Reviewed by Jonathan Teplitsky · Updated June 2026
Warrant Officer Pay Chart 2026 and 2025
Warrant officer basic pay in 2026 starts at about $3,815/mo for a brand-new W-1 and reaches roughly $10,250/mo for a CW-5 with 24 years of service. The FY2026 NDAA applied a 3.8% across-the-board raise to every W-grade. 2025 pay reflected the prior 4.5% raise — the FY2025 junior enlisted bump did NOT touch warrant officer scale.
Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard have appointed warrant officers for decades, and the Army runs by far the largest WO corps. The Air Force reinstated the rank in 2024 after a 60+ year gap — limited so far to information technology and cyber career fields — and Space Force still has none.
2026 Warrant Officer Basic Pay (Monthly)
| Grade | YOS | 2026 Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| W-1 | <2 | $3,815 |
| W-1 | 4 | $4,510 |
| W-2 | 6 | $5,140 |
| W-3 | 10 | $6,425 |
| W-4 | 18 | $8,295 |
| CW-5 | 24 | $10,250 |
2025 Warrant Officer Basic Pay (Monthly)
| Grade | YOS | 2025 Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| W-1 | <2 | $3,675 |
| W-2 | 6 | $4,950 |
| W-3 | 10 | $6,190 |
| W-4 | 18 | $7,990 |
| CW-5 | 24 | $9,875 |
Warrant Officer Ranks by Branch
- Army: WO1, CW2, CW3, CW4, CW5. Largest WO corps.
- Marine Corps: WO, CWO2, CWO3, CWO4, CWO5.
- Navy: CWO2, CWO3, CWO4, CWO5. No WO1 entry.
- Coast Guard: CWO2, CWO3, CWO4.
See branch charts: USMC, Coast Guard.
Air Force Warrant Officers (New Since 2024)
The Air Force reinstated warrant officer accessions in 2024 for the first time since 1959, limited to two information-technology and cyber Air Force Specialty Codes (17W Warfighter Communications & IT Systems Operations, and 17Y Cyber Effects & Warfare Operations). The first cohort graduated in December 2024. Air Force warrant officers are paid on the same W-1 to CW-5 DoD basic pay table as the other four branches shown above; the program remains capped to IT/cyber roles while the Air Force evaluates whether to expand it.
Becoming a Warrant Officer
Warrant officers are technical experts who sit between senior NCOs and commissioned officers. Most warrants are selected after 6 to 12 years enlisted. The Army's WOFT (Warrant Officer Flight Training) accepts civilians for Army aviation — Apache, Black Hawk, Chinook pilots. Progression W-1 to CW-5 takes 20+ years; most CW-5s have 26-30 years of total service. Average WO career runs about 22 years — far longer than the ~8-year enlisted average.
Why Career Length Changes Retirement Math
The 22-year average WO career materially boosts retirement pay. Under BRS the multiplier is 2.0% per year. A 22-year CW-4 retiring on a High-3 of ~$8,400/mo collects roughly $3,700/mo for life before TSP. An enlisted soldier retiring at 20 years on a High-3 of ~$5,200/mo collects only ~$2,080/mo. See military retirement.
Aviation Career Incentive Pay (ACIP)
Army aviation warrants earn ACIP on top of basic pay — $125/mo for new pilots to $840/mo at career peak. Crewmember flight pay adds $150-$250/mo. An Apache pilot at CW-3 with 10 years TIS earns ~$6,425 basic + $700 ACIP + housing.
WO vs Commissioned Officer Pay
| TIS | CW-3 (2026) | O-3 (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 years | $6,425 | $7,310 | +$885 for O-3 |
| 14 years | $7,015 | $7,540 | +$525 for O-3 |
The gap is intentional — officer pays for command scope; warrant pays for technical expertise. See the officer pay chart, enlisted pay chart, and officer vs enlisted.
Sources
DFAS pay tables, U.S. Army Recruiting Command (WOFT), USMC M&RA, Air Force warrant officer program.
FAQ
Which branches have warrant officers?
Army, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard have for decades. The Air Force reinstated the rank in 2024, limited to IT/cyber roles. Space Force has none.
How much does a CW-5 make in 2026?
~$10,250/mo basic at 24 years.
Did warrant officers get the 2025 junior enlisted raise?
No — only E-1 to E-4 got that bump.
How long does it take to reach CW-5?
6-12 years enlisted, then 20+ years progressing W-1 to CW-5.
Do Army aviation warrant officers earn extra pay?
Yes — ACIP $125-$840/mo + crewmember flight pay $150-$250/mo.