Military Pay 2026 Chart
Explore official 2026 Department of Defense basic pay charts (+3.8% NDAA, effective ) across Enlisted (E-1–E-9), Warrant (W-1–W-5), and Officer (O-1–O-10, incl. O-1E/O-2E/O-3E). Includes active duty, reserve drill, BAS, retired COLA (+2.8%), and BAH lookup guidance. (Retired-pay estimator and BAH lookup ship next — see roadmap.)
BAH varies by MHA — look up your rate (DTMO) · Veteran.com BAH lookup. Samples: Pendleton / San Francisco / Fort Rucker differ by grade + dependents.
Understanding the 2026 Military Basic Pay Scale and NDAA Adjustments
United States military compensation is established under Title 37 of the United States Code (Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services) and updated annually by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The pay charts apply across all six service branches: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force, as well as the Commissioned Corps of the US Public Health Service (USPHS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Military basic pay is universally determined by two variables: Pay Grade (Enlisted E-1 through E-9, Warrant Officer W-1 through W-5, and Commissioned Officer O-1 through O-10) and cumulative Years of Service (YOS). As service members hit statutory longevity milestones (typically every two years), their basic pay automatically increases to recognize accumulated leadership experience and technical mastery.
Transitioning between civilian and military roles? Use our Hourly Rate to Salary Converter to calculate civilian equivalent wages, compare civil service step increases with the Federal Pay Raise 2026 GS Calculator, or forecast promotional raises with our Pay Raise Calculator.
Military Compensation Mathematical Formulas
Annual = Monthly Basic Pay × 12Daily = Monthly Basic Pay ÷ 30MUTA-4 = 4 × (Monthly Basic Pay ÷ 30)RMC = Basic Pay + BAH + BAS + Tax AdvantageActive Duty vs. National Guard and Reserve Drill Compensation
Unlike full-time active duty service members who receive two semi-monthly pay deposits (on the 1st and 15th of each month) based on full basic pay and non-taxable allowances, traditional National Guard and Reserve personnel are compensated through Inactive Duty Training (IDT) and Active Duty for Training (ADT):
Drill Weekend Assemblies (UTAs)
A Unit Training Assembly (UTA) is defined as a minimum four-hour block of training. A standard drill weekend contains two days with two UTAs each, creating a "MUTA-4" (Multiple Unit Training Assembly). Since each UTA pays 1/30th of monthly basic pay, a standard drill weekend awards 4 days worth of basic pay for two calendar days of service.
Annual Training (15 Days AT)
During the mandatory two-week Annual Training (AT) period, Guard and Reserve members receive standard active duty pay and prorated allowances (such as BAH Reserve Component/Transient) for each day of orders, calculating out to 15 days of full active duty pay.
Worked Calculation Examples Across Military Career Milestones
To understand military cash flow across both active duty and drill participation, review these concrete 2026 benchmarks:
Example 1: Junior Enlisted Specialist (E-4, Over 3 Years of Service)
Monthly Basic Pay: $3,482.39. Annual Basic Pay: $3,482.39 × 12 = $41,788.68. Daily Pay Rate: $3,482.39 ÷ 30 = $116.08/day. If in the National Guard, a standard 2-day MUTA-4 drill weekend yields $116.08 × 4 = $464.32 gross pre-tax compensation.
Example 2: Non-Commissioned Officer / Staff Sergeant (E-6, Over 8 Years of Service)
Monthly Basic Pay: $4,612.77. Annual Basic Pay: $4,612.77 × 12 = $55,353.24. Daily Pay Rate: $4,612.77 ÷ 30 = $153.76/day. Weekend Drill Pay (4 UTAs): $153.76 × 4 = $615.04. Full annual drill participation (48 UTAs + 15 AT days = 63 days, estimate) yields $9,686.82 in supplemental reserve earnings.
Example 3: Commissioned Officer / Captain (O-3, Over 6 Years of Service)
Monthly Basic Pay: $7,737.04. Annual Basic Pay: $7,737.04 × 12 = $92,844.48. Daily Pay Rate: $7,737.04 ÷ 30 = $257.90/day. Weekend Drill Pay (MUTA-4): $257.90 × 4 = $1,031.61 per weekend.
2026 Enlisted Basic Pay Chart (Monthly Rates by Years of Service)
Static pre-computed monthly basic pay figures under the 2026 NDAA across junior and mid-grade enlisted ranks.
| Grade & Title | < 2 Years | Over 2 Years | Over 4 Years | Over 6 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 (Private (≥4 mo)) | $2,407.12 | $2,407.12 | $2,407.12 | $2,407.12 |
| E-2 (Private) | $2,697.97 | $2,697.97 | $2,697.97 | $2,697.97 |
| E-3 (Private 1st Class) | $2,836.85 | $3,014.97 | $3,198.08 | $3,198.08 |
| E-4 (Specialist / Corporal) | $3,142.34 | $3,303.02 | $3,658.64 | $3,815.27 |
| E-5 (Sergeant) | $3,342.88 | $3,598.23 | $3,946.68 | $4,109.86 |
| E-6 (Staff Sergeant) | $3,401.11 | $3,743.03 | $4,068.75 | $4,235.66 |
| E-7 (SFC / Master Sgt) | $3,932.05 | $4,291.40 | $4,673.18 | $4,843.83 |
| E-8 (1st Sgt / Master Sgt) | — | — | — | — |
| E-9 (Sgt Major) | — | — | — | — |
Retired Military Pay Raise 2026 & Annual COLA Adjustments
Unlike active duty military personnel whose basic pay is authorized through the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) — FY2026 NDAA— retired military pay raises are governed by federal Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) laws indexed directly to the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W):
Military Retiree COLA Timeline
The +2.8% COLA, effective Dec 1, 2025 matches the CPI-W Q3-2024 → Q3-2025 increase. Military retirees, disabled veterans, and SBP beneficiaries receive this boost on their December retirement pay statement. Use the estimator above: base × service-rate (High-36 2.5%/yr, BRS 2.0%/yr) × 1.028. See also our Pay Raise Calculator and VA disability schedule.
