted, warrant, and commissioned officer grades at every DFAS years-of-service step from 2 or less through over 40. These are basic-pay cells only. BAH depends on duty station, rank, and dependents.
The 2026 military base pay chart shows monthly basic pay for every grade and years-of-service step. The 2026 military basic pay adjustment was 3.8 percent, effective January 1, 2026. Enlisted pay ranges from $2,225.70 per month (E-1 with fewer than 4 months) to $10,729.20 (E-9 at 38 or more years). Warrant officer pay ranges from $4,056.60 (W-1 entry) to $13,308.30 (W-5 at 38 or more years). Officer pay ranges from $4,150.20 (O-1 entry) to $18,999.90 (O-9 and O-10, capped at Executive Schedule Level II). Use your pay grade and creditable years of service to find your exact cell, then confirm it on your LES.
Source: DFAS basic pay tables effective January 1, 2026, from DoD Financial Management Regulation Volume 7A, Chapter 1. The 2026 basic-pay raise is 3.8%.
O-1, O-2, and O-3 rates below do not apply to officers credited with more than 4 years of active service as an enlisted member or warrant officer. Those members use the separate DFAS O-1E, O-2E, and O-3E table.
| Grade | Rank | 2 or less | Over 2 | Over 3 | Over 4 | Over 6 | Over 8 | Over 10 | Over 12 | Over 14 | Over 16 | Over 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 (<4 mo) | Private (under 4 months) | $2,225.70 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| E-1 | Private | $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 | Private First Class | $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 | Lance Corporal / Seaman | $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 |
| E-4 | Corporal / Specialist | $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 |
| E-5 | Sergeant | $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 |
| E-6 | Staff Sergeant | $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 |
| E-7 | Sergeant First Class | $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 |
| E-8 | Master Sergeant | — | — | — | — | — | $5,656.50 | $5,907.00 | $6,061.80 | $6,247.20 | $6,448.20 | $6,811.20 |
| E-9 | Sergeant Major | — | — | — | — | — | — | $6,910.20 | $7,067.40 | $7,263.60 | $7,496.10 | $7,730.70 |
| Grade | Rank | Over 20 | Over 22 | Over 24 | Over 26 | Over 28 | Over 30 | Over 32 | Over 34 | Over 36 | Over 38 | Over 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 (<4 mo) | Private (under 4 months) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| E-1 | Private | $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 | Private First Class | $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 | Lance Corporal / Seaman | $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 | Corporal / Specialist | $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 | Sergeant | $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 | Staff Sergeant | $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 | Sergeant First Class | $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 | Master Sergeant | $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 | Sergeant Major | $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 |
| Grade | Rank | 2 or less | Over 2 | Over 3 | Over 4 | Over 6 | Over 8 | Over 10 | Over 12 | Over 14 | Over 16 | Over 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W-1 | Warrant Officer 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 |
| W-2 | Chief Warrant Officer 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 |
| W-3 | Chief Warrant Officer 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 |
| W-4 | Chief Warrant Officer 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 |
| W-5 | Chief Warrant Officer 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Grade | Rank | Over 20 | Over 22 | Over 24 | Over 26 | Over 28 | Over 30 | Over 32 | Over 34 | Over 36 | Over 38 | Over 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W-1 | Warrant Officer 1 | $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 | Chief Warrant Officer 2 | $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 | Chief Warrant Officer 3 | $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 | Chief Warrant Officer 4 | $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 | Chief Warrant Officer 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 |
| Grade | Rank | 2 or less | Over 2 | Over 3 | Over 4 | Over 6 | Over 8 | Over 10 | Over 12 | Over 14 | Over 16 | Over 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-1 | 2nd Lieutenant / Ensign | $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 |
| O-2 | 1st Lieutenant / LTJG | $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 |
| O-3 | Captain / Lieutenant | $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 |
| O-4 | Major / LCDR | $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 |
| O-5 | Lt Colonel / Commander | $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 |
| O-6 | Colonel / Captain | $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 |
| O-7 | Brigadier General | $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 |
| O-8 | Major General | $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 |
| O-9 | Lieutenant General | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| O-10 | General / Admiral | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Grade | Rank | Over 20 | Over 22 | Over 24 | Over 26 | Over 28 | Over 30 | Over 32 | Over 34 | Over 36 | Over 38 | Over 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-1 | 2nd Lieutenant / Ensign | $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 | 1st Lieutenant / LTJG | $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 | Captain / Lieutenant | $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 | Major / LCDR | $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 | Lt Colonel / Commander | $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 | Colonel / Captain | $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 | Brigadier General | $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 | Major General | $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 | Lieutenant General | $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 | General / Admiral | $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 |
Basic pay follows the grade, and the same grade has a different title in each service. Use this crosswalk when a chart says "sergeant" or "petty officer" and you need the pay grade.
