2024 Military Pay Charts
As of January 1, 2024, all U.S. military service members received a 5.2% pay raise, marking the largest increase in over 20 years. This boost was part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), impacting everyone across the military, including active-duty members, reserves, and those in the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard, and Space Force.
To help you understand how your pay stacks up, here’s a breakdown of the 2024 military pay charts for both enlisted personnel and officers. Keep in mind that these figures represent basic pay, which doesn’t include extra allowances like Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) or Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), which many service members receive to help cover housing and food costs.
2024 Enlisted Military Pay
Enlisted service members get paid based on their rank, or pay grade, and how long they’ve served. Below is a breakdown of the basic pay rates for enlisted members in 2024:
Pay Chart for Enlisted Personnel (Less Than 2 Years to Over 6 Years of Service)
| Pay Grade | 2 Years or Less | Over 2 Years | Over 3 Years | Over 4 Years | Over 6 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-7 | $3,625 | $3,956 | $4,108 | $4,308 | $4,465 |
| E-6 | $3,135 | $3,450 | $3,603 | $3,751 | $3,905 |
| E-5 | $2,872 | $3,066 | $3,214 | $3,366 | $3,602 |
| E-4 | $2,634 | $2,769 | $2,918 | $3,067 | $3,197 |
| E-3 | $2,378 | $2,527 | $2,680 | $2,680 | $2,680 |
| E-2 | $2,261 | $2,261 | $2,261 | $2,261 | $2,261 |
| E-1 | $2,017 | $2,017 | $2,017 | $2,017 | $2,017 |
| E-1 (< 4 mos) | $1,865 | $1,865 | $1,865 | $1,865 | $1,865 |
Pay Chart for Enlisted Personnel (8 Years to Over 16 Years of Service)
| Pay Grade | Over 8 Years | Over 10 Years | Over 12 Years | Over 14 Years | Over 16 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-9 | N/A | $6,370 | $6,515 | $6,697 | $6,910 |
| E-8 | $5,215 | $5,445 | $5,588 | $5,759 | $5,945 |
| E-7 | $4,734 | $4,886 | $5,155 | $5,380 | $5,532 |
| E-6 | $4,252 | $4,388 | $4,650 | $4,730 | $4,788 |
| E-5 | $3,849 | $4,052 | $4,076 | $4,076 | $4,076 |
Pay Chart for Enlisted Personnel (18 Years to Over 26 Years of Service)
| Pay Grade | Over 18 Years | Over 20 Years | Over 22 Years | Over 24 Years | Over 26 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-9 | $7,127 | $7,472 | $7,765 | $8,073 | $8,544 |
| E-8 | $6,279 | $6,449 | $6,737 | $6,897 | $7,291 |
| E-7 | $5,695 | $5,758 | $5,970 | $6,083 | $6,515 |
For those with over 30 years of service, enlisted pay maxes out at $8,970 per month for the top pay grade of E-9.
2024 Officer Pay Charts
Similar to enlisted personnel, military officers are paid based on rank and years of service. Below is a look at how pay breaks down for officers in 2024:
Officer Pay Chart (Less Than 2 Years to Over 6 Years of Service)
| Pay Grade | 2 Years or Less | Over 2 Years | Over 3 Years | Over 4 Years | Over 6 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-8 | $12,804 | $13,223 | $13,502 | $13,579 | $13,927 |
| O-7 | $10,639 | $11,133 | $11,362 | $11,544 | $11,873 |
| O-6 | $8,068 | $8,864 | $9,445 | $9,445 | $9,481 |
| O-5 | $6,726 | $7,577 | $8,101 | $8,200 | $8,527 |
| O-4 | $5,803 | $6,717 | $7,166 | $7,265 | $7,682 |
Officer Pay Chart (8 Years to Over 16 Years of Service)
| Pay Grade | Over 8 Years | Over 10 Years | Over 12 Years | Over 14 Years | Over 16 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-8 | $14,507 | $14,642 | $15,193 | $15,351 | $15,826 |
| O-7 | $12,198 | $12,574 | $12,949 | $13,325 | $14,507 |
| O-6 | $9,888 | $9,941 | $9,941 | $10,506 | $11,505 |
| O-5 | $8,723 | $9,153 | $9,470 | $9,878 | $10,502 |
Additional 2024 Military Pay Details
Aside from basic pay, military members may qualify for allowances like the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), which help offset housing and food costs. These allowances are not taxable, and together they can significantly boost a service member’s overall monthly compensation.
