W-5 (Chief Warrant Officer 5) Pay with 20 Years of Service — 2026
An W-5 (Chief Warrant Officer 5) with 20 years of service earns $8,096.40 per month in base pay in 2026, which is $97,156.80 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 $3,126/mo (with dependents) and BAS of $476.95/mo, total monthly compensation comes to approximately $11,699. 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 | $8,096.40 | $8,096.40 |
| BAH (national avg) | $3,126 | $2,721 |
| BAS | $476.95 | $476.95 |
| Total | $11,699 | $11,294 |
BAH varies by location. Use the BAH Calculator for your exact rate.
W-5 Pay Progression by Years of Service
See how W-5 base pay changes as you gain more time in service:
| Years of Service | Monthly Base Pay | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 20 years ← you | $8,096.40 | $97,156.80 |
How W-5 Compares to Other Ranks at 20 Years
| Rank | Base Pay (20 YOS) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| W-4 | $9,171.30 | +$1,074.90 |
| W-5 | $8,096.40 | — |
More W-5 Pay Information
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an W-5 make with 20 years of service?
An W-5 (Chief Warrant Officer 5) with 20 years of service earns $8,096.40/month in base pay ($97,156.80/year). With BAH and BAS, total compensation averages $11,699/month with dependents.
What is W-5 base pay at 20 years?
2026 W-5 base pay at 20 years of service is $8,096.40/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-5, this means $3,602.95/month in allowances is untaxed, significantly reducing your effective tax rate.