Military Pay Calculator 2026

Base pay is the primary component of military compensation. It is determined by two factors: your pay grade (rank) and your years of service. Base pay increases as you advance in rank and accumulate time in service.

Base pay is subject to federal and state income taxes, as well as Social Security and Medicare withholding (FICA).

The 2026 military pay raise was 3.8% over 2025 rates, effective January 1, 2026.

BAH helps service members cover the cost of housing in the civilian market when government quarters are not available. The amount depends on:

• Duty station location — Based on the Military Housing Area (MHA) of your duty station
• Pay grade — Higher ranks receive higher BAH
• Dependency status — Members with dependents receive a higher rate

BAH is tax-free and is not included in your taxable income. This calculator includes rates for 338 MHA locations across all 50 states.

BAS offsets the cost of meals for service members. Unlike BAH, BAS rates are the same regardless of location. The only distinction is between enlisted and officer rates:

• Enlisted: $476.95/month (2026)
• Officers (including Warrant Officers): $328.48/month (2026)

BAS is tax-free. Enlisted members in basic training or receiving meals at government expense may have BAS reduced.

This calculator covers the three main components of regular military pay. Additional pays and allowances that are not included:

• COLA — Cost of Living Allowance (for high-cost or overseas locations)
• Special Duty Pay — Hazardous duty, flight pay, dive pay, etc.
• Bonuses — Enlistment, reenlistment, and retention bonuses
• Combat Zone Tax Exclusion — Tax-free base pay in combat zones
• Clothing Allowance — Annual uniform maintenance allowance
• Family Separation Allowance — When separated from dependents due to orders

For a complete picture of your compensation, check your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) or contact your unit finance office.

BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly payment to help service members cover housing costs when government quarters are not provided. The amount varies by pay grade, dependency status, and duty station location. BAH is tax-free.

This calculator includes BAH data for 338 Military Housing Areas so you can look up rates for virtually any duty station in the United States.

BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) is a monthly payment to offset the cost of meals. For 2026, the enlisted BAS rate is $476.95 per month and the officer rate (including warrant officers) is $328.48 per month. BAS is tax-free.

Base pay is subject to federal and state income tax. However, BAH and BAS are tax-free allowances and are not included in taxable income.

This means a significant portion of total military compensation is not taxed, which increases the effective value of military pay compared to equivalent civilian salaries. The "Civilian Equivalent" line in the results estimates what you would need to earn pre-tax in a civilian job to match your military compensation.

Military base pay rates are typically adjusted on January 1 each year based on the annual pay raise authorized by Congress. The 2026 military pay raise was 3.8%.

BAH rates are also updated annually, usually effective January 1, based on local housing market surveys conducted by the Defense Travel Management Office.

This calculator includes BAH rates for 338 Military Housing Areas (MHAs) which cover all standard duty stations within the United States. If you cannot find your exact location, try searching for a nearby city or the county name.

For your exact rate by ZIP code, use the official BAH calculator: Defense Travel Management Office BAH Calculator