| Grade | Army | Marine Corps | Navy | Air Force | Space Force | Coast Guard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | Private | Private | Seaman Recruit | Airman Basic | Specialist 1 | Seaman Recruit |
| E-2 | Private | Private First Class | Seaman Apprentice | Airman | Specialist 2 | Seaman Apprentice |
| E-3 | Private First Class | Lance Corporal | Seaman | Airman First Class | Specialist 3 | Seaman |
| E-4 | Specialist / Corporal | Corporal | Petty Officer 3rd Class | Senior Airman | Specialist 4 | Petty Officer 3rd Class |
| E-5 | Sergeant | Sergeant | Petty Officer 2nd Class | Staff Sergeant | Sergeant | Petty Officer 2nd Class |
| E-6 | Staff Sergeant | Staff Sergeant | Petty Officer 1st Class | Technical Sergeant | Technical Sergeant | Petty Officer 1st Class |
| E-7 | Sergeant First Class | Gunnery Sergeant | Chief Petty Officer | Master Sergeant | Master Sergeant | Chief Petty Officer |
| E-8 | Master Sergeant / First Sergeant | Master Sergeant / First Sergeant | Senior Chief Petty Officer | Senior Master Sergeant | Senior Master Sergeant | Senior Chief Petty Officer |
| E-9 | Sergeant Major | Master Gunnery Sergeant / Sergeant Major | Master Chief Petty Officer | Chief Master Sergeant | Chief Master Sergeant | Master Chief Petty Officer |
| O-1 | Second Lieutenant | Second Lieutenant | Ensign | Second Lieutenant | Second Lieutenant | Ensign |
| O-3 | Captain | Captain | Lieutenant | Captain | Captain | Lieutenant |
| O-5 | Lieutenant Colonel | Lieutenant Colonel | Commander | Lieutenant Colonel | Lieutenant Colonel | Commander |
| O-6 | Colonel | Colonel | Captain | Colonel | Colonel | Captain |
BAS is a tax-free food allowance. For 2026 it is $476.95 per month for enlisted members and $328.48 per month for officers. The BAS adjustment follows food costs, so it is not the same 3.8% as basic pay.
BAH is also tax-free and is not one national number. It changes with the duty station, pay grade, and dependents. Use the BAH calculator before you estimate a house payment, and the military pay calculator to add allowances to basic pay.
Special and incentive pays, such as flight pay, sea pay, submarine pay, jump pay, and foreign-language pay, depend on the assignment. Confirm those amounts on your LES rather than treating a range as your rate.
A High-3 pension is 2.5% of the average of your highest 36 months of basic pay for each year of service. At 20 years that multiplier is 50%, at 24 years 60%, at 26 years 65%, and at 30 years 75%. The Blended Retirement System uses 2.0% per year, which is 80% of the High-3 amount.
