Military Pay Chart
The military pay chart shows monthly base pay for every active-duty rank — from E-1 through O-10 — across all years-of-service columns. Pay is set annually by Congress under the National Defense Authorization Act. The 2025 rates reflect a 4.5 percent pay raise effective January 1, 2025.
Military Pay Calculator
2025 Enlisted Military Pay Chart
Base pay is set by Congress each year under the National Defense Authorization Act and applies to all branches of the US military.
| Pay Grade | Rank Example (Army / Navy) | <2 yrs | 2 yrs | 3 yrs | 4 yrs | 6 yrs | 8 yrs | 10 yrs | 12 yrs | 14 yrs | 16 yrs | 18 yrs | 20 yrs | 22 yrs | 24 yrs | 26+ yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | Private / Seaman Recruit | $1,917.60 | $1,917.60 | $1,917.60 | $1,917.60 | $1,917.60 | $1,917.60 | $1,917.60 | $1,917.60 | $1,917.60 | $1,917.60 | $1,917.60 | $1,917.60 | $1,917.60 | $1,917.60 | $1,917.60 |
| E-2 | Private 2nd Class / Seaman Apprentice | $2,149.20 | $2,149.20 | $2,149.20 | $2,149.20 | $2,149.20 | $2,149.20 | $2,149.20 | $2,149.20 | $2,149.20 | $2,149.20 | $2,149.20 | $2,149.20 | $2,149.20 | $2,149.20 | $2,149.20 |
| E-3 | Private 1st Class / Seaman | $2,259.90 | $2,403.90 | $2,547.60 | $2,547.60 | $2,547.60 | $2,547.60 | $2,547.60 | $2,547.60 | $2,547.60 | $2,547.60 | $2,547.60 | $2,547.60 | $2,547.60 | $2,547.60 | $2,547.60 |
| E-4 | Specialist / Corporal | $2,503.50 | $2,636.40 | $2,769.30 | $2,901.60 | $2,968.80 | $3,040.20 | $3,040.20 | $3,040.20 | $3,040.20 | $3,040.20 | $3,040.20 | $3,040.20 | $3,040.20 | $3,040.20 | $3,040.20 |
| E-5 | Sergeant / PO2 | $2,730.30 | $2,906.10 | $3,081.90 | $3,258.00 | $3,397.50 | $3,538.20 | $3,676.50 | $3,876.30 | $3,876.30 | $3,876.30 | $3,876.30 | $3,876.30 | $3,876.30 | $3,876.30 | $3,876.30 |
| E-6 | Staff Sergeant / PO1 | $2,980.50 | $3,196.20 | $3,340.20 | $3,484.80 | $3,629.40 | $3,773.40 | $3,918.30 | $4,063.20 | $4,208.10 | $4,352.70 | $4,620.90 | $4,620.90 | $4,620.90 | $4,620.90 | $4,620.90 |
| E-7 | Sergeant First Class / CPO | $3,445.80 | $3,750.30 | $3,895.20 | $4,040.70 | $4,184.70 | $4,383.30 | $4,580.70 | $4,779.00 | $4,978.20 | $5,177.40 | $5,375.70 | $5,575.80 | $5,775.00 | $5,975.10 | $6,194.70 |
| E-8 | Master Sergeant / Sr. CPO | — | — | — | — | — | $4,957.20 | $5,165.40 | $5,373.60 | $5,581.50 | $5,789.10 | $5,997.30 | $6,205.50 | $6,413.40 | $6,621.60 | $7,139.40 |
| E-9 | Sergeant Major / Master CPO | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $6,055.50 | $6,265.80 | $6,475.50 | $6,885.00 | $7,293.00 | $7,701.00 | $9,402.60 |
Source: U.S. Department of Defense, 2025 Military Pay Tables, effective January 1, 2025
This chart shows base pay at the 4-year service mark. Use the pay calculator above for any grade and years of service combination.
2025 Monthly Base Pay by Enlisted Grade — At 4 Years of Service
Source: U.S. Department of Defense, 2025 Military Pay Tables
2025 Officer Military Pay Chart
Officer pay grades run from O-1 for a newly commissioned Second Lieutenant or Ensign through O-10 for a four-star General or Admiral.
