Military Pay Charts 2026 with Military Pay Calculator
The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act has passed the House and Senate and was signed into law by the President on December 18 2025.
2026 Military Pay Charts by Rank / Paygrade
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2026 Military Pay Charts
Enlisted Military Pay Charts 2026: E1 – E3
Enlisted military members between E1 and E3 are commonly known as junior enlisted troops. These are the ranks people typically begin military service at, and each branch of service has its own names for E1 through E3. For example, in the Army and Marine Corps, an E1 is a Private.
In the Air Force, an E1 is an Airman Basic. In the Navy, an E1 is a Seaman Recruit, and after four months, they earn a small pay raise and become a Seaman Apprentice while remaining an E1. Those in the Space Force are Specialists as E1s.
| Pay Grade | E-1 | E-2 | E-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 2 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 2,837 |
| Over 2 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 3,015 |
| Over 3 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 3,198 |
| Over 4 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 3,198 |
| Over 6 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 3,198 |
| Over 8 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 3,198 |
| Over 10 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 3,198 |
| Over 12 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 3,198 |
| Over 14 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 3,198 |
| Over 16 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 3,198 |
| Over 18 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 3,198 |
| Over 20 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 3,198 |
| Over 22 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 3,198 |
| Over 24 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 3,198 |
| Over 26 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 3,198 |
| Over 28 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 3,198 |
| Over 30 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 3,198 |
| Over 32 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 3,198 |
| Over 34 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 3,198 |
| Over 36 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 3,198 |
| Over 38 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 3,198 |
| Over 40 | 2,407 | 2,698 | 3,198 |
Enlisted Pay Chart 2026: E-4 – E-6
Enlisted ranks between E4 and E6 are considered mid-level management, and, similar to the junior enlisted grades, each branch of military service has a different idea of what E4 through E6 means. In the Army, an E4 may be a Specialist or a Corporal. Space Force E4s are also called Specialists. In the Navy, an E4 is a Petty Officer 3rd Class, and in the Air Force, an E4 is a Senior Airman.
| Pay Grade | E-4 | E-5 | E-6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 2 | 3,142 | 3,343 | 3,401 |
| Over 2 | 3,303 | 3,598 | 3,743 |
| Over 3 | 3,482 | 3,776 | 3,908 |
| Over 4 | 3,659 | 3,947 | 4,069 |
| Over 6 | 3,815 | 4,110 | 4,236 |
| Over 8 | 3,815 | 4,300 | 4,613 |
| Over 10 | 3,815 | 4,395 | 4,759 |
| Over 12 | 3,815 | 4,422 | 5,043 |
| Over 14 | 3,815 | 4,422 | 5,130 |
| Over 16 | 3,815 | 4,422 | 5,194 |
| Over 18 | 3,815 | 4,422 | 5,268 |
| Over 20 | 3,815 | 4,422 | 5,268 |
| Over 22 | 3,815 | 4,422 | 5,268 |
| Over 24 | 3,815 | 4,422 | 5,268 |
| Over 26 | 3,815 | 4,422 | 5,268 |
| Over 28 | 3,815 | 4,422 | 5,268 |
| Over 30 | 3,815 | 4,422 | 5,268 |
| Over 32 | 3,815 | 4,422 | 5,268 |
| Over 34 | 3,815 | 4,422 | 5,268 |
| Over 36 | 3,815 | 4,422 | 5,268 |
| Over 38 | 3,815 | 4,422 | 5,268 |
| Over 40 | 3,815 | 4,422 | 5,268 |
Enlisted Pay Chart 2026: E-7 – E-9
E7 through E9 ranks are senior enlisted positions. The Air Force and Space Force call their first senior enlisted grade (E7) Master Sergeant, while the Marine Corps and Navy have Chief Petty Officers at that grade. A Marine Corps E7 is a Gunnery Sergeant. Each branch of service has its own traditions regarding time in grade and military promotions, and there is greater variation among senior enlisted ranks across the services.
