What is the maximum E-1 pay in 2026?

The maximum base pay for an E-1 in 2026 is $2,407.20 per month ($28,886.40 per year). This is reached at 40+ years of service. Total compensation including BAH and BAS is significantly higher.

Yes, E-1 service members receive BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) in addition to base pay. BAH for an E-1 with dependents ranges from $1,134 to $5,067 per month depending on duty station location. BAH is a tax-free allowance. They also receive BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) of $476.95 per month.

Updated February 2026

E-1 Pay 2026 — Private

Q: How much does an E-1 make in 2026?

In 2026, an E-1 (Private) earns between $2,407.20 and $2,407.20 per month in base pay, depending on years of service. This does not include BAH or BAS allowances, which can add $1,500 to $5,500+ per month depending on location and dependency status.

Complete 2026 E-1 (Private) base pay table by years of service, plus BAH rates and total compensation breakdown. All rates include the 3.8% pay raise effective January 1, 2026.

Entry Pay (0 YOS)

$2,407.20/mo

$28,886.40/year

Max Pay

$2,407.20/mo

$28,886.40/year

BAH Range (w/ Dependents)

$1,134–$5,067

Across 338 locations

Enlisted BAS

$476.95/mo

Tax-free food allowance

E-1 Base Pay Table — 2026

Years of Service	Monthly Pay	Annual Pay
2 or less	$2,407.20	$28,886.40
2	$2,407.20	$28,886.40
3	$2,407.20	$28,886.40
4	$2,407.20	$28,886.40
6	$2,407.20	$28,886.40
8	$2,407.20	$28,886.40
10	$2,407.20	$28,886.40
12	$2,407.20	$28,886.40
14	$2,407.20	$28,886.40
16	$2,407.20	$28,886.40
18	$2,407.20	$28,886.40
20	$2,407.20	$28,886.40
22	$2,407.20	$28,886.40
24	$2,407.20	$28,886.40
26	$2,407.20	$28,886.40
28	$2,407.20	$28,886.40
30	$2,407.20	$28,886.40
32	$2,407.20	$28,886.40
34	$2,407.20	$28,886.40
36	$2,407.20	$28,886.40
38	$2,407.20	$28,886.40
40	$2,407.20	$28,886.40

All amounts reflect the 3.8% pay raise effective January 1, 2026. Source: DFAS.

E-1 BAH Rates — 2026 (With Dependents)

BAH for an E-1 with dependents ranges from $1,134 to $5,067 per month, with a national average of approximately $2,069/mo across 338 locations.

Top 5 Highest BAH Locations

Top 5 Lowest BAH Locations

Total Compensation Example — E-1 at 20 Years

Base Pay (20 YOS)$2,407.20

BAH (National Average, w/ Dependents)$2,069

BAS (Enlisted)$476.95

Estimated Monthly Total$4,953.15

Estimated Annual Total$59,437.80

BAH and BAS are tax-free allowances. Actual total compensation varies by duty station and dependency status. Use the Military Pay Calculator for a personalized estimate.

E-2 Private Second Class →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an E-1 make in 2026?

In 2026, an E-1 (Private) earns between $2,407.20 and $2,407.20 per month in base pay, depending on years of service. Total compensation including BAH and BAS is significantly higher.

What is the maximum E-1 pay?

The maximum base pay for an E-1 in 2026 is $2,407.20/month ($28,886.40/year), reached at 40+ years of service.

Does an E-1 get BAH?

Yes. In addition to base pay, E-1 service members receive BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) ranging from $1,134 to $5,067/month with dependents, depending on duty station. They also receive BAS of $476.95/month. Both are tax-free.

How E-1 pay changed in 2026

The 2026 raise added 3.8% to E-1 base pay: $88 more per month at 6 years of service ($1,058 a year) compared with the 2025 table.

Years of service	2025	2026	Change
Over 2 yrs	$2,319/mo	$2,407/mo	+$88 (3.8%)
Over 6 yrs	$2,319/mo	$2,407/mo	+$88 (3.8%)
Over 12 yrs	$2,319/mo	$2,407/mo	+$88 (3.8%)

Promotion is still the bigger lever: at 6 years of service, pinning on E-2 is worth $291 more per month in base pay alone ($3,488 a year) — before any change in BAH.

2025 figures: DoD pay tables (incl. the April 2025 junior-enlisted adjustment). 2026 figures: official tables effective January 1, 2026.