E-5 (Sergeant) Pay with 4 Years of Service — 2026
An E-5 (Sergeant) with 4 years of service earns $3,946.80 per month in base pay in 2026, which is $47,361.60 per year. Base pay is the taxable portion of military compensation and does not include housing or food allowances.
When you add the national average BAH of $2,289/mo (with dependents) and BAS of $476.95/mo, total monthly compensation comes to approximately $6,713. BAH and BAS are tax-free, making the effective compensation even higher than it appears.
Monthly Compensation Breakdown
| Component | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay | $3,946.80 | $3,946.80 |
| BAH (national avg) | $2,289 | $1,871 |
| BAS | $476.95 | $476.95 |
| Total | $6,713 | $6,295 |
BAH varies by location. Use the BAH Calculator for your exact rate.
E-5 Pay Progression by Years of Service
See how E-5 base pay changes as you gain more time in service:
| Years of Service | Monthly Base Pay | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 0 years | $3,342.90 | $40,114.80 |
| 2 years | $3,598.20 | $43,178.40 |
| 3 years | $3,775.80 | $45,309.60 |
| 4 years ← you | $3,946.80 | $47,361.60 |
| 6 years | $4,110.00 | $49,320.00 |
| 8 years | $4,299.90 | $51,598.80 |
| 10 years | $4,395.30 | $52,743.60 |
| 12 years | $4,421.70 | $53,060.40 |
| 14 years | $4,421.70 | $53,060.40 |
| 16 years | $4,421.70 | $53,060.40 |
| 18 years | $4,421.70 | $53,060.40 |
| 20 years | $4,421.70 | $53,060.40 |
How E-5 Compares to Other Ranks at 4 Years
| Rank | Base Pay (4 YOS) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| E-4 | $3,658.50 | -$288.30 |
| E-5 | $3,946.80 | — |
| E-6 | $4,068.90 | +$122.10 |
More E-5 Pay Information
- E-5 with 2 years of service
- E-5 with 6 years of service
- Full E-5 Pay Table (all years)
- All Military Pay Charts
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an E-5 make with 4 years of service?
An E-5 (Sergeant) with 4 years of service earns $3,946.80/month in base pay ($47,361.60/year). With BAH and BAS, total compensation averages $6,713/month with dependents.
What is E-5 base pay at 4 years?
2026 E-5 base pay at 4 years of service is $3,946.80/month. This is the taxable portion of military pay.
Is military pay taxable?
Base pay is subject to federal income tax. BAH and BAS are tax-free. For an E-5, this means $2,765.95/month in allowances is untaxed, significantly reducing your effective tax rate.