| Pay Grade | E-7 | E-8 | E-9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 2 | 3,932 | - | - |
| Over 2 | 4,291 | - | - |
| Over 3 | 4,456 | - | - |
| Over 4 | 4,673 | - | - |
| Over 6 | 4,844 | - | - |
| Over 8 | 5,136 | 5,657 | - |
| Over 10 | 5,300 | 5,907 | 6,910 |
| Over 12 | 5,592 | 6,062 | 7,067 |
| Over 14 | 5,835 | 6,247 | 7,264 |
| Over 16 | 6,001 | 6,448 | 7,496 |
| Over 18 | 6,177 | 6,811 | 7,731 |
| Over 20 | 6,246 | 6,995 | 8,105 |
| Over 22 | 6,475 | 7,308 | 8,423 |
| Over 24 | 6,598 | 7,482 | 8,757 |
| Over 26 | 7,068 | 7,909 | 9,268 |
| Over 28 | 7,068 | 7,909 | 9,268 |
| Over 30 | 7,068 | 8,067 | 9,730 |
| Over 32 | 7,068 | 8,067 | 9,730 |
| Over 34 | 7,068 | 8,067 | 10,217 |
| Over 36 | 7,068 | 8,067 | 9,777 |
| Over 38 | 7,068 | 8,067 | 10,729 |
| Over 40 | 7,068 | 8,067 | 10,729 |
Warrant Officer Pay Chart 2026
Warrant officers have a unique position in the Department of Defense. These are not enlisted troops; they function above enlisted soldiers and sailors. Merriam-Webster defines a warrant officer as “…an officer in the armed forces holding rank by virtue of a warrant and ranking above a noncommissioned officer and below a commissioned officer.”
Not all branches of the military have maintained warrant officer positions. If you look at an Army Pay Chart from 2024, you’ll find Warrant Officer pay, but not if you look at an Air Force military pay chart from the years 1959 to 2024. In the spring of 2024, the Air Force began accepting applications for warrant officer jobs, and a small number of these Airmen are affected by the pay charts below.
Warrant Officer Payscale 2026: W-1 – W-3
| Pay Grade | W-1 | W-2 | W-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 2 | 4,057 | 4,622 | 5,223 |
| Over 2 | 4,494 | 5,059 | 5,440 |
| Over 3 | 4,611 | 5,193 | 5,664 |
| Over 4 | 4,859 | 5,286 | 5,737 |
| Over 6 | 5,152 | 5,585 | 5,971 |
| Over 8 | 5,584 | 6,051 | 6,431 |
| Over 10 | 5,786 | 6,282 | 6,911 |
| Over 12 | 6,069 | 6,510 | 7,136 |
| Over 14 | 6,347 | 6,788 | 7,398 |
| Over 16 | 6,565 | 7,005 | 7,666 |
| Over 18 | 6,766 | 7,201 | 8,150 |
| Over 20 | 7,010 | 7,437 | 8,477 |
| Over 22 | 7,010 | 7,592 | 8,672 |
| Over 24 | 7,010 | 7,714 | 8,880 |
| Over 26 | 7,010 | 7,714 | 9,163 |
| Over 28 | 7,010 | 7,714 | 9,163 |
| Over 30 | 7,010 | 7,714 | 9,163 |
| Over 32 | 7,010 | 7,714 | 9,163 |
| Over 34 | 7,010 | 7,714 | 9,163 |
| Over 36 | 7,010 | 7,714 | 9,163 |
| Over 38 | 7,010 | 7,714 | 9,163 |
| Over 40 | 7,010 | 7,714 | 9,163 |
Warrant Officer Payscale 2026: W-4 – W-5
| Pay Grade | W-4 | W-5 |
|---|---|---|
| < 2 | 5,720 | - |
| Over 2 | 6,152 | - |
| Over 3 | 6,329 | - |
| Over 4 | 6,502 | - |
| Over 6 | 6,802 | - |
| Over 8 | 7,098 | - |
| Over 10 | 7,398 | - |
| Over 12 | 7,848 | - |
| Over 14 | 8,244 | - |
| Over 16 | 8,620 | - |
| Over 18 | 8,928 | - |
| Over 20 | 9,229 | 10,170 |
| Over 22 | 9,670 | 10,686 |
| Over 24 | 10,032 | 11,070 |
| Over 26 | 10,445 | 11,495 |
| Over 28 | 10,445 | 11,495 |
| Over 30 | 10,654 | 12,071 |
| Over 32 | 10,654 | 12,071 |
| Over 34 | 10,654 | 12,673 |
| Over 36 | 10,654 | 12,673 |
| Over 38 | 10,654 | 13,308 |
| Over 40 | 10,654 | 13,308 |
Commissioned Officer Pay Scale
A commissioned officer has completed a 4-year degree program and has completed or will successfully complete officer training and advanced training in a military career field. Commissioned officers don’t use the enlisted pay chart; their training and experience are compensated at a higher level than enlisted troops. Officers may graduate from an ROTC program, from a traditional university, or from a military service academy before entering active service.
