2026 Military Pay Chart: All Grades and Years of Service
What Is Military Basic Pay in 2026?
The 2026 military pay chart shows gross monthly basic pay by grade and creditable years of service, with a 3.8% adjustment effective January 1, 2026. Standard E-1 pay is $2,407.20 monthly after the first four months; an entry O-1 receives $4,150.20. Senior O-9/O-10 amounts are capped at $18,999.90. These figures do not include BAH, BAS, incentive pay, taxes or deductions. Use the tables below or the embedded lookup to find your exact pay cell. [2]
Government pay tables · Monthly gross basic pay · Verify individual entitlements with your LES
2026 Military Pay at a Glance
Select a category to view the official grade and longevity detail.
Find Your Pay
Search grade and creditable service in the preserved 2026 lookup.
Popular Pay Rates
Fast monthly and annual rates for E-1, E-3, E-5, E-7, W-1 and O-1.
Enlisted Pay Table
Every enlisted grade with all 22 longevity columns.
Warrant Pay Table
Full warrant officer amounts with special W-5 longevity limits.
Officer Pay Table
All commissioned ranks and the 2026 salary caps.
Allowances and Loans
Separate compensation from base pay and evaluate mortgage income.
Basic pay is only the starting figure. BAH and BAS are additional allowances, and Guard/Reserve drill pay has separate rules. The pay chart is identical across branches at equivalent federal grades, while lender underwriting must document actual continuing income.
2026 Military Pay Lookup Tool
Choose a pay grade and creditable years of service to locate the applicable 2026 monthly basic pay figure. The lookup displays published pay rates, not after-tax take-home pay. [1]
Find Your 2026 Basic Pay
Use the existing military pay lookup below. Confirm your grade and pay-entry date on your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES).
The embedded lookup is preserved from the existing page. If your figures differ from the official DFAS table, rely on DFAS and your pay office.
Check Your LES
Match the pay-grade field, pay-entry base date and the BASIC PAY entitlement. A promotion or longevity threshold changes the correct cell; deductions do not alter the published rate.
What The Lookup Excludes
BAH, BAS, special or incentive pays, bonuses, taxes, TSP, SGLI and allotments are not included in these basic-pay amounts.
For related calculations, the Military Pay Center includes military compensation topics and the 2026 military pay raise calculator addresses changes across pay years.
2026 Military Pay: Popular Ranks and Amounts
These are gross monthly basic-pay examples from the 2026 published tables, effective January 1, 2026. Annualized figures multiply the monthly rate by 12 when the rate could apply for an entire year. The introductory E-1 rate lasts less than four months and cannot be annualized. [2]
| Grade and service bracket | Monthly base pay | Annualized base pay | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-1, first 4 months | $2,225.70 | Not applicable | Reduced initial rate |
| E-1, after 4 months | $2,407.20 | $28,886.40 | Standard E-1 rate |
| E-3, 2 years or less | $2,836.80 | $34,041.60 | Entry longevity bracket |
| E-5, 2 years or less | $3,342.90 | $40,114.80 | Sergeant or Petty Officer Second Class, depending on branch |
| E-5, over 6 years | $4,110.00 | $49,320.00 | After crossing six-year pay threshold |
| E-7, over 10 years | $5,300.40 | $63,604.80 | Sergeant First Class / Chief Petty Officer equivalent |
| E-7, over 20 years | $6,245.70 | $74,948.40 | Not the same as 20 years exactly |
| W-1, 2 years or less | $4,056.60 | $48,679.20 | Entry warrant rate |
| W-5, over 20 years | $10,169.70 | $122,036.40 | First populated W-5 column |
| O-1, 2 years or less | $4,150.20 | $49,802.40 | Second Lieutenant / Ensign |
| O-3, over 14 years | $9,004.20 | $108,050.40 | Ordinary O-3 pay; O-3E can differ |
| O-10, over 20 years | $18,999.90 | $227,998.80 | 2026 maximum table payment under Level II cap |
The Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard use the same federal base-pay schedule for matching grades and creditable service. The rank names and occupational opportunities vary by branch, not the published basic-pay cell.