| Pay Grade | Rank Example | <2 yrs | 2 yrs | 3 yrs | 4 yrs | 6 yrs | 8 yrs | 10 yrs | 12 yrs | 14 yrs | 16 yrs | 18 yrs | 20 yrs | 22 yrs | 24 yrs | 26+ yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-1 | 2nd Lieutenant / Ensign | $3,637.20 | $3,783.60 | $4,587.60 | $4,587.60 | $4,587.60 | $4,587.60 | $4,587.60 | $4,587.60 | $4,587.60 | $4,587.60 | $4,587.60 | $4,587.60 | $4,587.60 | $4,587.60 | $4,587.60 |
| O-2 | 1st Lieutenant / LT JG | $4,188.00 | $4,817.10 | $5,454.90 | $6,017.70 | $6,017.70 | $6,017.70 | $6,017.70 | $6,017.70 | $6,017.70 | $6,017.70 | $6,017.70 | $6,017.70 | $6,017.70 | $6,017.70 | $6,017.70 |
| O-3 | Captain / Lieutenant | $4,861.80 | $5,504.10 | $5,942.40 | $6,380.70 | $7,012.20 | $7,412.70 | $7,813.80 | $8,165.10 | $8,165.10 | $8,165.10 | $8,165.10 | $8,165.10 | $8,165.10 | $8,165.10 | $8,165.10 |
| O-4 | Major / LT Commander | $5,506.20 | $6,378.30 | $6,842.10 | $7,305.90 | $7,769.70 | $8,233.50 | $8,697.30 | $9,161.10 | $9,624.90 | $9,893.40 | $9,893.40 | $9,893.40 | $9,893.40 | $9,893.40 | $9,893.40 |
| O-5 | Lt Colonel / Commander | $6,390.60 | $7,247.70 | $7,825.50 | $8,403.30 | $8,981.10 | $9,558.90 | $10,136.70 | $10,714.50 | $11,292.30 | $11,519.70 | $11,519.70 | $11,519.70 | $11,519.70 | $11,519.70 | $11,519.70 |
| O-6 | Colonel / Captain | $7,669.80 | $8,400.30 | $9,130.80 | $9,861.30 | $10,591.80 | $11,322.30 | $12,052.80 | $12,783.30 | $13,513.80 | $13,759.20 | $13,759.20 | $13,759.20 | $13,759.20 | $13,759.20 | $13,759.20 |
| O-7 | Brig. General / RDML | $10,791.60 | $11,250.00 | $11,700.00 | $12,150.00 | $12,600.00 | $13,050.00 | $13,500.00 | $13,950.00 | $14,400.00 | $14,850.00 | $15,300.00 | $15,750.00 | $16,200.00 | $16,650.00 | $16,974.90* |
| O-8 | Major General / RADM | $12,638.40 | $13,141.50 | $13,645.20 | $14,148.30 | $14,652.00 | $15,155.10 | $15,658.80 | $16,162.50 | $16,666.20 | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* |
| O-9 | Lt General / Vice Admiral | $14,975.10 | $15,209.10 | $15,443.10 | $15,677.10 | $15,911.10 | $16,145.10 | $16,379.10 | $16,613.10 | $16,847.10 | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* |
| O-10 | General / Admiral | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* | $16,974.90* |
* Rates for O-7 and above are subject to the statutory pay cap of $16,974.90 per month per 37 U.S.C. § 203(a). Source: U.S. Department of Defense
2025 Warrant Officer Pay Chart
Warrant officers are technical specialists who outrank all enlisted grades but serve below commissioned officers.
| Pay Grade | Rank | <2 yrs | 2 yrs | 3 yrs | 4 yrs | 6 yrs | 8 yrs | 10 yrs | 12 yrs | 14 yrs | 16 yrs | 18 yrs | 20 yrs | 22 yrs | 24 yrs | 26+ yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W-1 | Warrant Officer 1 | $3,399.00 | $3,712.20 | $3,962.70 | $4,212.60 | $4,464.00 | $4,714.80 | $4,965.30 | $5,215.80 | $5,466.30 | $5,716.80 | $5,900.10 | $5,900.10 | $5,900.10 | $5,900.10 | $5,900.10 |
| W-2 | Chief Warrant Officer 2 | $3,892.20 | $4,261.80 | $4,497.00 | $4,732.50 | $4,968.60 | $5,204.10 | $5,440.50 | $5,676.00 | $5,911.50 | $6,147.60 | $6,383.40 | $6,619.50 | $6,658.50 | $6,658.50 | $6,658.50 |
| W-3 | Chief Warrant Officer 3 | $4,376.40 | $4,784.70 | $5,084.40 | $5,384.10 | $5,683.80 | $5,983.50 | $6,283.50 | $6,583.20 | $6,883.20 | $7,183.20 | $7,440.60 | $7,612.80 | $7,612.80 | $7,612.80 | $7,612.80 |
| W-4 | Chief Warrant Officer 4 | $4,867.80 | $5,303.10 | $5,640.90 | $5,978.10 | $6,316.50 | $6,654.30 | $6,992.40 | $7,330.50 | $7,668.30 | $8,006.40 | $8,344.50 | $8,682.60 | $8,739.30 | $8,739.30 | $8,739.30 |
| W-5 | Chief Warrant Officer 5 | — | — | — | — | $5,663.40 | $5,978.10 | $6,292.50 | $6,608.40 | $6,924.30 | $7,238.70 | $7,554.60 | $7,869.30 | $8,538.60 | $9,208.50 | $9,855.00 |
Source: U.S. Department of Defense
Military Rank Chart — All Branches
While pay grades are consistent across all branches, the title given to each grade differs by service.
