2026 Military Pay Charts

Pay Charts

Editor's note: The pay calculator tool on this page still displays 2025 rates. We'll update the calculator when the Defense Finance and Accounting Service releases the official 2026 pay charts. For *projected* 2026 rates, see below.

2026 Military Pay Charts

Military Basic Pay increases 3.8% for 2026, compared to 2025 levels. The military pay charts linked below apply to active members of the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and Space Force.

The raise will be reflected in service members January 2026 paychecks.

The tables below *project* 2026's monthly pay based on the 3.8% raise. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) will release the official rates later.

Some senior officers may receive smaller percentages in a given year because their pay can't, by law, exceed that of Level 2 of the Executive Schedule.

2026 Active Duty Pay Charts *Projected*

2026 Reserve Pay Charts *Projected*

Factors That Affect Military Pay

Basic pay varies depending on your paygrade/rank, along with the number of years you have served.

For instance, in April-December 2025, an enlisted service member with a paygrade of E-1 will receive about $2,407 per month in basic pay. Meanwhile, a more senior enlisted person with a paygrade of E-6, who has more than a decade of service, will earn about $4,759 monthly throughout 2026.

Officers receive more. A new officer's basic pay begins at about $4,150 in 2026, while a more senior officer with a paygrade of O-4, having served more than 10 years, will receive about $9,419 monthly.

Basic pay is a service member's primary compensation. But your paycheck is also likely to contain several tax-free allowances as well as special pay based on your duty station, qualifications or military specialties. All of these things are part of normal military pay, salary or compensation.

Most allowances are non-taxable, so they can contribute to a significant portion of your paycheck. For example, the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is excluded from gross income for tax purposes.

When Does Military Pay Change?

Military pay automatically increases at the start of each calendar year, in January. Service members see the change reflected in the first pay period of the year.

Why Does Military Pay Increase?

The military establishes an annual pay increase to roughly mirror the increase in private-sector wages and salaries nationwide.

This increase is generally determined by the Employment Cost Index, calculated several times a year by the Department of Labor. The military uses the October ECI year-over-year change to determine the percentage pay raise for the following year.

However, as in recent years, Congress may supersede this automatic amount.

Where to Find Information About Military Pay Changes

Bookmark the Military Pay section of Military.com to see all the latest news and updates about military pay and other benefits, and to access pay charts, pay calculators and more.

Make sure to log in and update your Newsletter Subscriptions on Military.com to ensure you stay up-to-date with military benefit news, including compensation, delivered right to your inbox.

How to Understand Your Military Leave and Earning Statement (LES)

The Leave and Earning Statement (LES) shows your entitlements, deductions, allotments and details about leave, tax withholding and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).

You can log on to myPay to view your most recent LES. You should verify and keep your LES every pay period.

The top of your LES will show identifying information, plus what pay period this statement covers.

Just below that is a row of boxes displaying a summary of your entitlements, deductions and allotments. It's important to note that the entitlements and deductions sections may reflect retroactive activity.

Related: How to Read a Military LES

Any overflow in these areas will be listed in the Remarks section.

Next to those, you'll see another box that summarizes the entitlements, deductions and allotments, and then shows the result: the actual amount in your paycheck.

Under your pay amount, you'll see DIEMS, which means the date you signed up for military service, and RETPLAN, your retirement plan.

On the bottom of your pay stub, smaller boxes display details of your leave days balance; and your federal tax information, including FICA, marital status and any exemptions.

Finally, you'll see Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) contributions.

What to Do if Your Military Pay Is Incorrect

If you have been tracking your LES and notice any change in your compensation that you don't understand, immediately contact your payroll or finance office.

If you need more help:

Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force active duty or Reserve: Call 1-888-332-7411
Retiree, survivor or beneficiary: Call 1-800-321-1080
Former spouse or creditor with a question about alimony, child support and other court-ordered garnishment: Call 1-888-332-7411
Coast Guard active duty, reservists and retirees
- Active duty or in the Reserve: Contact your unit administrative yeoman
- Retirees: Contact the Coast Guard Pay & Personnel Center at 1-866-772-8724

Prior Pay Charts

Keep Up With Military Pay Updates

Military pay benefits are constantly changing. Make sure you're up-to-date with everything you've earned. Subscribe to Military.com to receive updates on all of your military pay and benefits, delivered directly to your inbox.