W-3 (Chief Warrant Officer 3) Pay with 16 Years of Service — 2026
An W-3 (Chief Warrant Officer 3) with 16 years of service earns $7,618.50 per month in base pay in 2026, which is $91,422.00 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 $2,863/mo (with dependents) and BAS of $476.95/mo, total monthly compensation comes to approximately $10,958. 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 | $7,618.50 | $7,618.50 |
| BAH (national avg) | $2,863 | $2,464 |
| BAS | $476.95 | $476.95 |
| Total | $10,958 | $10,559 |
BAH varies by location. Use the BAH Calculator for your exact rate.
W-3 Pay Progression by Years of Service
See how W-3 base pay changes as you gain more time in service:
| Years of Service | Monthly Base Pay | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 0 years | $5,210.70 | $62,528.40 |
| 2 years | $5,430.00 | $65,160.00 |
| 3 years | $5,656.50 | $67,878.00 |
| 4 years | $5,925.30 | $71,103.60 |
| 6 years | $6,170.40 | $74,044.80 |
| 8 years | $6,511.20 | $78,134.40 |
| 10 years | $6,827.70 | $81,932.40 |
| 12 years | $7,122.60 | $85,471.20 |
| 14 years | $7,416.90 | $89,002.80 |
| 16 years ← you | $7,618.50 | $91,422.00 |
| 18 years | $7,920.30 | $95,043.60 |
| 20 years | $8,148.00 | $97,776.00 |
How W-3 Compares to Other Ranks at 16 Years
| Rank | Base Pay (16 YOS) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| W-2 | $6,763.50 | -$855.00 |
| W-3 | $7,618.50 | — |
| W-4 | $8,576.40 | +$957.90 |
More W-3 Pay Information
- W-3 with 14 years of service
- W-3 with 18 years of service
- Full W-3 Pay Table (all years)
- All Military Pay Charts
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an W-3 make with 16 years of service?
An W-3 (Chief Warrant Officer 3) with 16 years of service earns $7,618.50/month in base pay ($91,422.00/year). With BAH and BAS, total compensation averages $10,958/month with dependents.
What is W-3 base pay at 16 years?
2026 W-3 base pay at 16 years of service is $7,618.50/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 W-3, this means $3,339.95/month in allowances is untaxed, significantly reducing your effective tax rate.