2026 Enlisted Military Pay Chart (E-1 Through E-9)
The 2026 enlisted basic-pay table covers E-1 through E-9 in monthly dollars. The special E-1 rate applies during the first four months of active duty; later E-1 service uses the standard $2,407.20 rate. [3]
| 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) | $2,225.70 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 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 |
E-5 Pay: A Step-by-Step Example
An E-5 earning $4,110.00 at over 6 years receives $49,320.00 in annualized basic pay. At over 10 years, that grade pays $4,395.30 per month, and at over 12 years, it levels at $4,421.70.
E-7 Pay: Army and Other Branches
At E-7, basic pay starts at $3,932.10 monthly in the first longevity bracket. It reaches $5,300.40 over 10 years and $7,067.40 over 26 years. Army Sergeant First Class and Navy Chief Petty Officer share this E-7 pay scale.
The 2026 military pay raise tables explain the 3.8% annual increase. This page provides the complete pay-chart reference rather than a projection or an estimate.
2026 Warrant Officer Pay Chart (W-1 Through W-5)
The 2026 warrant officer chart ranges from $4,056.60 per month for W-1 in the initial bracket to $13,308.30 for W-5 at over 38 years of creditable service. [4]
| 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 | $4,056.60 | $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 |
W-1 vs. W-5
W-1 with two years or less: $4,056.60 per month. W-5 over 20: $10,169.70. W-5 over 38: $13,308.30. These are pay cells, not guaranteed career progression dates.
What Blank W-5 Cells Mean
The published W-5 schedule starts at the over-20-years column. A dash means the schedule supplies no amount for that pairing, not a zero-dollar paycheck. Warrant officer appointments and service histories require individualized review.
2026 Commissioned Officer Pay Chart (O-1 Through O-10)
The 2026 commissioned officer table begins at $4,150.20 monthly for O-1 in the initial bracket. Senior officer cells are limited by federal Executive Schedule caps, and this ordinary officer table does not replace O-1E through O-3E rates. [5]
| 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 | $4,150.20 | $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 |
O-1 and O-3
O-1 at 2 years or less: $4,150.20 monthly. O-3 at over 8: $8,125.50 monthly; over 14: $9,004.20. Previous enlisted or warrant service may trigger a different O-1E, O-2E or O-3E row.
Executive Schedule Caps
In 2026, the published military ceiling for O-7 through O-10 is $18,999.90 monthly (Executive Schedule Level II), and for O-6 and below is $15,408.30 (Level V). Not every officer reaches a cap.
2026 Prior-Enlisted Officer Pay (O-1E, O-2E, O-3E)
Eligible O-1, O-2 and O-3 officers with qualifying prior enlisted or warrant officer service use separate 2026 pay rows. Their amounts can exceed the standard officer rate at the same rank and longevity. [6]
| 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-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 |
Example: At over 14 years, O-3E basic pay is $9,137.10 monthly, versus $9,004.20 for a regular O-3 at the same bracket. The $132.90 monthly difference is $1,594.80 annualized at a constant rate.
Separate cadet category: The 2026 basic-pay schedule also specifies $1,452.90 per month for qualifying academy cadets and midshipmen. This is not an E-, W- or O-grade longevity cell.
Who Qualifies for E Rates?
Under the applicable pay law and DoD rules, the special rates generally require more than four years of qualifying prior active enlisted or warrant service. Qualifying Reserve retirement points can count under specific rules; an “E” suffix is not automatically assigned to every officer who previously enlisted.
How to Verify
Confirm prior service credit with your service finance office and compare the appropriate O-1E/O-2E/O-3E row with the BASIC PAY line on your LES. The pay-entry base date and the qualifying prior-service test are distinct checks.
