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Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): A 3.8% military pay increase to basic pay is lined up for every rank in 2026. The House passed its NDAA 231–196 (Sept 10, 2025) and the Senate passed its version 77–20 (Oct 9, 2025). Final pay tables become law only after conference and the President’s signature.
Why 3.8%? By statute, basic pay tracks the Employment Cost Index (ECI). See 37 U.S.C. §1009 and the Q3-2024 ECI release, which points to a 3.8% adjustment for calendar year 2026 unless Congress or the President sets a different figure in the final NDAA.
BAH/BAS watch: Housing and subsistence allowances are on a separate track. The Senate is pushing for more transparency in how BAH is calculated (methodology and market inputs)—see the SASC FY26 NDAA Executive Summary. Don’t assume BAH/BAS move 3.8%—DoD will publish 2026 allowance guidance separately (learn how BAH is built here: DTMO BAH Overview).
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- 2026 military pay raise: All grades are slated for a 3.8% basic pay increase in 2026. The Senate (77–20 on Oct 9, 2025) and House (231–196 on Sept 10, 2025) passed their NDAA versions; the raise becomes law only after conference, final passage, and the President’s signature.
- Why 3.8%: By statute, basic pay follows the Employment Cost Index (ECI) under 37 U.S.C. §1009. The Q3-2024 ECI points to 3.8% unless Congress or the President sets a different figure in the final NDAA.
- Shutdown context (NSPM-8): During the current shutdown, the White House directed DoD to use available funds to keep troops paid—this protects near-term paychecks but does not finalize 2026 rates; only an enacted NDAA does.
- Budget & allowances to watch: The Administration requested ~$1.01T for FY26 national defense, while Senate toplines are ~$925B, leaving a conference gap. BAH/BAS are separate from basic pay, with a Senate push for greater BAH transparency; DoD will issue separate 2026 guidance for allowances.
2026 Military Pay Charts (3.8% Pay Raise)
Find your expected 2026 military pay increase: The 2026 military pay charts below convert the 3.8% basic pay increase into clear monthly dollars—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 proposed 2026 military pay raise—and is it final?
The current proposal is a 3.8% across-the-board increase to basic pay for all grades in 2026. It is not final until the House–Senate conference produces a single bill, both chambers pass it, and the President signs it into law. However, it’s expected to be signed into law soon.
2. Why a 3.8% pay increase?
By statute, annual basic pay adjustments follow the Employment Cost Index (ECI). See 37 U.S.C. §1009 and the BLS Q3-2024 ECI release, which together point to a 3.8% raise for calendar year 2026 unless Congress or the President specifies a different percentage in the NDAA.
3. What is the current status of the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)?
The House passed its version 231–196 on Sept. 10, 2025 and the Senate passed its version 77–20 on Oct. 9, 2025. The next step is a conference committee to reconcile differences before final passage and signature.
4. When will the 2026 raise take effect and show up on my LES?
Once enacted, new basic pay rates take effect on January 1, 2026. You’ll typically see the change reflected on the mid-January LES. (Paydays follow the 1st and 15th schedule, adjusted when dates fall on weekends/holidays—see DFAS pay calendar for the standard cadence.)
5. Do BAH and BAS also increase by 3.8%?
No. Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) are determined through separate DoD processes and often move at different rates than basic pay. For how BAH is developed and validated, see DTMO’s pages: BAH Overview and BAH Data Collection.
6. How can I estimate my 2026 basic pay before DFAS posts official tables?
Multiply your current 2025 monthly basic pay by 1.038 to get a solid working estimate. Then add any special or incentive pays you receive (e.g., flight pay, sea pay). Wait for DoD to publish final 2026 BAH/BAS before assuming changes to allowances.
7. What changed in 2025—and why does it matter for 2026 budgeting?
In 2025, Congress executed a targeted boost—14.5% for E-1 through E-4 and 4.5% for others—to relieve junior enlisted strain. For 2026, the process returns to the ECI-linked default at 3.8% (pending enactment), which is more predictable for planning than the 2025 one-time adjustment.
8. How do prior-enlisted officer (“E” suffix) pay rates work in 2026?
O-1E, O-2E, and O-3E earn higher basic pay than the same grades without prior service because qualifying enlisted time is credited. Refer to DFAS’s official pay tables once released for exact 2026 amounts: DFAS Military Pay Tables.
9. Does the government shutdown change the 2026 raise?
No. A shutdown can disrupt operations, but it does not finalize or change the raise. Only an enacted National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) sets official 2026 basic pay tables. The proposed increase remains 3.8% until the House–Senate conference report is passed by both chambers and signed by the President under the pay formula in 37 U.S.C. §1009.
10. Are military troops still being paid during the government shutdown?
Yes. Under a presidential directive instructing DoD to use available funds to cover near-term military pay. See the White House memorandum (Presidential Actions) and DoD’s shutdown guidance for pay and operations (DoD official guidance). This keeps paychecks flowing temporarily; it’s a stop-gap and separate from the NDAA process.
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.
