Updated June 2026
2026 Military Pay by Grade
Detailed 2026 base pay tables for every military pay grade, from E-1 through O-10. Each page includes the full pay-by-years-of-service table, BAH rates, total compensation examples, and FAQs. All rates include the 3.8% pay raise effective January 1, 2026.
Enlisted (E-1 through E-9)
Warrant Officer (W-1 through W-5)
Officer (O-1 through O-10)
Prior Enlisted Officer (O-1E through O-3E)
How military base pay works
Your military base pay is set by two things only: your pay grade (rank) and your years of service. It is the same DoD pay table for every branch — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Base pay is taxable, and it is only one piece of your paycheck; most service members also draw tax-free allowances on top of it. The 2026 tables above include the 3.8% pay raise effective January 1, 2026.
- Military Pay Calculator — your full 2026 paycheck: base pay plus BAH and BAS for your grade and duty station.
- 2026 Military Pay Chart — every rank by years of service in one table.
- The 2026 pay raise (3.8%) and how military pay raises work.
Allowances: BAH and BAS
On top of base pay you receive tax-free allowances. BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) varies by duty-station ZIP code, pay grade, and dependent status; BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) is a flat monthly food allowance. Because they are tax-free, allowances are worth more than the same amount of taxable base pay.
- BAH rates by location and grade, plus the BAH calculator.
- BAS calculator — 2026 enlisted and officer food allowance.
- How BAH is calculated and BAH rates by state.
Reserve & National Guard drill pay
Reserve and Guard members are paid by drill period rather than a monthly salary. One drill day equals one day of active-duty base pay, and a typical drill weekend is four drill periods (often described as "four drills").
- Drill Pay Calculator and the 2026 drill pay chart.
- 2026 drill pay guide — how weekend drill and annual training pay work.
Taxes and reading your LES
Base pay is taxed at the federal level (and by some states); BAH and BAS are not. Everything shows up on your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES).
- Military pay after taxes and the after-tax pay breakdown.
- How to read your LES and the LES calculator.
Beyond active-duty pay
- Military retirement — High-3, BRS, Reserve/Guard, the TSP, and survivor benefits.
- The GI Bill — Post-9/11 education benefits, transferring to dependents, and Yellow Ribbon.
- VA disability compensation — if you have a service-connected condition.
- State veteran benefits — what your state offers veterans and retirees.
Frequently asked questions
How is military base pay calculated?
Base pay is determined solely by your pay grade and your years of service, using the DoD basic pay table. It is the same for every branch. The 2026 table reflects a 3.8% raise effective January 1, 2026. Allowances like BAH and BAS are added on top and are tax-free.
Is military pay the same in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines?
Yes. Base pay is identical across all six branches for the same pay grade and years of service. Only special and incentive pays (flight pay, sea pay, jump pay, and similar) differ between branches and jobs.
What is the difference between base pay, BAH, and BAS?
Base pay is your taxable salary set by grade and years of service. BAH is a tax-free housing allowance that varies by duty-station ZIP code, grade, and dependents. BAS is a flat tax-free food allowance. BAH and BAS are not taxed, which makes them worth more than the same amount of base pay.
How much is the 2026 military pay raise?
The 2026 basic pay raise is 3.8%, effective January 1, 2026, authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act. It applies as the same percentage across every pay grade.