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Update: The FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is now signed into law, confirming a 3.8% basic pay raise for all ranks—Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve—effective January 1, 2026.
What that means for you: base pay increases across the board, and DFAS will reflect the new rates in the 2026 military pay tables and on your LES as the updated pay takes effect.
Separately from the annual raise, there was also a one-time $1,776 “Warrior Dividend” announced to be issued outside the normal pay cycle (eligibility rules apply).
Table of Contents
2026 Military Pay Charts (Official 3.8% Pay Increase)
The official 2026 military pay charts below include the 3.8% basic pay increase for every rank, every branch, every year of service:
Commissioned Officers
| Grade & Years of Service | <2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-10 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $20,058.13 | $20,058.13 | $20,058.13 | $20,058.13 | $20,058.13 | $20,058.13 | $20,058.13 | $20,058.13 | $20,058.13 | $20,058.13 | $20,058.13 |
| O-9 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $19,628.91 | $19,912.35 | $20,058.13 | $20,058.13 | $20,058.13 | $20,058.13 | $20,058.13 | $20,058.13 | $20,058.13 | $20,058.13 | $20,058.13 |
| O-8 | $13,888.30 | $14,343.88 | $14,645.54 | $14,729.49 | $15,106.65 | $15,735.35 | $15,882.11 | $16,479.57 | $16,651.71 | $17,166.51 | $17,911.71 | $18,598.00 | $19,056.84 | $19,056.84 | $19,056.84 | $19,056.84 | $19,533.89 | $19,533.89 | $20,021.69 | $20,021.69 | $20,021.69 | $20,021.69 |
| O-7 | $11,540.12 | $12,076.08 | $12,324.37 | $12,521.89 | $12,878.54 | $13,231.62 | $13,639.36 | $14,045.80 | $14,454.19 | $15,735.35 | $16,817.67 | $16,817.67 | $16,817.67 | $16,817.67 | $16,904.23 | $16,904.23 | $17,242.33 | $17,242.33 | $17,242.33 | $17,242.33 | $17,242.33 | $17,242.33 |
| O-6 | $8,751.33 | $9,614.00 | $10,244.98 | $10,244.98 | $10,284.35 | $10,724.96 | $10,783.54 | $10,783.54 | $11,396.29 | $12,479.59 | $13,115.45 | $13,750.98 | $14,112.84 | $14,479.25 | $15,188.98 | $15,188.98 | $15,492.26 | $15,492.26 | $15,492.26 | $15,492.26 | $15,492.26 | $15,492.26 |
| O-5 | $7,295.43 | $8,218.31 | $8,787.13 | $8,894.19 | $9,249.54 | $9,461.38 | $9,928.35 | $10,271.99 | $10,714.87 | $11,391.41 | $11,713.89 | $12,032.80 | $12,394.66 | $12,394.66 | $12,394.66 | $12,394.66 | $12,394.66 | $12,394.66 | $12,394.66 | $12,394.66 | $12,394.66 | $12,394.66 |
| O-4 | $6,294.79 | $7,286.32 | $7,773.47 | $7,880.85 | $8,332.20 | $8,816.41 | $9,419.73 | $9,888.32 | $10,214.39 | $10,401.83 | $10,509.86 | $10,509.86 | $10,509.86 | $10,509.86 | $10,509.86 | $10,509.86 | $10,509.86 | $10,509.86 | $10,509.86 | $10,509.86 | $10,509.86 | $10,509.86 |
| O-3 | $5,534.30 | $6,273.64 | $6,770.54 | $7,382.64 | $7,737.02 | $8,125.24 | $8,375.81 | $8,788.43 | $9,004.18 | $9,004.18 | $9,004.18 | $9,004.18 | $9,004.18 | $9,004.18 | $9,004.18 | $9,004.18 | $9,004.18 | $9,004.18 | $9,004.18 | $9,004.18 | $9,004.18 | $9,004.18 |
| O-2 | $4,781.94 | $5,446.11 | $6,272.66 | $6,484.50 | $6,617.60 | $6,617.60 | $6,617.60 | $6,617.60 | $6,617.60 | $6,617.60 | $6,617.60 | $6,617.60 | $6,617.60 | $6,617.60 | $6,617.60 | $6,617.60 | $6,617.60 | $6,617.60 | $6,617.60 | $6,617.60 | $6,617.60 | $6,617.60 |
| O-1 | $4,150.32 | $4,320.18 | $5,222.55 | $5,222.55 | $5,222.55 | $5,222.55 | $5,222.55 | $5,222.55 | $5,222.55 | $5,222.55 | $5,222.55 | $5,222.55 | $5,222.55 | $5,222.55 | $5,222.55 | $5,222.55 | $5,222.55 | $5,222.55 | $5,222.55 | $5,222.55 | $5,222.55 | $5,222.55 |
Enlisted Members
| Grade & Years of Service | <2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-9 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $6,910.15 | $7,066.67 | $7,263.87 | $7,495.89 | $7,730.84 | $8,105.06 | $8,422.99 | $8,756.54 | $9,267.76 | $9,267.76 | $9,730.17 | $9,730.17 | $10,217.32 | $10,217.32 | $10,729.19 | $10,729.19 |
