2026 Military Basic Pay by Grade
Military basic pay is the foundational component of military compensation, paid to every active-duty service member regardless of branch. It is set by Congress and adjusted annually through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The 2026 pay raise was 4.5% — one of the largest in decades.
How Basic Pay Is Determined
Basic pay is determined by two factors: pay grade (E-1 through O-10) and years of creditable service. As you accumulate service time, you automatically move through pay steps within your grade at 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, and 36 years of service.
2026 Enlisted Basic Pay (Monthly, Select Grades)
| Grade | Title | <2 yrs | 4 yrs | 8 yrs | 12 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | Private / Seaman Recruit | $1,833 | $1,833 | $1,833 | $1,833 |
| E-4 | Specialist / Corporal | $2,503 | $2,713 | $2,713 | $2,713 |
| E-5 | Sergeant / Petty Officer 2nd Class | $2,730 | $2,978 | $3,175 | $3,175 |
| E-6 | Staff Sergeant / Petty Officer 1st Class | $2,980 | $3,266 | $3,548 | $3,782 |
| E-7 | Sergeant First Class / Chief Petty Officer | $3,445 | $3,763 | $4,090 | $4,404 |
| E-8 | Master Sergeant / Senior Chief Petty Officer | $4,957 | $5,121 | $5,326 | $5,565 |
| E-9 | Sergeant Major / Master Chief Petty Officer | — | — | $5,789 | $5,993 |
2026 Officer Basic Pay (Monthly, Select Grades)
| Grade | Title | <2 yrs | 4 yrs | 8 yrs | 12 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-1 | 2nd Lieutenant / Ensign | $3,637 | $4,587 | $4,587 | $4,587 |
| O-3 | Captain / Lieutenant | $4,637 | $5,271 | $6,241 | $6,694 |
| O-5 | Lieutenant Colonel / Commander | $7,332 | $7,620 | $8,272 | $9,313 |
| O-6 | Colonel / Navy Captain | $8,802 | $9,150 | $9,569 | $10,520 |
What Counts as "Basic Pay"?
Basic pay is taxable income and is reported on your W-2. It is distinct from allowances like BAH and BAS, which are tax-free. Basic pay is used to calculate:
- Retirement pay — High-3 and Legacy systems base retirement on your highest 36-month average basic pay
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) contributions — your elected percentage comes out of basic pay
- SBP premiums — Survivor Benefit Plan premiums are calculated as a percentage of retirement basic pay
- VA disability offset — CRSC/CRDP calculations reference retirement pay, which derives from basic pay
Basic Pay vs. Total Compensation
Basic pay is typically 50–60% of total military compensation for mid-grade enlisted members. The remainder comes from BAH (housing allowance), BAS (subsistence allowance), and special pays. Use the Military Pay Calculator to see your full estimated take-home pay including all components.
Source: Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) Pay Tables. Figures are rounded to the nearest dollar.