Updated February 2026
O-5 Pay 2026 — Lieutenant Colonel
Complete 2026 O-5 (Lieutenant Colonel) 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)
$7,295.40/mo
$87,544.80/year
Max Pay
$12,394.80/mo
$148,737.60/year
BAH Range (w/ Dependents)
$1,827–$8,064
Across 338 locations
Officer BAS
$328.48/mo
Tax-free food allowance
O-5 Base Pay Table — 2026
| Years of Service | Monthly Pay | Annual Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 2 or less | $7,295.40 | $87,544.80 |
| 2 | $8,218.20 | $98,618.40 |
| 3 | $8,787.00 | $105,444.00 |
| 4 | $8,894.10 | $106,729.20 |
| 6 | $9,249.60 | $110,995.20 |
| 8 | $9,461.40 | $113,536.80 |
| 10 | $9,928.50 | $119,142.00 |
| 12 | $10,271.70 | $123,260.40 |
| 14 | $10,715.10 | $128,581.20 |
| 16 | $11,391.30 | $136,695.60 |
| 18 | $11,713.80 | $140,565.60 |
| 20 | $12,032.70 | $144,392.40 |
| 22 | $12,394.80 | $148,737.60 |
All amounts reflect the 3.8% pay raise effective January 1, 2026. Source: DFAS.
O-5 BAH Rates — 2026 (With Dependents)
BAH for an O-5 with dependents ranges from $1,827 to $8,064 per month, with a national average of approximately $3,320/mo across 338 locations.
Top 5 Highest BAH Locations
- Westchester County, Ny$8,064/mo
- New York City, Ny$7,128/mo
- San Francisco, Ca$7,089/mo
- Nantucket, Ma$6,933/mo
- Boston, Ma$6,483/mo
Top 5 Lowest BAH Locations
- Youngstown, Oh$1,827/mo
- Cannon Afb/Clovis, Nm$1,944/mo
- Stevens Point, Wi$1,998/mo
- Saginaw, Mi$2,007/mo
- Monroe, La$2,040/mo
Total Compensation Example — O-5 at 10 Years
Base Pay (10 YOS)$9,928.50
BAH (National Average, w/ Dependents)$3,320
BAS (Officer)$328.48
Estimated Monthly Total$13,576.98
Estimated Annual Total$162,923.76
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.