Updated February 2026

2026 Drill Pay Chart

Complete 2026 drill pay tables for Reserve and National Guard members, showing weekend drill pay (4 drills) for all ranks from E-1 through O-10. Each cell equals monthly base pay ÷ 30 × 4. Use our Drill Pay Calculator to estimate your annual drill income including Annual Training.

E-5 Drill Weekend (6 yrs)

$548.00

4 drills × $137.00 each

E-6 Drill Weekend (10 yrs)

$634.60

4 drills × $158.65 each

Standard Drills/Year

12 weekends × 4 drills

Annual Training

15 days

Paid at daily rate (base pay ÷ 30)

Grade	2 or less	3	4	6	8	10	12	14	16	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40
E-1	$320.96	$320.96	$320.96	$320.96	$320.96	$320.96	$320.96	$320.96	$320.96	$320.96	$320.96	$320.96	$320.96	$320.96	$320.96	$320.96	$320.96	$320.96	$320.96	$320.96	$320.96
E-2	$359.72	$359.72	$359.72	$359.72	$359.72	$359.72	$359.72	$359.72	$359.72	$359.72	$359.72	$359.72	$359.72	$359.72	$359.72	$359.72	$359.72	$359.72	$359.72	$359.72	$359.72
E-3	$378.24	$426.40	$426.40	$426.40	$426.40	$426.40	$426.40	$426.40	$426.40	$426.40	$426.40	$426.40	$426.40	$426.40	$426.40	$426.40	$426.40	$426.40	$426.40	$426.40	$426.40
E-4	$418.96	$464.32	$487.80	$508.72	$508.72	$508.72	$508.72	$508.72	$508.72	$508.72	$508.72	$508.72	$508.72	$508.72	$508.72	$508.72	$508.72	$508.72	$508.72	$508.72	$508.72
E-5	$445.72	$503.44	$526.24	$548.00	$573.32	$586.04	$589.56	$589.56	$589.56	$589.56	$589.56	$589.56	$589.56	$589.56	$589.56	$589.56	$589.56	$589.56	$589.56	$589.56	$589.56
E-6	$453.48	$521.08	$542.52	$564.76	$615.04	$634.60	$672.44	$684.04	$692.48	$702.36	$702.36	$702.36	$702.36	$702.36	$702.36	$702.36	$702.36	$702.36	$702.36	$702.36	$702.36
E-7	$524.28	$594.16	$623.08	$645.84	$684.76	$706.72	$745.56	$778.00	$800.12	$823.64	$832.76	$863.36	$879.76	$942.32	$942.32	$942.32	$942.32	$942.32	$942.32	$942.32	$942.32
E-8	—	—	—	—	$754.20	$787.60	$808.24	$832.96	$859.76	$908.16	$932.72	$974.44	$997.56	$1,054.52	$1,054.52	$1,075.64	$1,075.64	$1,075.64	$1,075.64	$1,075.64	$1,075.64
E-9	—	—	—	—	—	$921.36	$942.20	$968.48	$999.48	$1,030.76	$1,080.68	$1,123.08	$1,167.56	$1,235.72	$1,235.72	$1,297.36	$1,297.36	$1,362.32	$1,362.32	$1,430.56	$1,430.56

Each cell shows pay for a standard drill weekend (4 drill periods). 1 drill period = 1/30th of monthly base pay. Dash (—) indicates the rank is not available at that years-of-service level.

Grade	2 or less	3	4	6	8	10	12	14	16	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40
W-1	$535.76	$610.24	$646.76	$674.72	$718.20	$747.44	$791.48	$822.32	$852.92	$884.40	$908.16	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
W-2	$610.12	$684.80	$700.60	$738.72	$789.12	$818.16	$850.48	$875.12	$901.80	$922.24	$944.28	—	$973.80	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
W-3	$694.76	$754.20	$790.04	$822.72	$868.16	$910.36	$949.68	$988.92	$1,015.80	$1,056.04	$1,086.40	—	$1,125.12	$1,148.76	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
W-4	$760.36	$842.48	$867.28	$907.80	$948.20	$988.20	$1,040.04	$1,091.44	$1,143.52	$1,183.48	$1,222.84	$1,261.36	$1,293.40	$1,339.40	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
W-5	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	$1,079.52	$1,133.72	$1,188.24	$1,243.24	—	$1,298.24	—	—	—	—	—

Each cell shows pay for a standard drill weekend (4 drill periods). Dash (—) indicates the rank is not available at that years-of-service level.