High-36 vs. BRS Retirement Systems
Retirees under the legacy High-36 system receive 2.5% per year of service (50% at 20 years), while service members under the Blended Retirement System (BRS) receive 2.0% per year of service (40% at 20 years) plus Department of Defense TSP matching contributions.
Military Pay 2026 BAH Rates & Proposed 2027 NDAA Outlook
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates are evaluated annually by the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) across 300+ Military Housing Areas (MHAs) — covers 95% of housing costs; members absorb 5% out-of-pocket (about $93–$212/mo in 2026 depending on grade/location/dependents). 300+ MHAs; rate protection applies. Because BAH and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS: Enlisted $476.95 / Officer $328.48) are tax-free, service members keep an effective tax advantage. The proposed 2027 military pay raise is anchored to BLS Q3 ECI under 37 U.S.C. §1009; forecast, not enacted. Watch Q3 ECI release + FY2027 NDAA timeline.
Footnotes: senior-enlisted 7-position fixed pay (SMA/MCPON/CMSSF/SMMC/SEAC) regardless of YOS · O-1E/O-2E/O-3E clamped to Over-4 column below qualifying YOS · 63-day annual is an estimate (48 UTAs + 15 AT) · O-7+ values Provisional — pending OPM 2026 Executive Schedule.
Supported Military Pay Raise Searches & Rank Schedules
Military Pay FAQs
Essential answers on 2026 NDAA military pay charts, taxability of basic pay vs BAH/BAS, reserve drill pay, and college benefits.
How is the 2026 military basic pay raise determined by Congress?
Under 37 U.S.C. § 1009, military basic pay automatically adjusts by +3.8% effective January 1, 2026, matching private-sector wage growth reported in the Department of Labor's Employment Cost Index (ECI). Authorized in the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the 3.8% raise applies across all uniformed service branches and 28 active-duty pay grades.
Is military basic pay subject to federal and state income taxes?
Yes, military basic pay is fully taxable gross income subject to federal income tax, state income tax (based on legal State of Legal Residence), and 7.65% FICA taxes (reported on Form W-2 Box 1). The primary exception is service within a designated Combat Zone Tax Exclusion (CZTE) area under 26 U.S.C. § 112, which excludes enlisted pay completely.
Are Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) taxable?
No, military allowances including Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) are 100% exempt from federal and state income taxes and FICA payroll taxes under 26 U.S.C. § 134. Because non-taxable allowances comprise 30% to 45% of total military compensation, service members enjoy a significant tax advantage over civilian earners.
How is drill pay calculated for National Guard and Reserve service members (MUTA 4)?
Under 37 U.S.C. § 206, one drill period (Unit Training Assembly or UTA) equals 1/30th of the monthly active duty basic pay for the member's rank and longevity. A standard drill weekend is classified as a MUTA 4 (four 4-hour drill periods across Saturday and Sunday), meaning drill pay equals 4/30th (approx. 13.33%) of full monthly basic pay.
Does a federal government shutdown affect military active duty and drill pay?
During a government shutdown, active duty military personnel must continue reporting for duty; however, unless Congress passes a specific standalone 'Pay Our Military Act' or stopgap defense appropriation, paychecks are delayed until funding is enacted, with full retroactive back pay issued immediately upon resolution. Drill weekends during a shutdown are typically cancelled or postponed.
Does the US military pay for college or pay off student loans?
Yes, the military offers extensive higher education benefits: (1) Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33): covers 100% of in-state tuition, provides a monthly housing allowance (E-5 with dependents rate), and $1,000/yr for books; (2) Tuition Assistance (TA): pays up to $4,500/year for active duty coursework; and (3) College Loan Repayment Program (CLRP): repays up to $65,000 in qualifying federal loans.
How do Years of Service (YOS) brackets increase military pay grades?
Military basic pay scales feature 22 distinct longevity brackets spanning from under 2 years up to over 40 years of service. Achieving longevity milestones automatically triggers a step increase that compounds on top of annual congressional across-the-board raises, yielding two distinct pay increases in a single career year.
How much is the retired military pay raise for 2026 (COLA)?
Military retired pay and survivor benefit plans (SBP) increased by +2.8% COLA effective December 1, 2025. This cost-of-living adjustment is calculated by comparing average third-quarter CPI-W inflation figures from 2024 to 2025, and applies to both legacy High-36 and Blended Retirement System (BRS) retirees as well as VA disability benefits.