| E-8 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $5,656.65 | $5,906.90 | $6,061.79 | $6,247.28 | $6,448.06 | $6,811.22 | $6,995.40 | $7,308.13 | $7,481.57 | $7,908.84 | $7,908.84 | $8,067.31 | $8,067.31 | $8,067.31 | $8,067.31 | $8,067.31 | $8,067.31 |
| E-7 | $3,931.97 | $4,291.55 | $4,456.21 | $4,673.26 | $4,843.77 | $5,135.67 | $5,300.33 | $5,591.90 | $5,834.98 | $6,000.94 | $6,177.31 | $6,245.65 | $6,475.39 | $6,598.40 | $7,067.64 | $7,067.64 | $7,067.64 | $7,067.64 | $7,067.64 | $7,067.64 | $7,067.64 | $7,067.64 |
| E-6 | $3,401.22 | $3,742.90 | $3,908.21 | $4,068.64 | $4,235.58 | $4,612.73 | $4,759.49 | $5,043.58 | $5,130.46 | $5,193.59 | $5,267.79 | $5,267.79 | $5,267.79 | $5,267.79 | $5,267.79 | $5,267.79 | $5,267.79 | $5,267.79 | $5,267.79 | $5,267.79 | $5,267.79 | $5,267.79 |
| E-5 | $3,115.50 | $3,325.40 | $3,486.47 | $3,650.81 | $3,906.91 | $4,174.72 | $4,395.35 | $4,421.71 | $4,421.71 | $4,421.71 | $4,421.71 | $4,421.71 | $4,421.71 | $4,421.71 | $4,421.71 | $4,421.71 | $4,421.71 | $4,421.71 | $4,421.71 | $4,421.71 | $4,421.71 | $4,421.71 |
| E-4 | $3,130.18 | $3,290.27 | $3,468.55 | $3,644.33 | $3,800.14 | $3,800.14 | $3,800.14 | $3,800.14 | $3,800.14 | $3,800.14 | $3,800.14 | $3,800.14 | $3,800.14 | $3,800.14 | $3,800.14 | $3,800.14 | $3,800.14 | $3,800.14 | $3,800.14 | $3,800.14 | $3,800.14 | $3,800.14 |
| E-3 | $2,825.68 | $3,003.25 | $3,185.44 | $3,185.44 | $3,185.44 | $3,185.44 | $3,185.44 | $3,185.44 | $3,185.44 | $3,185.44 | $3,185.44 | $3,185.44 | $3,185.44 | $3,185.44 | $3,185.44 | $3,185.44 | $3,185.44 | $3,185.44 | $3,185.44 | $3,185.44 | $3,185.44 | $3,185.44 |
| E-2 | $2,687.34 | $2,687.34 | $2,687.34 | $2,687.34 | $2,687.34 | $2,687.34 | $2,687.34 | $2,687.34 | $2,687.34 | $2,687.34 | $2,687.34 | $2,687.34 | $2,687.34 | $2,687.34 | $2,687.34 | $2,687.34 | $2,687.34 | $2,687.34 | $2,687.34 | $2,687.34 | $2,687.34 | $2,687.34 |
| E-1 >4 Mon | $2,397.46 | $2,397.46 | $2,397.46 | $2,397.46 | $2,397.46 | $2,397.46 | $2,397.46 | $2,397.46 | $2,397.46 | $2,397.46 | $2,397.46 | $2,397.46 | $2,397.46 | $2,397.46 | $2,397.46 | $2,397.46 | $2,397.46 | $2,397.46 | $2,397.46 | $2,397.46 | $2,397.46 | $2,397.46 |
| E-1 <4 Mon | $2,216.69 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Prior Enlisted Officers
| Grade & Years of Service | <2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-3E | N/A | N/A | N/A | $7,382.64 | $7,737.02 | $8,125.24 | $8,375.81 | $8,788.43 | $9,136.95 | $9,337.08 | $9,609.45 | $9,609.45 | $9,609.45 | $9,609.45 | $9,609.45 | $9,609.45 | $9,609.45 | $9,609.45 | $9,609.45 | $9,609.45 | $9,609.45 | $9,609.45 |
| O-2E | N/A | N/A | N/A | $6,484.50 | $6,617.60 | $6,828.14 | $7,183.82 | $7,459.12 | $7,663.48 | $7,663.48 | $7,663.48 | $7,663.48 | $7,663.48 | $7,663.48 | $7,663.48 | $7,663.48 | $7,663.48 | $7,663.48 | $7,663.48 | $7,663.48 | $7,663.48 | $7,663.48 |
| O-1E | N/A | N/A | N/A | $5,222.55 | $5,576.60 | $5,782.91 | $5,993.78 | $6,200.74 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 | $6,484.50 |
Warrant Officers
| Grade & Years of Service | <2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W-5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $10,169.81 | $10,685.59 | $11,070.22 | $11,494.89 | $11,494.89 | $12,070.87 | $12,070.87 | $12,673.21 | $12,673.21 | $13,308.42 | $13,308.42 |
| W-4 | $5,719.78 | $6,151.93 | $6,328.63 | $6,502.40 | $6,801.78 | $7,097.91 | $7,397.94 | $7,848.31 | $8,243.69 | $8,619.86 | $8,928.36 | $9,229.04 | $9,669.65 | $10,032.16 | $10,445.43 | $10,445.43 | $10,653.70 | $10,653.70 | $10,653.70 | $10,653.70 | $10,653.70 | $10,653.70 |
| W-3 | $5,223.53 | $5,440.58 | $5,664.46 | $5,737.03 | $5,970.68 | $6,431.14 | $6,910.47 | $7,136.31 | $7,397.61 | $7,666.08 | $8,150.29 | $8,476.68 | $8,671.93 | $8,879.54 | $9,162.65 | $9,162.65 | $9,162.65 | $9,162.65 | $9,162.65 | $9,162.65 | $9,162.65 | $9,162.65 |
| W-2 | $4,621.84 | $5,058.87 | $5,193.27 | $5,286.01 | $5,585.39 | $6,051.05 | $6,282.42 | $6,509.56 | $6,787.46 | $7,004.84 | $7,201.39 | $7,436.99 | $7,591.56 | $7,714.24 | $7,714.24 | $7,714.24 | $7,714.24 | $7,714.24 | $7,714.24 | $7,714.24 | $7,714.24 | $7,714.24 |