Grade	2 or less	3	4	6	8	10	12	14	16	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40
O-1	$553.36	$696.32	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
O-2	$637.60	$836.32	$864.60	$882.36	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
O-3	$737.88	$902.72	$984.36	$1,031.60	$1,083.40	$1,116.76	$1,171.76	$1,200.56	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
O-4	$839.28	$1,036.48	$1,050.80	$1,110.96	$1,175.52	$1,256.00	$1,318.44	$1,361.92	$1,386.88	$1,401.32	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
O-5	$972.72	$1,171.60	$1,185.88	$1,233.28	$1,261.52	$1,323.80	$1,369.56	$1,428.68	$1,518.84	$1,561.84	$1,604.36	$1,652.64	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
O-6	$1,166.84	$1,366.00	—	$1,371.24	$1,430.00	$1,437.80	—	$1,519.52	$1,663.96	$1,748.72	$1,833.48	$1,881.72	$1,930.56	$2,025.16	—	$2,054.44	—	—	—	—	—
O-7	$1,608.16	$1,717.40	—	$1,743.52	$1,804.92	$1,862.28	—	$1,998.48	—	$2,079.08	$2,079.08	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
O-8	$1,941.48	$2,045.04	—	$2,054.44	$2,116.92	$2,187.52	—	$2,245.60	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
O-9	$2,325.80	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
O-10	$2,465.48	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Each cell shows pay for a standard drill weekend (4 drill periods). Commissioned officers with prior enlisted service (O-1E, O-2E, O-3E) receive higher drill pay — see the Drill Pay Calculator for those rates. Dash (—) indicates the rank is not available at that years-of-service level.

Annual Drill Pay Estimates (2026)

Estimated annual drill income for common ranks based on 48 standard drills (12 weekends) plus 15 days of Annual Training.

Rank (YOS)	Monthly Base Pay	Drill Weekend	48 Drills (12 weekends)	15-Day AT	Total Annual
E-4 (4 yrs)	$3,658.50	$487.80	$5,853.60	$1,829.25	$7,682.85
E-5 (6 yrs)	$4,110.00	$548.00	$6,576.00	$2,055.00	$8,631.00
E-6 (10 yrs)	$4,759.50	$634.60	$7,615.20	$2,379.75	$9,994.95
O-1 (2 or less)	$4,150.20	$553.36	$6,640.32	$2,075.10	$8,715.42
O-3 (4 yrs)	$7,382.70	$984.36	$11,812.32	$3,691.35	$15,503.67

Estimates based on standard 48 drill periods (12 weekends) and 15 days Annual Training. Does not include additional ADOS, mobilization, or special duty pay. Drill weekend = 4 drills. AT daily rate = base pay ÷ 30.

How Drill Pay Works

1 Drill = 1/30th of Monthly Base Pay

Reserve and National Guard drill pay is calculated from your monthly base pay. One drill period pays 1/30th of your monthly base pay — the same as one day of active duty pay. This rate is set by law and is the same regardless of whether you drill on a weekday or weekend.

For example, an E-5 with 6 years of service has a monthly base pay of $4,110.00. One drill period = $4,110.00 ÷ 30 = $137.00.

Standard Drill Weekend = 4 Drill Periods

A standard drill weekend consists of 4 drill periods:

Saturday AM — 1 drill period
Saturday PM — 1 drill period
Sunday AM — 1 drill period
Sunday PM — 1 drill period

So a drill weekend pays: monthly base pay ÷ 30 × 4. For that same E-5: $137.00 × 4 = $548.00 per drill weekend.

Annual Training = 15 Consecutive Days

In addition to monthly drill weekends, Reserve and Guard members serve 15 days of Annual Training (AT) each year. AT is typically a 2-week field exercise or training event at your unit's training site or another installation.

AT is paid at the daily rate (1/30th of monthly base pay per day). For an E-5 with 6 years: $137.00 × 15 = $2,055.00 for the full AT period.

Additional Training Days (ADOS, ADT, etc.)

Some Reserve and Guard members receive additional paid duty beyond the standard 48 drills and 15 days AT. These include:

ADOS (Active Duty for Operational Support) — Extended active duty orders, often 30+ days. Includes BAH if orders are 30+ days.
ADT (Active Duty for Training) — Additional training beyond AT, such as schools or courses.
SAD (State Active Duty) — National Guard members activated by the governor for state emergencies. Pay rates vary by state.
Mobilization (Title 10) — Federal activation for deployment or mission support. Full active duty pay and benefits apply.

