Complete base pay tables for every rank, from E-1 to O-10. Understand every component of your military compensation — base pay, BAH, BAS, and special pays — with numbers updated for 2026.
The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorized a 4.5% across-the-board pay raise for all active-duty service members, effective January 1, 2026. This is one of the largest military pay raises in years, designed to keep pace with inflation and improve retention.
Pay is determined by two factors: your pay grade (your rank category, e.g. E-5, O-3) and your years of service (YOS). The DoD publishes a new pay table each January; rates increase at each YOS step.
Monthly base pay for enlisted service members. All amounts in USD per month. Select common years-of-service breakpoints are shown — full tables available in the MilWallet calculator.
| Grade | <2 yrs | 2 yrs | 4 yrs | 6 yrs | 8 yrs | 10 yrs | 12 yrs | 16 yrs | 20 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enlisted Grades | |||||||||
| E-1 (Pvt/E1) | $2,085 | $2,085 | $2,085 | $2,085 | $2,085 | $2,085 | $2,085 | $2,085 | $2,085 |
| E-2 (PV2/SN) | $2,339 | $2,339 | $2,339 | $2,339 | $2,339 | $2,339 | $2,339 | $2,339 | $2,339 |
| E-3 (PFC/SN2) | $2,459 | $2,614 | $2,748 | $2,748 | $2,748 | $2,748 | $2,748 | $2,748 | $2,748 |
| E-4 (Spc/Cpl) | $2,723 | $2,862 | $3,011 | $3,112 | $3,231 | $3,231 | $3,231 | $3,231 | $3,231 |
| E-5 (Sgt/P01) | $2,968 | $3,172 | $3,294 | $3,426 | $3,597 | $3,760 | $3,903 | $3,903 | $3,903 |
| E-6 (SSG/P02) | $3,245 | $3,569 | $3,693 | $3,811 | $4,061 | $4,202 | $4,332 | $4,548 | $4,627 |
| E-7 (SFC/CPO) | $3,747 | $4,091 | $4,240 | $4,387 | $4,644 | $4,789 | $4,937 | $5,201 | $5,459 |
| E-8 (MSG/SCPO) | $4,380 | $4,380 | $4,380 | $4,380 | $4,691 | $4,952 | $5,109 | $5,439 | $5,749 |
| E-9 (SGM/MCPO) | $5,348 | $5,348 | $5,348 | $5,348 | $5,348 | $5,692 | $5,854 | $6,199 | $6,599 |
Source: DoD Military Compensation, 2026 Basic Pay Table. Pay shown is monthly base pay before taxes and deductions. Allowances (BAH, BAS) are additional and tax-free.
Monthly base pay for commissioned officers. Warrant officer grades (W-1 through W-5) are available in the MilWallet calculator.
| Grade | <2 yrs | 2 yrs | 4 yrs | 6 yrs | 8 yrs | 10 yrs | 12 yrs | 16 yrs | 20 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commissioned Officers | |||||||||
| O-1 (2LT/ENS) | $3,825 | $3,984 | $4,820 | $4,820 | $4,820 | $4,820 | $4,820 | $4,820 | $4,820 |
| O-2 (1LT/LTJG) | $4,408 | $5,019 | $5,988 | $5,988 | $5,988 | $5,988 | $5,988 | $5,988 | $5,988 |
| O-3 (CPT/LT) | $5,101 | $5,782 | $6,515 | $6,940 | $7,241 | $7,477 | $7,769 | $7,972 | $7,972 |
| O-4 (MAJ/LCDR) | $5,807 | $6,724 | $7,173 | $7,417 | $7,934 | $8,390 | $8,768 | $9,405 | $9,588 |
| O-5 (LTC/CDR) | $6,726 | $7,582 | $8,109 | $8,235 | $8,821 | $9,213 | $9,605 | $10,332 | $10,847 |
| O-6 (COL/CAPT) | $8,070 | $8,863 | $9,435 | $9,435 | $9,581 | $9,961 | $10,654 | $11,546 | $12,378 |
| O-7 (BG/RDML) | $10,679 | $11,172 | $11,400 | $11,582 | $11,905 | $12,271 | $12,647 | $14,176 | $14,176 |
| O-8 (MG/RADM) | $12,741 | $13,177 | $13,177 | $13,177 | $13,177 | $13,177 | $13,177 | $14,045 | $14,900 |
| O-9 (LTG/VADM) | $14,483 | $14,483 | $14,483 | $14,483 | $14,483 | $14,483 | $14,483 | $14,900 | $15,889 |
| O-10 (GEN/ADM) | $17,315 | $17,315 | $17,315 | $17,315 | $17,315 | $17,315 | $17,315 | $17,315 | $17,315 |
Note: O-10 pay is capped at Level II of the Executive Schedule ($17,315/month in 2026).