It’s also important to note that some service members in specialized positions, like the Sergeant Major of the Army or the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, receive fixed pay rates, regardless of how long they’ve served in that position.
Understanding Military Ranks and Pay Grades
Military pay is structured based on rank and pay grade, both of which play a big role in determining how much you earn. If you’re new to the system, it might seem confusing, but here’s a simplified breakdown:
Enlisted Ranks (E-1 to E-9)
Enlisted personnel make up the bulk of the military and range from entry-level ranks to higher supervisory roles. Pay grades for enlisted members start at E-1 (Private) and go up to E-9 (Sergeant Major), with higher rank bringing more responsibilities and a bigger paycheck.
Warrant Officers (W-1 to W-5)
Warrant officers are specialists in technical fields, with ranks starting at W-1 and going up to W-5. They serve as a bridge between enlisted personnel and commissioned officers and usually focus on a specific area of expertise.
Commissioned Officers (O-1 to O-10)
Commissioned officers are the top leadership in the military. They start at O-1 (Second Lieutenant) and can go as high as O-10 (General or Admiral). These officers take on leadership roles, often managing large groups of personnel or high-level strategy and operations.
Pay Grade vs. Rank Equivalency Table
Here’s a quick snapshot of how pay grades line up with military ranks:
| Pay Grade | Army Rank | Marine Corps Rank | Navy/Coast Guard Rank | Air Force/Space Force Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | Private | Private | Seaman Recruit | Airman Basic |
| E-5 | Sergeant | Sergeant | Petty Officer Second Class | Staff Sergeant |
| E-7 | Sergeant First Class | Gunnery Sergeant | Chief Petty Officer | Master Sergeant |
| O-1 | Second Lieutenant | Second Lieutenant | Ensign | Second Lieutenant |
| O-3 | Captain | Captain | Lieutenant | Captain |
| W-2 | Chief Warrant Officer | Chief Warrant Officer | Chief Warrant Officer | Chief Warrant Officer |
Summary
The 2024 military pay charts reflect a significant boost in compensation thanks to the 5.2% pay raise, the largest increase in over two decades. This adjustment impacts all active-duty service members, reserves, and officers across every branch, including the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, and Space Force.
Whether you’re just starting your military career or you’re a seasoned veteran, these updated pay charts will help you understand how your basic pay is determined based on your rank and years of service. Be sure to consider additional allowances like BAH and BAS, which are tax-free and can greatly enhance your total monthly compensation. For those in specialized positions, such as warrant officers or senior enlisted advisors, you may have additional fixed pay and benefits to account for.
With this guide, you’ll have a clear understanding of your military pay structure and what to expect as you move up in rank and gain experience.
Military Pay FAQ
1. How is military pay determined?
Military pay is primarily based on rank (pay grade) and years of service. As you move up in rank and gain more experience, your pay increases accordingly.
2. What is the difference between basic pay and allowances?
Basic pay is your core salary, taxable income determined by your rank and years of service. Allowances, such as Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), are non-taxable and help cover living expenses.
3. Does the 2024 pay raise apply to all service members?
Yes, the 5.2% pay raise applies to all service members, including active-duty, reserves, and members of all military branches, such as the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force.
4. Are military allowances taxable?
No, allowances such as BAH and BAS are non-taxable, meaning they do not count toward your taxable income, which can make a significant difference in your total take-home pay.
5. How often does military pay increase?
Military pay is reviewed and typically adjusted annually based on cost-of-living changes and inflation. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is usually responsible for setting pay increases.
6. What happens if I’m deployed—does my pay change?
Yes, service members deployed to certain areas may qualify for additional compensation, such as hazardous duty pay or combat zone tax exclusions that increase total pay.
7. What is the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)?
BAH is an allowance provided to service members to cover housing costs. It varies based on location, rank, and whether you have dependents.
8. Do higher ranks receive fixed pay after a certain number of years?
Yes, some senior enlisted positions, like Sergeant Major of the Army or Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, receive a fixed pay rate, regardless of years of service in that position.