What is the maximum W-1 pay in 2026?

The maximum base pay for an W-1 in 2026 is $7,010.10 per month ($84,121.20 per year). This is reached at 40+ years of service. Total compensation including BAH and BAS is significantly higher.

Yes, W-1 service members receive BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) in addition to base pay. BAH for an W-1 with dependents ranges from $1,350 to $5,472 per month depending on duty station location. BAH is a tax-free allowance. They also receive BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) of $328.48 per month.

Updated February 2026

W-1 Pay 2026 — Warrant Officer 1

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

In 2026, an W-1 (Warrant Officer 1) earns between $4,056.60 and $7,010.10 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 W-1 (Warrant Officer 1) 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)

$4,056.60/mo

$48,679.20/year

Max Pay

$7,010.10/mo

$84,121.20/year

BAH Range (w/ Dependents)

$1,350–$5,472

Across 338 locations

Officer BAS

$328.48/mo

Tax-free food allowance

W-1 Base Pay Table — 2026

Years of Service	Monthly Pay	Annual Pay
2 or less	$4,056.60	$48,679.20
2	$4,493.70	$53,924.40
3	$4,611.00	$55,332.00
4	$4,859.10	$58,309.20
6	$5,152.20	$61,826.40
8	$5,584.20	$67,010.40
10	$5,786.10	$69,433.20
12	$6,069.30	$72,831.60
14	$6,346.50	$76,158.00
16	$6,564.90	$78,778.80
18	$6,766.20	$81,194.40
20	$7,010.10	$84,121.20
22	$7,010.10	$84,121.20
24	$7,010.10	$84,121.20
26	$7,010.10	$84,121.20
28	$7,010.10	$84,121.20
30	$7,010.10	$84,121.20
32	$7,010.10	$84,121.20
34	$7,010.10	$84,121.20
36	$7,010.10	$84,121.20
38	$7,010.10	$84,121.20
40	$7,010.10	$84,121.20

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

W-1 BAH Rates — 2026 (With Dependents)

BAH for an W-1 with dependents ranges from $1,350 to $5,472 per month, with a national average of approximately $2,564/mo across 338 locations.

Top 5 Highest BAH Locations

Top 5 Lowest BAH Locations

Total Compensation Example — W-1 at 20 Years

Base Pay (20 YOS)$7,010.10

BAH (National Average, w/ Dependents)$2,564

BAS (Officer)$328.48

Estimated Monthly Total$9,902.58

Estimated Annual Total$118,830.96

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.

W-2 Chief Warrant Officer 2 →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an W-1 make in 2026?

In 2026, an W-1 (Warrant Officer 1) earns between $4,056.60 and $7,010.10 per month in base pay, depending on years of service. Total compensation including BAH and BAS is significantly higher.

What is the maximum W-1 pay?

The maximum base pay for an W-1 in 2026 is $7,010.10/month ($84,121.20/year), reached at 40+ years of service.

Does an W-1 get BAH?

Yes. In addition to base pay, W-1 service members receive BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) ranging from $1,350 to $5,472/month with dependents, depending on duty station. They also receive BAS of $328.48/month. Both are tax-free.

How W-1 pay changed in 2026

Warrant officer pay moved with the standard 3.8% military raise in 2026: a W-1 with 6 years of service earns $189 more per month than in 2025.

Years of service	2025	2026	Change
Over 2 yrs	$4,329/mo	$4,494/mo	+$164 (3.8%)
Over 6 yrs	$4,964/mo	$5,152/mo	+$189 (3.8%)
Over 12 yrs	$5,847/mo	$6,069/mo	+$222 (3.8%)

Promotion is still the bigger lever: at 6 years of service, pinning on W-2 is worth $433 more per month in base pay alone ($5,198 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.