2026 Military Pay Raise
The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorized a 3.8% across-the-board pay raise for all military service members, effective January 1, 2026. This raise applies equally to enlisted personnel and officers across all branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard. The increase matches the Employment Cost Index (ECI) measurement used to keep military pay competitive with the private sector.
How to Read This Chart
Each bar represents the monthly base pay for a specific rank at a typical number of years of service. Enlisted ranks (E-1 through E-9) are shown in navy blue, while officer ranks (O-1 through O-10) are shown in red. Years of service reflect common career progression: an E-5 typically has about 8 years in, while an O-3 (Captain or Lieutenant) often has around 6 years. Senior officers (O-6 through O-10) are shown as a range since their pay varies widely with years of service.
Base Pay Is Only Part of the Picture
Military compensation includes much more than base pay. Service members also receive Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), and potentially special and incentive pays. BAH alone can add $1,000 to $4,000 or more per month depending on location and rank. Use the Military Pay Calculator to estimate your total compensation including all allowances.
For a complete breakdown of pay at every rank and years-of-service level, see the 2026 Military Pay Chart. Reserve and Guard members can find per-drill rates on the Drill Pay Chart.