complete basic pay tables by grade and years of service
2026 Military Pay Chart: All Grades and Years of Service
Complete 2026 monthly basic pay for every enlisted grade (E-1 through E-9), warrant officer grade (W-1 through W-5), and commissioned officer grade (O-1 through O-10). The 3.8 percent raise took effect January 1, 2026, and applies across the entire pay table by grade and cumulative years of service. Use these tables to verify your LES, budget your income, and document qualifying income for a VA loan.
Enlisted Pay Range (E-1 through E-9)
- E-1 entry: $2,407 per month at less than 2 years of service, or $2,226 per month for E-1 with less than 4 months of service.
- E-9 maximum: $10,729 per month at 38 or more years of service, the highest enlisted basic pay cell in the 2026 table.
- E-5 midrange: $3,343 per month at entry, rising to $4,422 per month at 10 or more years of service.
Officer Pay Range (O-1 through O-10)
- O-1 entry: $4,150 per month at less than 2 years of service.
- O-10 maximum: $19,523 per month (Executive Schedule cap applies to O-9 and O-10).
- O-3 midrange: $5,534 per month at entry, rising to $9,004 per month at 14 or more years of service.
Warrant Officer Pay Range (W-1 through W-5)
- W-1 entry: $4,057 per month at less than 2 years of service.
- W-5 maximum: $13,308 per month at 38 or more years of service.
- W-5 minimum seniority: W-5 pay begins at Over 20 years of service. Earlier columns are not applicable.
How to Use This Chart
- Find your grade: Locate your pay grade (e.g., E-5, W-3, O-4) in the left column of the appropriate table.
- Find your years: Use your creditable years of service for pay purposes, not time in current grade.
- Blank cells: A dash means that grade and years of service combination is not authorized.
- Verify: Compare against your LES basic pay line. These are gross amounts before taxes and deductions.
FAQs
When did the 2026 pay raise take effect?
What is the highest enlisted pay in 2026?
Does this chart include BAH and BAS?
The Bottom Line Up Front
The 2026 Military pay chart below shows monthly basic pay for every grade and years-of-service step after the 3.8 percent raise that took effect January 1, 2026. Enlisted pay ranges from $2,226 per month (E-1 with less than 4 months of service) to $10,729 per month (E-9 at 38 or more years). Warrant officer pay ranges from $4,057 (W-1 entry) to $13,308 (W-5 at 38 or more years). Officer pay ranges from $4,150 (O-1 entry) to $19,523 (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.
2026 Enlisted Basic Pay (E-1 through E-9)
Monthly basic pay for enlisted grades E-1 through E-9 by cumulative years of service. E-1 with less than 4 months of service receives a reduced rate. E-8 pay begins at Over 8 years, and E-9 pay begins at Over 10 years. All figures reflect the 3.8 percent raise effective January 1, 2026.
| Pay 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 (<4 mo) | $2,226 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| E-1 | $2,407 | $2,407 | $2,407 | $2,407 | $2,407 | $2,407 | $2,407 | $2,407 | $2,407 | $2,407 | $2,407 | $2,407 | $2,407 | $2,407 | $2,407 | $2,407 | $2,407 | $2,407 | $2,407 | $2,407 | $2,407 | $2,407 |
| E-2 | $2,698 | $2,698 | $2,698 | $2,698 | $2,698 | $2,698 | $2,698 | $2,698 | $2,698 | $2,698 | $2,698 | $2,698 | $2,698 | $2,698 | $2,698 | $2,698 | $2,698 | $2,698 | $2,698 | $2,698 | $2,698 | $2,698 |