| Pay Grade | Army | Navy | Air Force / Space Force | Marines | Coast Guard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | Private | Seaman Recruit | Airman Basic | Private | Seaman Recruit |
| E-2 | Private Second Class | Seaman Apprentice | Airman | Private First Class | Seaman Apprentice |
| E-3 | Private First Class | Seaman | Airman First Class | Lance Corporal | Seaman |
| E-4 | Specialist / Corporal | Petty Officer Third Class | Senior Airman | Corporal | Petty Officer Third Class |
| E-5 | Sergeant | Petty Officer Second Class | Staff Sergeant | Sergeant | Petty Officer Second Class |
| E-6 | Staff Sergeant | Petty Officer First Class | Technical Sergeant | Staff Sergeant | Petty Officer First Class |
| E-7 | Sergeant First Class | Chief Petty Officer | Master Sergeant | Gunnery Sergeant | Chief Petty Officer |
| E-8 | Master Sergeant | Senior Chief Petty Officer | Senior Master Sergeant | Master Sergeant | Senior Chief Petty Officer |
| E-9 | Sergeant Major | Master Chief Petty Officer | Chief Master Sergeant | Sergeant Major | Master Chief Petty Officer |
| W-1 | Warrant Officer 1 | Warrant Officer 1 | — | Warrant Officer 1 | — |
| W-2 | Chief Warrant Officer 2 | Chief Warrant Officer 2 | — | Chief Warrant Officer 2 | — |
| W-3 | Chief Warrant Officer 3 | Chief Warrant Officer 3 | — | Chief Warrant Officer 3 | Chief Warrant Officer 3 |
| W-4 | Chief Warrant Officer 4 | Chief Warrant Officer 4 | — | Chief Warrant Officer 4 | Chief Warrant Officer 4 |
| W-5 | Chief Warrant Officer 5 | Chief Warrant Officer 5 | — | Chief Warrant Officer 5 | — |
| O-1 | Second Lieutenant | Ensign | Second Lieutenant | Second Lieutenant | Ensign |
| O-2 | First Lieutenant | Lieutenant Junior Grade | First Lieutenant | First Lieutenant | Lieutenant Junior Grade |
| O-3 | Captain | Lieutenant | Captain | Captain | Lieutenant |
| O-4 | Major | Lieutenant Commander | Major | Major | Lieutenant Commander |
| O-5 | Lieutenant Colonel | Commander | Lieutenant Colonel | Lieutenant Colonel | Commander |
| O-6 | Colonel | Captain | Colonel | Colonel | Captain |
| O-7 | Brigadier General | Rear Admiral Lower Half | Brigadier General | Brigadier General | Rear Admiral Lower Half |
| O-8 | Major General | Rear Admiral | Major General | Major General | Rear Admiral |
| O-9 | Lieutenant General | Vice Admiral | Lieutenant General | Lieutenant General | Vice Admiral |
| O-10 | General | Admiral | General | General | Admiral |
Basic Allowances — BAS 2025
Basic Allowance for Subsistence covers food costs and is a flat rate that does not vary by location.
| Status | Monthly BAS Rate |
|---|---|
| Enlisted | $460.25 per month |
| Officer | $316.98 per month |
Source: U.S. Department of Defense
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is not included in this table because it varies by duty station ZIP code and dependency status. Use the official DoD BAH calculator at militarypay.defense.gov to find your specific rate.
