Yes, W-5 service members receive BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) in addition to base pay. BAH for an W-5 with dependents ranges from $1,806 to $7,338 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 August 2026

W-5 Pay 2026 — Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5)

Q: How much does an W-5 make in 2026?

In 2026, an W-5 (CW5) earns between $10,169.70 and $13,308.30 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.

Q: What is the maximum W-5 pay?

The maximum base pay for an W-5 in 2026 is $13,308.30 per month ($159,699.60 per year). This is reached at 40+ years of service. Total compensation including BAH and BAS is significantly higher.

Complete 2026 W-5 (CW5) 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)

$10,169.70/mo

$122,036.40/year

Max Pay

$13,308.30/mo

$159,699.60/year

BAH Range (w/ Dependents)

$1,806–$7,338

Across 338 locations

Officer BAS

$328.48/mo

Tax-free food allowance

W-5 Base Pay Table — 2026

Years of Service	Monthly Pay	Annual Pay
20	$10,169.70	$122,036.40
22	$10,685.70	$128,228.40
24	$11,070.30	$132,843.60
26	$11,495.10	$137,941.20
28	$11,495.10	$137,941.20
30	$12,070.80	$144,849.60
32	$12,070.80	$144,849.60
34	$12,673.50	$152,082.00
36	$12,673.50	$152,082.00
38	$13,308.30	$159,699.60
40	$13,308.30	$159,699.60

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

W-5 base pay stops increasing at 38 years of service. It reaches $13,308.30 per month there and stays flat — every row from 38 years through 40 in the table above is the same number. That is why the bottom of the table looks repetitive: longevity raises for W-5 end at 38 years.

After that, W-5 base pay only moves two ways: the annual military pay raise, or promotion.

W-5 BAH Rates — 2026 (With Dependents)

BAH for an W-5 with dependents ranges from $1,806 to $7,338 per month, with a national average of approximately $3,050/mo across 338 locations.

Top 5 Highest BAH Locations

Top 5 Lowest BAH Locations

Total Compensation Example — W-5 at 30 Years

Base Pay (30 YOS)$12,070.80

BAH (National Average, w/ Dependents)$3,050

BAS (Officer)$328.48

Estimated Monthly Total$15,449.28

Estimated Annual Total$185,391.36

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-5 Drill Pay — Guard and Reserve

Guard and Reserve members at W-5 are paid from the same base pay table. One drill period pays 1/30 of the monthly base pay above, and a standard drill weekend is four periods.

Years of service	1 drill period	Drill weekend (4)	Annual (48 drills + 15 AT days)
Over 20 yrs	$338.99	$1,355.96	$21,356
Over 40 yrs	$443.61	$1,774.44	$27,947

Drill periods are computed as monthly base pay ÷ 30 per DFAS Reserve Component drill pay rules; annual training is paid at the active-duty daily rate, so 15 AT days add 15 daily payments rather than 30 drill periods. Run your own numbers with the Drill Pay Calculator.

← W-4 Chief Warrant Officer 4

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an W-5 make in 2026?

In 2026, an W-5 (CW5) earns between $10,169.70 and $13,308.30 per month in base pay, depending on years of service. Total compensation including BAH and BAS is significantly higher.

What is the maximum W-5 pay?

The maximum base pay for an W-5 in 2026 is $13,308.30/month ($159,699.60/year), reached at 40+ years of service.

Does an W-5 get BAH?

Yes. In addition to base pay, W-5 service members receive BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) ranging from $1,806 to $7,338/month with dependents, depending on duty station. They also receive BAS of $328.48/month. Both are tax-free.

How W-5 pay changed in 2026

Warrant officer pay moved with the standard 3.8% military raise in 2026: a W-5 with 30 years of service earns $442 more per month than in 2025.

Years of service	2025	2026	Change
Over 20 yrs	$9,797/mo	$10,170/mo	+$372 (3.8%)
Over 30 yrs	$11,629/mo	$12,071/mo	+$442 (3.8%)
Over 40 yrs	$12,821/mo	$13,308/mo	+$487 (3.8%)

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