The US Military Pay Chart 2026 is updated annually to accommodate fair compensation for those who sacrifice so much for their service. In 2026, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced another military pay increase—this is one of the largest increases in over a decade.
The 2026 US Military Pay Increase comes during a current raise in living costs, inflation, and congressional deliberations about retaining talented personnel in a competitive job market. For many Americans, the military not only gives a purpose but also provides a career. Pay increases are not just numbers on a graph; instead, they affect over 1.3 million personnel on active duty, over 800K reserve members, and millions of military families.
US Military Pay Chart 2026
The majority of military compensation has risen by 4.5% for the year 2026, in comparison to the levels of 2024. The US Military Pay Chart 2026 provided below are applicable to active personnel in the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force. Service members in the junior enlisted categories, specifically E-1 through E-4, as well as E-5s with the least years of service, will, however, benefit from a 14.5% increase.
The initial 4.5% will be reflected in their paychecks for January, with the remaining amount commencing on April 1. The tables below detail the monthly pay for the period of April to December 2026, as published by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). These rates will take effect on April 1, 2026..
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US Military Pay Tables 2026
| About | US Military Pay Tables 2026 |
| Eligiblity Criteria for US Militiary Pay | Retirees and currently serving |
| Government | America |
| Payment Amount | Based on Ranks |
| Category | Finance |
| Year | 2026 |
| Resources | https://www.dfas.mil/MilitaryMembers |
2026 US Military Pay Increase
Percentage increase across Enlisted and Officer ranks
The 2026 pay raise is an average of 4.5% across the board, affecting enlisted, officers, and warrant officers.
- An enlisted E-3 with 2 years of service will receive about a $120 increase in their monthly pay.
- An O-4 (Major/Lt. Commander) should see $400-$500 more a month.
The increases may seem small for junior ranks, but they will start to add up, especially with allowances providing an additional bump in various locations.
Salary increases for military members have moved along the lines of the annual changes in Employment Cost Index (ECI) for the following years:
- 2023: 2.7%
- 2024: 4.6%.
- 2025: 5.2%
- 2026: 4.5%
This slow, ongoing pattern illustrates military pay’s movement toward inflation and the competitive employment space with military pay compared to private-sector salary growth.
Enlisted US Military Pay Chart 2026
Enlisted personnel are the backbone of the U.S. military, and they experience a vast difference in pay depending on their enlisted experience. It can range from completely new recruits to seasoned leaders.
Entry-Level Enlisted Ranks (E-1 to E-3)
- E-1 (Private, Seaman Recruit, Airman Basic): $2,319 per month.
- E-2 (Private 2nd Class, Seaman Apprentice): $2,599 per month.
- E-3 (Private First Class, Airman First Class, Seaman): $2,733 to $3,081, depending on years (2 years of service = $2,733/month 3 years of service = $3,081/month).
These amounts do not seem much, but when military allowances, military housing, and food allowances are taken into consideration, it effectively takes home more than one might think!
Mid-Level Enlisted Ranks (E-4 to E-6)
- E-4 (Corporal, Specialist, and Petty Officer 3rd Class): $3,027 to $3,675 (per month).
- E-5 (Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, and Petty Officer 2nd Class): $3,220 to $4,234 (per month).
- E-6 (Staff Sergeant, Technical Sergeant, and Petty Officer 1st Class): $3,276 to $4,585 (per month).
These ranks work as the professional military’s “technical” and “leadership” core. Many in this rank will elect to re-enlist as the bonuses are sometimes worth the re-enlistment that is possible within military personnel.
Senior Enlisted (E-7 to E-9)
- E-7 (Sergeant First Class, Chief Petty Officer): $3,788 to $6,356 (per month).
- E-8 (Master Sergeant, Senior Chief Petty Officer): $5,839 to $7,207 (per month).
- E-9 (Sergeant Major, Master Chief Petty Officer): $6,807 to $10,336 (per month).
These ranks begin to approach mid-level civilian management salary levels. Once allowances are factored in, these positions can represent competitive salaries!
Frequently Asked Questions On US Military Pay Chart 2026
What will be the military pay raise in 2026?
The military pay raise will be 4.5%. This is the largest military pay increase in over a decade and applies to all ranks across all components of active duty, Reserves, and National Guard.
How much does an E-5 earn in 2026?
An E-5 (Sergeant/Staff Sergeant) earns approximately $3,100–$4,400 a month for basic pay depending on your years of service, and excluding allowances like the BAH and BAS.
What is the highest enlisted pay amount in 2026?
An E-9 (Sergeant Major/Chief Master Sergeant) gets to earn over $9,000 each month. If an enlisted member gets additional allowances, then the member gets more than that amount.
Will Reserve and National Guard members receive the same pay raise?
Yes. The Reserves and the Guard members also get the 4.5% increase, based off the average of their drill pay and active duty training pay.
