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.
Only four branches appoint warrant officers: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard. The Air Force and Space Force have zero warrant officers. The Army runs by far the largest WO corps.
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.
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.
FAQ
Which branches have warrant officers?
Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard. Air Force and Space Force have 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.