Commissioned Officers Military Pay 2026: O-1E – O-3E
Commissioned Officers in the grades of O1 through O3 are junior officers. The ranks are fairly typical (2nd Lieutenants, 1st Lieutenants, Captain), and the level of responsibility is relatively typical, too. The earliest years of an officer’s career are spent learning what it means to be an officer and leading in a specific military specialty or career field. “Prior enlisted” simply means the officer had a previous military career as an enlisted member.
| Pay Grade | O-1E | O-2E | O-3E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 4 | 5,222 | 6,485 | 7,383 |
| Over 6 | 5,577 | 6,618 | 7,737 |
| Over 8 | 5,783 | 6,828 | 8,125 |
| Over 10 | 5,994 | 7,184 | 8,376 |
| Over 12 | 6,201 | 7,459 | 8,788 |
| Over 14 | 6,485 | 7,664 | 9,137 |
| Over 16 | 6,485 | 7,664 | 9,337 |
| Over 18 | 6,485 | 7,664 | 9,609 |
| Over 20 | 6,485 | 7,664 | 9,609 |
| Over 22 | 6,485 | 7,664 | 9,609 |
| Over 24 | 6,485 | 7,664 | 9,609 |
| Over 26 | 6,485 | 7,664 | 9,609 |
| Over 28 | 6,485 | 7,664 | 9,609 |
| Over 30 | 6,485 | 7,664 | 9,609 |
| Over 32 | 6,485 | 7,664 | 9,609 |
| Over 34 | 6,485 | 7,664 | 9,609 |
| Over 36 | 6,485 | 7,664 | 9,609 |
| Over 38 | 6,485 | 7,664 | 9,609 |
| Over 40 | 6,485 | 7,664 | 9,609 |
Commissioned Officers Military Pay 2026: O-1 – O-3
| Pay Grade | O-1 | O-2 | O-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 2 | 4,150 | 4,782 | 5,534 |
| Over 2 | 4,320 | 5,446 | 6,274 |
| Over 3 | 5,222 | 6,273 | 6,770 |
| Over 4 | 5,222 | 6,485 | 7,383 |
| Over 6 | 5,222 | 6,618 | 7,737 |
| Over 8 | 5,222 | 6,618 | 8,125 |
| Over 10 | 5,222 | 6,618 | 8,376 |
| Over 12 | 5,222 | 6,618 | 8,788 |
| Over 14 | 5,222 | 6,618 | 9,004 |
| Over 16 | 5,222 | 6,618 | 9,004 |
| Over 18 | 5,222 | 6,618 | 9,004 |
| Over 20 | 5,222 | 6,618 | 9,004 |
| Over 22 | 5,222 | 6,618 | 9,004 |
| Over 24 | 5,222 | 6,618 | 9,004 |
| Over 26 | 5,222 | 6,618 | 9,004 |
| Over 28 | 5,222 | 6,618 | 9,004 |
| Over 30 | 5,222 | 6,618 | 9,004 |
| Over 32 | 5,222 | 6,618 | 9,004 |
| Over 34 | 5,222 | 6,618 | 9,004 |
| Over 36 | 5,222 | 6,618 | 9,004 |
| Over 38 | 5,222 | 6,618 | 9,004 |
| Over 40 | 5,222 | 6,618 | 9,004 |
Commissioned Officers Military Pay 2026: O-4 – O-6
O4 through O6 is mid-level management. Military officers at this point in their careers may be groomed for higher leadership roles; they may receive additional training, be designated as Field Grade officers, and move into managing their fellow junior officers. O4 is typically a Major in the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Army, and a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the Navy.