| W-1 | $4,056.60 | $4,493.95 | $4,610.78 | $4,859.07 | $5,152.26 | $5,584.41 | $5,786.17 | $6,069.28 | $6,346.53 | $6,564.88 | $6,765.99 | $7,010.37 | $7,010.37 | $7,010.37 | $7,010.37 | $7,010.37 | $7,010.37 | $7,010.37 | $7,010.37 | $7,010.37 | $7,010.37 | $7,010.37 |
Special Pay Categories
- C/S (Chief of Staff): $20,058.13
- M/S (Master Sergeant): $11,166.87
- Cadet Status: $1,592.01
2026 Military Pay Raise: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the official 2026 military pay raise?
Military basic pay saw a 3.8% across the board for all ranks (Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve) for calendar year 2026.
2) Why is the 2026 military pay raise 3.8%?
Annual military basic pay raises are typically driven by a federal formula tied to the Employment Cost Index (ECI), unless Congress sets a different amount. For 2026, the approved increase matches that ECI-based adjustment.
3) When does the 2026 pay raise take effect?
The new basic pay rates take effect January 1, 2026. That means your pay rate is higher starting with the first pay period of the year, even if the timing of deposits varies by bank.
4) When will the raise show up on my LES and paycheck?
Most service members will see the updated pay reflected on a January LES, and the new rates should appear as DFAS processes the first pay cycles of 2026. Paydays still follow the standard 1st and 15th schedule, adjusted earlier when those dates fall on weekends or federal holidays.
5) Does BAH increase by 3.8% too?
Not necessarily. BAH is calculated separately based on local housing-market data and DoD methodology. Your BAH can go up, down, or stay the same depending on your duty location, rank, and dependency status.
6) Does BAS increase by 3.8% too?
No—BAS is set separately from basic pay and may change by a different percentage (or not at all). BAS rates are published independently from the annual basic pay tables.
7) How can I estimate my 2026 basic pay before DFAS posts the final tables?
A quick budgeting estimate is: your current monthly basic pay × 1.038. This gives you a close working number for base pay. Then add your special and incentive pays (flight pay, sea pay, hazard pay, etc.) and remember allowances (BAH/BAS) are separate.
8) What is the “Warrior Dividend,” and who gets it?
The Warrior Dividend is a one-time $1,776 payment announced as a separate quality-of-life support measure. It is intended to be paid outside the normal military pay cycle, and eligibility rules apply (meaning not every person will necessarily receive it in the same way or at the same time). Think of it as separate from your base pay raise and not built into the standard 2026 pay tables.
9) What changed in 2025—and why does it matter for 2026 planning?
2025 included unusual, targeted pay actions for certain groups, which made budgeting less “patterned” than normal. For 2026, the raise returns to a cleaner, predictable approach: 3.8% across the board to basic pay.
10) How do prior-enlisted officer (“E” suffix) pay rates work in 2026?
O-1E, O-2E, and O-3E rates are higher than standard officer pay for those who meet the qualifying prior-service requirements. If you carry an “E” pay designation, your 2026 base pay will increase by 3.8% as well—just from the higher O-xE starting point.
11) Does a government shutdown change the 2026 pay raise?
No. A shutdown can affect timing and administrative operations, but it doesn’t change the authorized 2026 basic pay increase. The pay raise is set for 2026 regardless of short-term funding disruptions.
12) Are troops still paid during a government shutdown?
Historically, pay can be delayed during a funding lapse unless Congress passes a specific fix or funding is available through other authorized means. In many cases, service members ultimately receive pay retroactively once funding is restored, but timing can vary depending on what Congress and DoD implement during that specific shutdown.
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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.