These additional duty days can significantly increase your total annual military income beyond the standard drill and AT pay shown in the tables above.

Data Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a drill weekend pay?

A standard drill weekend pays 4 drill periods, each worth 1/30th of your monthly base pay. In 2026, an E-5 with 6 years of service earns $548.00 per drill weekend. An E-4 with 4 years earns $487.80, and an O-3 with 4 years earns $984.36. Pay increases with rank and years of service. See the full tables above for all ranks.

How is drill pay calculated?

Drill pay is based on your monthly base pay. One drill period equals 1/30th of your monthly base pay — the same as one day of active duty pay. A standard drill weekend has 4 periods (Saturday AM/PM and Sunday AM/PM), so your weekend pay = monthly base pay ÷ 30 × 4.

Example: E-5 with 6 years, base pay $4,110.00/month. One drill = $4,110.00 ÷ 30 = $137.00. Drill weekend = $137.00 × 4 = $548.00.

How many drill weekends per year?

The standard Reserve and National Guard commitment is 12 drill weekends per year (one per month), totaling 48 drill periods. Members also serve 15 days of Annual Training (AT). Some units may schedule additional training days, and members may volunteer for or be assigned extra duty through ADOS, ADT, or mobilization orders.

Do reservists get BAH?

Reservists and National Guard members do not receive BAH during standard drill weekends or Annual Training periods under 30 days. BAH is only authorized when on active duty orders of 30 or more consecutive days. This includes mobilizations, ADOS orders of 30+ days, and other qualifying active duty periods. The BAH rate is based on your duty station location, rank, and dependency status. Use our BAH Rate Lookup to find rates for your area.

Is drill pay taxable?

Yes, drill pay is fully taxable. It is subject to federal income tax, Social Security (FICA), and Medicare taxes, just like active duty base pay. Most states also tax drill pay as income. Drill pay is reported on your W-2 form at the end of the year.

If you travel more than 100 miles one way to your drill site, you may be able to deduct unreimbursed travel expenses. Use our Drill Pay After Deductions Calculator to estimate your net take-home drill pay.

Understanding Reserve & National Guard Drill Pay

The 2026 drill pay chart shows compensation for Reserve and National Guard service members per drill period. With the 3.8% pay raise, drill pay rates increased across all pay grades effective January 1, 2026. A typical drill weekend consists of 4 drill periods, so multiply the per-period amount by 4 for your weekend pay.

How Drill Pay Is Calculated

Each drill period pays 1/30th of monthly base pay. Since a standard drill weekend has 4 periods (one per half-day, Saturday AM, Saturday PM, Sunday AM, Sunday PM), your weekend gross pay equals (Monthly Base Pay / 30) x 4. Annual Training (AT) is paid at full active duty rates for the duration (typically 14 days).

Drill Weekend Schedule & Pay Periods

A standard drill weekend (known as a Unit Training Assembly or UTA) consists of 4 drill periods:

Saturday morning (1 period)
Saturday afternoon (1 period)
Sunday morning (1 period)
Sunday afternoon (1 period)

Most Reserve and Guard members drill one weekend per month (12 weekends = 48 drill periods per year) plus 14 days of Annual Training. Some units have additional training days (MUTA 6 or MUTA 8 weekends).

Reserve & Guard Pay vs. Active Duty Pay

Reserve and Guard members use the same base pay table as active duty. The difference is in how it's applied:

Drill pay: 1/30th of monthly base pay per period (4 periods per weekend)
Annual Training: Full daily active duty pay rate
Active duty orders (mobilization): Full active duty pay and benefits including BAH and BAS

Reserve/Guard members do NOT typically receive BAH or BAS during drill weekends (unless on orders over 30 days). Use the Drill Pay After Deductions calculator to see your net take-home pay.

Retirement Points & Reserve Retirement

Each drill period earns 1 retirement point. A standard year earns approximately 78 points: 48 drill periods + 15 AT days + 15 membership points. You need 20 qualifying years (50+ points each year) to earn a Reserve retirement, which begins paying at age 60 (or earlier if you have qualifying active duty service).

Use the Military Retirement Calculator to estimate your future retirement pay.

Annual Drill Pay Estimate

A typical year of Reserve/Guard service includes:

12 drill weekends (48 periods) = 48 x (base pay / 30)
14 days Annual Training = 14 x (base pay / 30)
Total annual = 62 periods x (base pay / 30)

Example: An E-5 with 8 years of service (base pay $3,847.80/mo) earns approximately $7,951/year from drill weekends and AT combined, before deductions.