How to Read a Military Pay Chart and Your LES
Find your current pay grade in the first column and your creditable service duration in the correct longevity column. The chart shows monthly basic pay, not total compensation or the deposit in your account. [14]
Use your current E-, W- or O-grade, not merely a branch-specific rank title.
Match the LES pay-entry base date to years of creditable service, not years in the current rank.
“Over 6” means more than six completed years. Six years exactly stays in the preceding bracket.
Check monthly BASIC PAY; account for prorated months, promotions and adjustments separately.
| Pay grade | Examples of rank titles | Pay interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 | Private / Seaman Recruit / Airman Basic | Same pay grade, branch-specific title |
| E-3 | Private First Class / Seaman / Airman First Class | Initial pay bracket: $2,836.80 |
| E-5 | Sergeant / Petty Officer Second Class / Staff Sergeant | Initial pay bracket: $3,342.90 |
| E-7 | Sergeant First Class / Chief Petty Officer / Master Sergeant | Initial pay bracket: $3,932.10 |
| E-9 | Sergeant Major / Master Chief Petty Officer / Chief Master Sergeant | Special senior enlisted positions have a separate fixed rate |
| W-1 | Warrant Officer 1 | First table cell: $4,056.60 |
| O-1 | Second Lieutenant / Ensign | First table cell: $4,150.20 |
| O-3 | Captain / Lieutenant | Ordinary and prior-service rows differ |
Gross Basic Pay vs. Take-Home Pay
Example: An E-5 earning $4,110.00 monthly in basic pay may receive additional allowances, but taxes, SGLI, TSP and other deductions affect net pay. A half-month deposit is not the amount in the monthly pay chart.
Do Not Treat Dashes as Salary
Blank or dashed cells mean the published basic-pay table has no amount for that grade/longevity combination. They are not a $0 rate and should not be extrapolated from adjacent columns.
For more detail on reading earnings and deductions, check the LES guidance from DFAS. A lender underwriting a VA mortgage may request current LES statements and information about anticipated service continuation.
2026 BAH, BAS, Taxes and Total Military Compensation
Basic pay is only one part of compensation. BAH and BAS are separate allowances, so someone with $4,110.00 in base pay may receive substantially more in total monthly cash entitlements. [8]
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
BAH depends on duty-station location, grade and with- or without-dependents status, and may be affected by housing assignment and individual rate protection. Do not use another ZIP code’s allowance when budgeting a PCS move. Review the 2026 BAH rates.
Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)
Published 2026 BAS rates are $476.95 per month for enlisted members and $328.48 for officers. BAS is intended to offset the service member’s food costs, not to cover every household member’s meals.
Worked Example: E-5 With Over 6 Years of Service
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+
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The $2,100 BAH is hypothetical, not a quoted 2026 duty-station rate. This $6,686.95 is before income taxes on taxable components, payroll deductions and any other allowances or special pays. Annualized total equals $80,243.40 only if all components persist for 12 months; the correct actual amounts come from your LES and orders.
Usually Taxable
Basic military pay is generally subject to federal income tax unless a qualifying exclusion applies. Some bonuses and specialty pays are also taxable.
Typically Excluded From Federal Income Tax
Qualifying BAH and BAS are generally not subject to federal income tax. This federal-tax distinction is not the same as a lender declaring the income eligible or stable for underwriting.
For PCS-related changes, explore the PCS move guide and review any updated BAH estimate before signing a housing contract.
2026 National Guard and Reserve Drill Pay
A traditional Guard or Reserve drill weekend is paid under a separate drill table, not as a full month of active-duty pay. One drill period is commonly four hours, and a standard two-day training weekend often includes four drill periods. [7]
| Grade and creditable service | One drill | Four drills | Illustrative context |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-1, standard rate | $80.24 | $320.96 | Four paid drill periods |
| E-3, 2 years or less | $94.56 | $378.24 | Four paid drill periods |
| E-5, over 6 years | $137.00 | $548.00 | Four paid drill periods |
| E-5, over 10 years | $146.51 | $586.04 | Four paid drill periods |
| E-7, over 10 years | $176.68 | $706.72 | Four paid drill periods |
When Active-Duty Orders Change the Math
Reservists serving on qualifying active-duty orders generally receive the appropriate active-duty basic pay for time served, with the applicable allowances and orders rules. Do not assume the four-drill weekend payment is a recurring full-time salary.
