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If you’re a junior enlisted service member—or know someone who is—there’s great news coming from Congress.
As part of the newly negotiated National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), junior enlisted troops in ranks E-1 through E-4 are set to receive a total pay raise of 14.5% in 2025.
All other service members will receive a 4.5% pay increase starting in January 2025.
This long-overdue increase will provide meaningful financial relief for our nation’s youngest service members, many of whom have struggled to make ends meet amid rising costs of living.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- Significant Military Pay Raises for 2025: Junior enlisted troops in ranks E-1 through E-4 will receive a total pay raise of 14.5% in 2025, with an across-the-board 4.5% increase starting in January and an additional 10% beginning in April. All other service members will see a 4.5% increase starting in January 2025.
- Financial Impact on Junior Enlisted Members: The pay raise translates to significant real-dollar increases, such as an annual jump from $24,206 to $27,828 for an E-1 and from $38,368 to $44,107 for an E-4 with six years of service. This provides meaningful financial relief, especially for junior troops struggling with rising living costs.
- Additional Quality-of-Life Improvements: The NDAA includes measures beyond pay, such as expanded eligibility for the Basic Needs Allowance, $1.2 billion for barracks improvements, free wireless internet in barracks, easier access to specialty health care, and better support for military families through competitive pay for child care workers and streamlined professional licensing for spouses.
- Funding and Cost Concerns: The pay raises come with significant costs, including an estimated $5.2 billion for the 4.5% raise alone in fiscal 2025 and additional billions for the junior enlisted boost. If Congress does not allocate the necessary funds, the Pentagon may face cuts to other programs, potentially affecting readiness and operations.
Breaking Down the Pay Raise for Military Troops
Here’s how the numbers add up:
- Across-the-Board Pay Raise: All service members will receive a 4.5% pay increase starting in January 2025.
- Additional Bump for Junior Enlisted: Junior enlisted members (E-1 through E-4) will get an extra 10% pay increase starting in April 2025, bringing their total pay raise to 14.5%.
What does that mean in real dollars?
Here’s a quick snapshot:
- E-1 Pay: Increases from $24,206 to $27,828 annually.
- E-4 Pay with Six Years of Service: Jumps from $38,368 to $44,107 annually.
For many junior enlisted members, this equates to an extra $3,000 to $6,000 per year—an impactful change for those living paycheck to paycheck.
>> View the projected 2025 Military Pay Chart.
Why This Matters Right Now
The push for this raise stemmed from a bipartisan effort to address the stark reality faced by many junior troops.
Studies and panels found that military pay, particularly at the lower ranks, wasn’t keeping pace with inflation or the private sector.
While the House initially proposed a 19.5% raise for junior enlisted troops, the final compromise of 14.5% still represents a major win.
It’s a clear acknowledgment of the financial challenges faced by younger service members and a step in the right direction for improving military quality of life.
More Than Just Pay Raises for Military Troops
The compromise NDAA doesn’t stop at pay.
It also includes several measures aimed at improving the quality of life for service members:
Expanded Basic Needs Allowance:
- Increases eligibility by raising the income cap from 150% to 200% of federal poverty guidelines.
Improved Barracks Living Conditions:
- $1.2 billion allocated for renovating and building new barracks (pending separate appropriations).
- Mandates free wireless internet in all barracks.
- Requires a digital system for maintenance requests to streamline repairs.
Easier Access to Specialty Healthcare:
- Service members can now seek certain specialty health care without needing Tricare referrals.
Support for Military Families:
- On-base child care worker pay must now match competitive private sector rates.
- Military spouses will find it easier to transfer professional licenses between states.
The Cost of Military Pay Raises: A Growing Concern
The proposed changes to military pay tables, while beneficial for service members, come with a hefty price tag.
The White House noted that the junior enlisted pay raise would make a “significant, permanent change” to future military budgets.
While the NDAA’s raises apply to just one year, they will increase the base dollar amounts used for future pay hikes, leading to higher costs in subsequent years.
For fiscal 2025, the Pentagon estimates that the 4.5% across-the-board raise alone will add $5.2 billion to personnel costs.
The additional junior enlisted raise could cost several billion more annually.
If Congress fails to allocate the necessary funds in the next continuing resolution (CR), the Pentagon will still have to pay the raises, potentially cutting into other programs, which could impact readiness and operations.
What Happens Next?
The House is expected to vote on the NDAA this week, with the Senate following shortly thereafter.
Once passed, this legislation will bring much-needed relief and benefits to service members and their families.
Conclusion & Wrap-Up
This 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted troops is a big win, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle.
Ensuring that all service members receive fair compensation and support for their sacrifices is an ongoing mission.
To our junior enlisted troops: Your hard work and dedication to our nation deserve recognition—and this raise is a step in the right direction.
Keep serving with excellence in all you do, knowing that positive changes are on the way.
Stay tuned for more updates on military benefits and quality-of-life improvements.
Together, we can ensure that every service member gets the support they deserve.
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About the Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.
A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.