| E-3 | $2,837 | $3,015 | $3,198 | $3,198 | $3,198 | $3,198 | $3,198 | $3,198 | $3,198 | $3,198 | $3,198 | $3,198 | $3,198 | $3,198 | $3,198 | $3,198 | $3,198 | $3,198 | $3,198 | $3,198 | $3,198 | $3,198 |
| E-4 | $3,142 | $3,303 | $3,482 | $3,659 | $3,815 | $3,815 | $3,815 | $3,815 | $3,815 | $3,815 | $3,815 | $3,815 | $3,815 | $3,815 | $3,815 | $3,815 | $3,815 | $3,815 | $3,815 | $3,815 | $3,815 | $3,815 |
| E-5 | $3,343 | $3,598 | $3,776 | $3,947 | $4,110 | $4,300 | $4,395 | $4,422 | $4,422 | $4,422 | $4,422 | $4,422 | $4,422 | $4,422 | $4,422 | $4,422 | $4,422 | $4,422 | $4,422 | $4,422 | $4,422 | $4,422 |
| E-6 | $3,401 | $3,743 | $3,908 | $4,069 | $4,236 | $4,613 | $4,759 | $5,043 | $5,130 | $5,194 | $5,268 | $5,268 | $5,268 | $5,268 | $5,268 | $5,268 | $5,268 | $5,268 | $5,268 | $5,268 | $5,268 | $5,268 |
| E-7 | $3,932 | $4,291 | $4,456 | $4,673 | $4,844 | $5,136 | $5,300 | $5,592 | $5,835 | $6,001 | $6,177 | $6,246 | $6,475 | $6,598 | $7,068 | $7,068 | $7,068 | $7,068 | $7,068 | $7,068 | $7,068 | $7,068 |
| E-8 | — | — | — | — | — | $5,657 | $5,907 | $6,062 | $6,247 | $6,448 | $6,811 | $6,995 | $7,308 | $7,482 | $7,909 | $7,909 | $8,067 | $8,067 | $8,067 | $8,067 | $8,067 | $8,067 |
| E-9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | $6,910 | $7,067 | $7,264 | $7,496 | $7,731 | $8,105 | $8,423 | $8,757 | $9,268 | $9,268 | $9,730 | $9,730 | $10,217 | $10,217 | $10,729 | $10,729 |
Source: 2026 DFAS Basic Pay Table, 3.8% raise effective January 1, 2026. Verify your exact cell against your LES.
2026 Warrant Officer Basic Pay (W-1 through W-5)
Monthly basic pay for warrant officer grades W-1 through W-5. W-5 pay cells begin at Over 20 years of service. Warrant officers are appointed based on technical expertise and typically have significant prior enlisted service, which is reflected in the higher starting pay compared to junior enlisted grades.
| Pay 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 | $4,057 | $4,494 | $4,611 | $4,859 | $5,152 | $5,584 | $5,786 | $6,069 | $6,347 | $6,565 | $6,766 | $7,010 | $7,010 | $7,010 | $7,010 | $7,010 | $7,010 | $7,010 | $7,010 | $7,010 | $7,010 | $7,010 |
| W-2 | $4,622 | $5,059 | $5,193 | $5,286 | $5,585 | $6,051 | $6,282 | $6,510 | $6,788 | $7,005 | $7,201 | $7,437 | $7,592 | $7,714 | $7,714 | $7,714 | $7,714 | $7,714 | $7,714 | $7,714 | $7,714 | $7,714 |
| W-3 | $5,223 | $5,440 | $5,664 | $5,737 | $5,971 | $6,431 | $6,911 | $7,136 | $7,398 | $7,666 | $8,150 | $8,477 | $8,672 | $8,880 | $9,163 | $9,163 | $9,163 | $9,163 | $9,163 | $9,163 | $9,163 | $9,163 |
| W-4 | $5,720 | $6,152 | $6,329 | $6,502 | $6,802 | $7,098 | $7,398 | $7,848 | $8,244 | $8,620 | $8,928 | $9,229 | $9,670 | $10,032 | $10,445 | $10,445 | $10,654 | $10,654 | $10,654 | $10,654 | $10,654 | $10,654 |
| W-5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $10,170 | $10,686 | $11,070 | $11,495 | $11,495 | $12,071 | $12,071 | $12,673 | $12,673 | $13,308 | $13,308 |
Source: 2026 DFAS Basic Pay Table. W-5 cells start at Over 20 years of service.
2026 Commissioned Officer Basic Pay (O-1 through O-10)
Monthly basic pay for commissioned officer grades O-1 through O-10. O-9 and O-10 pay is capped at Executive Schedule Level II ($19,523 per month for 2026). O-9 and O-10 cells begin at Over 20 years of service.