Drill Pay and Mortgages
A VA lender may assess recurring Reserve income using verified historical receipt and expected continuation. A single high-pay month, annual training payment or mobilization will not necessarily support ongoing qualifying income.
Confirm drill periods and pay categories with your finance office. The military income qualification guide covers how ongoing allowances and supplemental pay are assessed for a mortgage.
How Military Base Pay and Allowances Count for a VA Loan
VA mortgage lenders generally review verified ongoing military income, not an online pay-table estimate. Active-duty basic pay can often be used, while BAH, BAS and certain variable pays require evidence of amount and expected continuation. [12]
Provide the LES, service documentation and a VA Certificate of Eligibility when needed; these serve different purposes.
Underwriters assess remaining service, expected reenlistment or continuation, and projected BAH after relocation.
Qualifying income, monthly debts and VA loan requirements all matter. A higher LES entitlement total does not mean unlimited buying power.
Compare rates, points, funded fees, cash to close and total payments using comparable offers, not just a maximum eligible payment.
Worked Example: Potential Non-Taxable Income Gross-Up
Continue the hypothetical E-5 example: $4,110.00 taxable basic pay + $2,100.00 verified BAH + $476.95 verified BAS totals $6,686.95 in cash income before deductions. For debt-to-income calculation only, VA guidance permits qualifying tax-free income to be considered at 125%. An illustrative adjusted figure is $7,331.19: $4,110.00 + ($2,576.95 × 1.25). This is not cash received, does not apply to VA residual-income analysis, and does not promise lender approval.
First-Time VA Buyer
Get a lender-reviewed housing budget before using the gross pay chart to pick a purchase price. Verify BAH at the intended post-PCS duty location and estimate both property taxes and insurance.
Repeat Use or Refinance
Repeat VA borrowers still need sustainable income and adequate benefit entitlement. Review potential remaining VA entitlement and, if refinancing, whether VA IRRRL eligibility applies.
Disabled Veteran or Surviving Spouse
VA disability compensation and eligible survivor benefits are separate from active military basic pay. Document the actual award and income continuity; funding-fee exemptions may apply under the VA funding fee rules.
Budgeting Beyond Base Pay
Calculate a full potential housing payment and closing costs using the VA affordability guide and closing costs calculator rather than applying a fixed percentage to pay-table figures.
Changing Careers or Leaving Active Duty
If you expect to separate from service before applying for a mortgage, a lender may need civilian employment or business-income verification rather than assuming military pay and BAH will continue. Service members exploring entrepreneurship can review SBA business loans with reduced Veteran fees as a separate financing topic, not as a substitute for documenting VA mortgage income.
When you are ready to compare actual lender terms, you can begin with VA loan qualification. Verify licensing, lender overlays and the full loan estimate before making a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the military pay questions most often searched by grade, service branch, longevity and total compensation.
What Is the Military Pay Raise in 2026?
The 2026 military basic-pay adjustment is 3.8%, effective January 1, 2026, under the statutory pay-raise formula. Individual compensation changes can differ because of promotions, longevity thresholds and separate allowance adjustments.
How Much Does an E-1 Make in 2026?
An E-1 in the first four months of active service has a monthly basic-pay rate of $2,225.70. The standard E-1 rate after four months is $2,407.20 per month, before deductions.
How Much Does an E-3 Make in the Army in 2026?
An E-3 with two years or less of creditable service has $2,836.80 in monthly basic pay. Over 2 years the rate is $3,015.00, and over 3 years it is $3,198.00. Army and other branches use the same grade-based pay schedule.