The figures below multiply the single DFAS basic-pay cell in effect just before that year point by the High-3 percentage. They are not a 36-month average, so a real retired check is usually a bit lower. Already-retired pay is adjusted by COLA, not by the 3.8% basic-pay raise.
| Grade | 20 years (50%) | 24 years (60%) | 26 years (65%) | 30 years (75%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $2,210.85 | $2,653.02 | $2,874.11 | $3,316.28 |
| E-6 | $2,633.85 | $3,160.62 | $3,424.00 | $3,950.78 |
| E-7 | $3,088.65 | $3,885.12 | $4,288.83 | $5,300.55 |
| E-8 | $3,405.60 | $4,384.98 | $4,863.10 | $5,931.68 |
| E-9 | $3,865.35 | $5,053.86 | $5,691.86 | $6,950.93 |
| W-2 | $3,600.75 | $4,554.90 | $5,014.23 | $5,785.65 |
| W-3 | $4,075.20 | $5,203.08 | $5,771.81 | $6,871.95 |
| W-4 | $4,464.30 | $5,801.76 | $6,520.80 | $7,834.05 |
| W-5 | — | $6,411.42 | $7,195.70 | $8,621.33 |
| O-3 | $4,502.10 | $5,402.52 | $5,852.73 | $6,753.15 |
| O-4 | $5,254.95 | $6,305.94 | $6,831.43 | $7,882.43 |
| O-5 | $5,856.90 | $7,436.88 | $8,056.62 | $9,296.10 |
| O-6 | $6,557.70 | $8,467.74 | $9,411.48 | $11,391.53 |
Model a personal figure with the military retirement calculator.
Basic pay increased 3.8% on January 1, 2026. The charts on this page use the DFAS monthly rates for that raise. The default raise follows the Employment Cost Index under the defense budget process. BAS uses a separate food-cost adjustment and did not rise by 3.8%.
The 3.8 percent basic pay raise took effect January 1, 2026. Your first LES reflecting the new rates typically posts in mid-January via myPay.
An E-1 with 4 or more months of active duty earns $2,407.20 per month in basic pay. An E-1 with fewer than 4 months earns $2,225.70. E-1 basic pay does not increase with years of service.
An E-5 receives $3,342.90 per month at the initial pay step, $4,110.00 at over 6 years, $4,395.30 at over 10 years, and $4,421.70 at over 12 years. These are gross basic pay figures before allowances, taxes, and deductions.
E-9 basic pay at over 38 years of service is $10,729.20 per month. A service senior enlisted advisor, such as the Sergeant Major of the Army or Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, is paid $11,166.90 per month while serving in that billet.
The highest basic pay cell is $18,999.90 per month for O-9 and O-10, capped at Executive Schedule Level II. The highest enlisted cell is $10,729.20 per month for E-9 at 38 or more years of service. The highest warrant officer cell is $13,308.30 for W-5 at over 38 years.
Yes. Warrant officers (W-1 through W-5) have a separate section of the basic pay table. W-5 pay cells begin at over 20 years of service because the grade requires significant seniority.
Blank cells (shown as dashes) mean that combination of grade and years of service is not authorized. For example, you cannot be an E-9 with less than 10 years of service, so those cells are blank. E-8 starts at over 8 years, and O-9/O-10 start at over 20 years.
No. The main tables are basic pay only. 2026 BAS is $476.95 per month for enlisted members and $328.48 for officers. BAH changes with duty station, pay grade, and whether you have dependents.
Lenders verify your income from your LES, not from a pay chart. The chart helps you confirm what basic pay should be for your grade and years of service. For VA loan qualification, lenders count basic pay plus allowances and can gross up non-taxable income such as BAH and BAS by 25 percent when calculating qualifying income.
Basic pay rates are updated annually on January 1. The percentage is tied to the Employment Cost Index and is set through the defense budget process. Confirm the current table with DFAS before you rely on a figure for pay or a loan application.
Total monthly compensation is basic pay plus Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), and any special pays you actually receive. BAH and BAS are tax-free and can add a large share of take-home pay on top of basic pay.
Lenders generally count BAH as income for VA loan qualification. Because BAH is tied to your duty station, rank, and dependents, a PCS can change the income used to qualify even when basic pay stays the same.
Many ongoing special pays, such as flight pay, sea pay, and hazardous duty pay, can be included when a lender calculates income. Temporary or one-time pays may not. Your Leave and Earnings Statement is the document that shows which pays you receive.
Basic pay stays tied to rank and years of service. BAH changes with the new duty station. Compare locations with the BAH calculator before you estimate a house payment at the next assignment.
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