| Pay 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 | $4,320 | $5,222 | $5,222 | $5,222 | $5,222 | $5,222 | $5,222 | $5,222 | $5,222 | $5,222 | $5,222 | $5,222 | $5,222 | $5,222 | $5,222 | $5,222 | $5,222 | $5,222 | $5,222 | $5,222 | $5,222 |
| O-2 | $4,782 | $5,446 | $6,273 | $6,485 | $6,618 | $6,618 | $6,618 | $6,618 | $6,618 | $6,618 | $6,618 | $6,618 | $6,618 | $6,618 | $6,618 | $6,618 | $6,618 | $6,618 | $6,618 | $6,618 | $6,618 | $6,618 |
| O-3 | $5,534 | $6,274 | $6,770 | $7,383 | $7,737 | $8,125 | $8,376 | $8,788 | $9,004 | $9,004 | $9,004 | $9,004 | $9,004 | $9,004 | $9,004 | $9,004 | $9,004 | $9,004 | $9,004 | $9,004 | $9,004 | $9,004 |
| O-4 | $6,295 | $7,286 | $7,773 | $7,881 | $8,332 | $8,816 | $9,420 | $9,888 | $10,215 | $10,402 | $10,510 | $10,510 | $10,510 | $10,510 | $10,510 | $10,510 | $10,510 | $10,510 | $10,510 | $10,510 | $10,510 | $10,510 |
| O-5 | $7,295 | $8,218 | $8,787 | $8,894 | $9,250 | $9,461 | $9,928 | $10,272 | $10,715 | $11,391 | $11,714 | $12,033 | $12,395 | $12,395 | $12,395 | $12,395 | $12,395 | $12,395 | $12,395 | $12,395 | $12,395 | $12,395 |
| O-6 | $8,751 | $9,614 | $10,245 | $10,245 | $10,284 | $10,725 | $10,783 | $10,783 | $11,396 | $12,480 | $13,116 | $13,751 | $14,113 | $14,479 | $15,189 | $15,189 | $15,492 | $15,492 | $15,492 | $15,492 | $15,492 | $15,492 |
| O-7 | $11,540 | $12,076 | $12,324 | $12,522 | $12,879 | $13,232 | $13,639 | $14,046 | $14,454 | $15,735 | $16,818 | $16,818 | $16,818 | $16,818 | $16,904 | $16,904 | $17,242 | $17,242 | $17,242 | $17,242 | $17,242 | $17,242 |
| O-8 | $13,888 | $14,344 | $14,645 | $14,730 | $15,107 | $15,735 | $15,882 | $16,480 | $16,652 | $17,167 | $17,912 | $18,598 | $19,057 | $19,057 | $19,057 | $19,057 | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 |
| O-9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 |
| O-10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 | $19,523 |
Source: 2026 DFAS Basic Pay Table. O-9 and O-10 capped at Executive Schedule Level II.
How Do You Read the Military Pay Chart?
The pay chart is organized by pay grade (rows) and cumulative years of service (columns). Your pay cell is determined by two factors: your current pay grade and your creditable years of service for pay purposes.
- Pay grade is your rank designation (E-1 through E-9 for enlisted, W-1 through W-5 for warrant officers, O-1 through O-10 for commissioned officers). Find your grade in the left column of the appropriate table.
- Years of service means creditable longevity for pay, not time in your current grade. This is the column header. Your LES shows your pay date, which determines your longevity step.
- Blank cells (shown as dashes) indicate that combination of grade and years of service is not authorized. For example, E-9 does not have a pay cell below Over 10 years because promotion to E-9 requires at least that much service.
- These are gross figures before taxes, SGLI, TSP, allotments, and other deductions. Your net pay on your LES will be lower. Allowances like BAH and BAS are separate and not included in this chart.
The Bottom Line
The 2026 Military pay chart reflects a 3.8 percent raise across every grade and years-of-service cell, effective January 1, 2026. Your exact monthly basic pay depends on your pay grade and creditable longevity. Use your LES to confirm which cell applies to your situation, then add allowances (BAH, BAS) and subtract deductions to get your actual take-home pay. For VA loan qualification, lenders verify your basic pay from your LES and can gross up non-taxable allowances by 25 percent when calculating your qualifying income.
References Used
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an E-5 make in 2026?
An E-5 earns $3,343 per month at less than 2 years of service, $4,110 at Over 6 years, and $4,422 at Over 10 years and above. These are gross basic pay figures before taxes and deductions.
What is the maximum Military pay in 2026?
The highest basic pay cell is $19,523 per month for O-9 and O-10, which is capped at Executive Schedule Level II. The highest enlisted cell is $10,729 per month for E-9 at 38 or more years of service.
Do warrant officers have their own pay table?
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.
Why are some cells blank in the pay chart?
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.
Does the pay chart include BAH and BAS?
No. The pay chart shows basic pay only. Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) are separate allowances. BAH varies by duty station, pay grade, and dependent status. BAS is a flat monthly rate by category.
Can I use the pay chart for VA loan qualification?
Lenders verify your income from your LES, not from a pay chart. However, the chart helps you confirm what your 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 by 25 percent.
How was the 3.8 percent raise calculated?
The default raise follows the Employment Cost Index (ECI), which tracks private-sector wage growth. The 12-month ECI change for wages and salaries was 3.8 percent, and that became the 2026 pay raise under the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act.