Military Pay Raise History
Congress approves an annual pay raise for the military each year as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.
| Year | Pay Raise Percentage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1.0% | — |
| 2016 | 1.3% | — |
| 2017 | 2.1% | — |
| 2018 | 2.4% | — |
| 2019 | 2.6% | — |
| 2020 | 3.1% | Largest increase in a decade at the time |
| 2021 | 3.0% | — |
| 2022 | 2.7% | — |
| 2023 | 4.6% | Largest raise since 2002 |
| 2024 | 5.2% | Highest raise in over 20 years |
| 2025 | 4.5% | Effective January 1, 2025 |
Source: U.S. Department of Defense annual pay tables, official source
Special and Incentive Pay Chart
In addition to base pay and allowances, service members in certain roles or situations receive special and incentive pays which can significantly increase total compensation.
| Pay Type | Who Qualifies | Amount Range | Taxable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay (HDIP) | Service members exposed to specific hazards such as parachuting, demolitions, or flight deck duty | $150–$250 per month | Yes |
| Hostile Fire and Imminent Danger Pay | Service members in a designated combat zone | $225 per month flat rate | No (tax-exempt in combat zones) |
| Aviation Career Incentive Pay (ACIP) | Rated aviators and career aircrew | $125–$1,000 per month | Yes |
| Special Duty Assignment Pay (SDAP) | Drill Sergeants, recruiters, and special assignments | $75–$600 per month | Yes |
| Combat Zone Tax Exclusion (CZTE) | All pay earned in a designated combat zone month | Full monthly pay excluded from federal income tax | N/A — exclusion applied |
| Sea Pay | Enlisted and officers on sea duty | $50–$805 per month | Yes |
| Submarine Duty Incentive Pay | Submarine crew members | $75–$1,005 per month | Yes |
| Special Forces Assignment Incentive Pay | Special Operations Forces members | $375–$1,000 per month | Yes |
| Medical Officer Special Pay | Military physicians, dentists, and medical officers | $100–$12,000 per month | Yes |
| Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG) Officer Pay | Military lawyers | $5,000–$12,000 annual supplement | Yes |
Source: U.S. Department of Defense Military Compensation, 2025, official source
Military Retirement Pay Overview
Military retirement pay is calculated differently depending on which retirement system applies to the service member based on when they entered service.
| Retirement System | Who It Applies To | How Retired Pay Is Calculated | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy / High-3 System | Entered service before January 1, 2006 | 2.5% of average of highest 36 months of base pay × years of service | Requires 20 years of service to receive any retirement pay |
| Redux System | Entered service between August 1, 1986 and December 31, 2017 and elected Redux | 2.0% per year for first 20 years, then 3.5% per year for 21–30 years | Includes $30,000 career status bonus at 15 years but lower annual pay |
| Blended Retirement System (BRS) | Entered service on or after January 1, 2018, or opted in before December 31, 2018 | 2.0% per year of average highest 36 months | Includes matching TSP contributions for first 26 years |
Note: All three systems require 20 years of qualifying active duty service to receive any defined benefit retirement pay. The BRS also provides TSP matching even for members who separate before 20 years.
Source: U.S. Department of Defense Military Compensation
Total Compensation Estimator
Enter your pay grade, years of service, and dependency status to estimate your full monthly military compensation including base pay, BAH, and BAS.
Enter your grade, years of service, and dependency status to estimate your total monthly military compensation. BAH shown is a national average — your actual BAH depends on your duty station ZIP code.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting pay for a US Army Private in 2025?
E-1 base pay is $1,917.60 per month. Total monthly compensation is higher when BAH and BAS allowances are added.
How much does an E-5 Sergeant make per month in 2025?
An E-5 Sergeant earns between $2,730.30 per month at under 2 years of service and $3,876.30 per month at 12 or more years, as shown in the enlisted chart above. Allowances including BAH and BAS add several hundred to over a thousand dollars on top of base pay.
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
BAH is a housing allowance set by local rental market data and varies by ZIP code and dependency status. It is not taxable income.
When does the 2026 military pay chart take effect?
The 2026 rates take effect January 1, 2026 following Congressional approval of the National Defense Authorization Act.
Do military members pay federal income tax?
Yes, on base pay and most special pays. However all pay earned in a designated combat zone month is exempt from federal income tax under the Combat Zone Tax Exclusion.
What is the combat zone tax exclusion?
The combat zone tax exclusion makes all military pay earned in a month in which the service member serves in a designated combat zone exempt from federal income tax. This can save several thousand dollars in a combat deployment year.
How does military retirement pay work?
Service members who complete 20 qualifying active duty years receive a defined monthly benefit for life. The amount depends on which retirement system applies and is calculated as a percentage of average base pay multiplied by years of service. Many veterans also receive separate VA disability compensation based on service-connected conditions — see the VA Disability Pay Chart for 2025 rates by rating and dependent status.
What is the highest-paying military job?
General and Admiral (O-10) holds the highest base pay at up to $16,974.90 per month subject to the statutory cap. Among enlisted ranks, Sergeant Major of the Army E-9 with 26 or more years of service earns up to $9,402.60 per month in base pay.