Base pay is only part of your compensation. Most service members also receive BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) and BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) — both are tax-free, which significantly increases their effective value.
BAH is calculated based on three factors: your pay grade, your dependency status (with or without dependents), and your duty station ZIP code. Rates are set to cover median rental costs in each Military Housing Area (MHA) and are updated annually each January.
BAH rates vary dramatically by location. A San Diego-based E-5 with dependents may receive $3,200+/month in BAH, while the same grade in a rural assignment receives the national average of ~$1,194/month. Location matters enormously for total compensation.
→ See the full 2026 BAH Rates by Location guide
BAS is a flat monthly rate paid to all service members to help cover food costs. In 2026:
Unlike BAH, BAS does not vary by location or dependency status. It is paid to all active-duty members regardless of rank or assignment.
BAH and BAS are not counted as federal taxable income. For an E-5 in a mid-cost-of-living area with $1,500/month BAH + $452/month BAS = $1,952/month in tax-free allowances. At a 22% marginal tax rate, this is equivalent to earning an additional $2,503/month in taxable wages. This "tax multiplier" effect makes military compensation significantly more valuable than base pay alone suggests.
Beyond base pay and standard allowances, many service members are eligible for additional special and incentive pays based on their career field, assignment, or deployment.
| Pay Type | Amount | Who Qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Combat Pay (HDIP) | $225/month | Assignment to a combat zone or imminent danger area |
| Aviation Career Incentive Pay | Up to $1,000/month | Aviators and flight crew based on years in aviation service |
| Special Duty Assignment Pay (SDAP) | $75–$600/month | Recruiters, drill sergeants, instructors, certain HQ assignments |
| Submarine Pay | $75–$835/month | Submarine-qualified enlisted and officers |
| Special Forces Pay (CSRB) | Up to $3,000/month | Special operations career fields (18-series, SEALs, PJ, CCT, etc.) |
| Hardship Duty Pay (HDP) | $50–$150/month | Assignments in designated hardship locations |
| Sea Pay (Career) | $50–$770/month | Navy/Coast Guard enlisted members assigned to sea duty |
| Hostile Fire Pay | $225/month | Direct exposure to hostile fire, explosion, or mines |
| Medical/Dental Officer Pay | Up to $5,000/month | Physicians, dentists, and other healthcare officers (specialty-based) |
| Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) | Up to $90,000 total | Critical-shortage MOS/AFSC reenlistment, varies by branch/career field |
Note: Eligibility and exact amounts vary by branch of service, career field, and assignment. Check your branch's HR/manpower office or MyPay for your individual entitlements.
When comparing military pay to civilian salaries, you need to account for the full picture — not just base pay. Here's what a typical E-5 at 6 years of service in a medium-cost area might look like:
| Component | Monthly | Annual | Tax Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Pay (E-5, 6 YOS) | $3,426 | $41,112 | Taxable |
| BAH (medium-cost area, w/ deps) | $1,800 | $21,600 | Tax-free |
| BAS (Enlisted) | $453 | $5,436 | Tax-free |
| TRICARE Health (value) | ~$500 | ~$6,000 | Benefit |
| TSP Match (5% gov't match) | $171 | $2,056 | Deferred |
| Total Compensation | ~$6,350 | ~$76,204 | — |
A civilian equivalent would need to earn approximately $85,000–$95,000 in gross wages to replicate this total compensation after accounting for the tax-free status of allowances and the value of military benefits (TRICARE, retirement, etc.).
Every service member's situation is different. BAH varies by location, special pays vary by career field, and state taxes vary by where you file. Use MilWallet's free tools to see your exact numbers: