E-9 (Sergeant Major) Pay with 16 Years of Service — 2026
An E-9 (Sergeant Major) with 16 years of service earns $7,496.10 per month in base pay in 2026, which is $89,953.20 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 $2,946/mo (with dependents) and BAS of $476.95/mo, total monthly compensation comes to approximately $10,919. 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 | $7,496.10 | $7,496.10 |
| BAH (national avg) | $2,946 | $2,452 |
| BAS | $476.95 | $476.95 |
| Total | $10,919 | $10,425 |
BAH varies by location. Use the BAH Calculator for your exact rate.
E-9 Pay Progression by Years of Service
See how E-9 base pay changes as you gain more time in service:
| Years of Service | Monthly Base Pay | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10 years | $6,910.20 | $82,922.40 |
| 12 years | $7,066.50 | $84,798.00 |
| 14 years | $7,263.60 | $87,163.20 |
| 16 years ← you | $7,496.10 | $89,953.20 |
| 18 years | $7,730.70 | $92,768.40 |
| 20 years | $8,105.10 | $97,261.20 |
How E-9 Compares to Other Ranks at 16 Years
| Rank | Base Pay (16 YOS) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| E-8 | $6,448.20 | -$1,047.90 |
| E-9 | $7,496.10 | — |
More E-9 Pay Information
- E-9 with 14 years of service
- E-9 with 18 years of service
- Full E-9 Pay Table (all years)
- All Military Pay Charts
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an E-9 make with 16 years of service?
An E-9 (Sergeant Major) with 16 years of service earns $7,496.10/month in base pay ($89,953.20/year). With BAH and BAS, total compensation averages $10,919/month with dependents.
What is E-9 base pay at 16 years?
2026 E-9 base pay at 16 years of service is $7,496.10/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-9, this means $3,422.95/month in allowances is untaxed, significantly reducing your effective tax rate.