How Much Does an E-5 Make in the Army in 2026?
The 2026 E-5 basic-pay rate is $3,342.90 per month in the first longevity bracket, $4,110.00 over 6 years, $4,395.30 over 10 years and $4,421.70 over 12 years. BAH, BAS and other entitlements are separate.
What Is E-7 Pay in 2026?
E-7 basic pay begins at $3,932.10 monthly for two years or less, rises to $5,300.40 over 10 years and reaches $7,067.40 over 26 years. An Army Sergeant First Class and Navy Chief Petty Officer are both E-7 grade examples.
How Much Does a Warrant Officer Make?
A W-1 earns $4,056.60 in the initial 2026 longevity bracket. A W-3 at over 14 years earns $7,397.70. W-5 starts at $10,169.70 over 20 years and can reach $13,308.30 over 38 years.
What Is O-1 Basic Pay in 2026?
An O-1 with two years or less of service receives $4,150.20 per month in basic pay. Certain officers with qualifying prior enlisted or warrant service use the separate O-1E rate instead.
Does the Military Pay Chart Include BAH or BAS?
No. The military pay tables list basic pay. In 2026 the monthly BAS schedule is $476.95 for enlisted members and $328.48 for officers. BAH is based on location, grade, dependent status and eligibility.
Does the Army Pay More Than the Navy or Marines at the Same Grade?
No. The published basic-pay amount is the same at a matching federal pay grade and creditable-service bracket. Duties, specialty compensation, location, allowances and individual entitlements can make total compensation different.
What Does “Over 6” Mean on a Military Pay Chart?
It means strictly more than six years of creditable service for pay purposes. At precisely six completed years, you remain in the preceding longevity bracket until you cross the threshold.
What Is the Highest Military Base Pay in 2026?
The published O-9 and O-10 table cells are capped at $18,999.90 monthly. The ordinary E-9 table maximum is $10,729.20, but specifically designated senior enlisted advisors have a separate $11,166.90 monthly amount.
How Much Do Guard and Reserve Members Make for a Drill Weekend?
Drill pay depends on grade, longevity and the number of paid periods. A four-drill example for an E-5 with over six years in 2026 is $548.00; one drill is $137.00. Other duty periods and active-duty orders use different rules.
Can BAH and BAS Be Used to Qualify for a VA Loan?
Often yes, when the amounts and expected continuation are verified under VA and lender underwriting rules. Qualifying tax-free income may be grossed up for DTI calculations, not for residual income. PCS timing and changing allowances require care.
Will My Military Basic Pay Be the Same After Four Years?
Not necessarily. Pay increases with longevity steps and promotion. For an E-5, the 2026 over-four-year column is $3,946.80 monthly, while the over-six-year column is $4,110.00. Grade and total creditable years are the two basic-pay inputs.
Sources and Verification
2026 pay values are checked against the federal Schedule 8 tables and official DFAS pay tables, not an estimated raise. The prior-enlisted and special senior enlisted exceptions use official notes.
- DFAS: Military Pay Tables (2026 active and reserve)
- White House: Schedule 8, Uniformed Services Pay, Effective 2026
- DFAS: Enlisted Basic Pay, 2026
- DFAS: Warrant Officer Basic Pay, 2026
- DFAS: Commissioned Officer Basic Pay, 2026
- DFAS: Prior-Enlisted Officer Basic Pay, 2026
- DFAS: Enlisted Reserve Component Drill Pay, 2026
- Defense Department: 2026 BAS Rates
- Defense Department: BAH Lookup
- Congressional Research Service: Military Pay Raise, January 2026
- United States Code: 37 USC 203, Military Basic Pay
- VA Lenders Handbook, M26-7 Chapter 4: Military Income
- VA: Funding Fee and Closing Costs
- DFAS: How to Read Your LES
See What Your Verified Military Income Can Support.
Compare VA loan offers using your LES, duty-location allowances, household debts and a realistic budget. Pay-table rates alone are not a mortgage approval.