| Pay Grade | O-4 | O-5 | O-6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 2 | 6,295 | 7,295 | 8,751 |
| Over 2 | 7,286 | 8,218 | 9,614 |
| Over 3 | 7,773 | 8,787 | 10,245 |
| Over 4 | 7,881 | 8,894 | 10,245 |
| Over 6 | 8,332 | 9,250 | 10,284 |
| Over 8 | 8,816 | 9,461 | 10,725 |
| Over 10 | 9,420 | 9,928 | 10,783 |
| Over 12 | 9,888 | 10,272 | 10,783 |
| Over 14 | 10,215 | 10,715 | 11,396 |
| Over 16 | 10,402 | 11,391 | 12,480 |
| Over 18 | 10,510 | 11,714 | 13,116 |
| Over 20 | 10,510 | 12,033 | 13,751 |
| Over 22 | 10,510 | 12,395 | 14,113 |
| Over 24 | 10,510 | 12,395 | 14,479 |
| Over 26 | 10,510 | 12,395 | 15,189 |
| Over 28 | 10,510 | 12,395 | 15,189 |
| Over 30 | 10,510 | 12,395 | 15,492 |
| Over 32 | 10,510 | 12,395 | 15,492 |
| Over 34 | 10,510 | 12,395 | 15,492 |
| Over 36 | 10,510 | 12,395 | 15,492 |
| Over 38 | 10,510 | 12,395 | 15,492 |
| Over 40 | 10,510 | 12,395 | 15,492 |
Flag and General Officers Military Pay: O-7 – O-8
Flag officers are the most senior in the United States military and typically have responsibilities far above and beyond daily operations. They are responsible for shaping the future of the force, creating policies and procedures to carry out the mission, and reporting to senior officials on the status and progress of these efforts. Flag officer ranks typically vary by service, but Admirals and Generals are typically considered flag officers.
| Pay Grade | O-7 | O-8 |
|---|---|---|
| < 2 | 11,540 | 13,888 |
| Over 2 | 12,076 | 14,344 |
| Over 3 | 12,324 | 14,645 |
| Over 4 | 12,522 | 14,730 |
| Over 6 | 12,879 | 15,107 |
| Over 8 | 13,232 | 15,735 |
| Over 10 | 13,639 | 15,882 |
| Over 12 | 14,046 | 16,480 |
| Over 14 | 14,454 | 16,652 |
| Over 16 | 15,735 | 17,167 |
| Over 18 | 16,818 | 17,912 |
| Over 20 | 16,818 | 18,598 |
| Over 22 | 16,818 | 19,057 |
| Over 24 | 16,818 | 19,057 |
| Over 26 | 16,904 | 19,057 |
| Over 28 | 16,904 | 19,057 |
| Over 30 | 17,242 | 19,523 |
| Over 32 | 17,242 | 19,523 |
| Over 34 | 17,242 | 19,523 |
| Over 36 | 17,242 | 19,523 |
| Over 38 | 17,242 | 19,523 |
| Over 40 | 17,242 | 19,523 |
Flag and General Officers Military Scale: O-9 – O-10
| Pay Grade | O-9 | O-10 |
|---|---|---|
| Over 20 | 19,523 | 19,523 |
| Over 22 | 19,523 | 19,523 |
| Over 24 | 19,523 | 19,523 |
| Over 26 | 19,523 | 19,523 |
| Over 28 | 19,523 | 19,523 |
| Over 30 | 19,523 | 19,523 |
| Over 32 | 19,523 | 19,523 |
| Over 34 | 19,523 | 19,523 |
| Over 36 | 19,523 | 19,523 |
| Over 38 | 19,523 | 19,523 |
| Over 40 | 19,523 | 19,523 |
What Is In the NDAA?
According to Congress.gov, the National Defense Authorization Act “provides authorization of appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD), nuclear weapons programs of the Department of Energy, and other defense-related activities.”
The NDAA is also the document that codifies “defense policies and restrictions, and addresses organizational administrative matters related to the DOD. Unlike an appropriations bill, the NDAA does not provide budget authority for government activities.”
The President signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 into law on December 18, 2025. The act authorizes $900.6 billion for national defense, with $855.7 billion for the Department of Defense and $34.3 billion for nuclear programs.
The 2026 NDAA includes but is not limited to the following:
-
Authorizes a 3.8 percent pay raise.
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Increases the Family Separation Allowance to $300 per month.
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Extends the in-home child care fee assistance pilot program through 2029.
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Establishes a pilot program for increased child care payments in high-cost areas.
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Modifies parental leave rules to allow usage over two years.
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Directs the creation of a centralized credentialing system for medical providers.
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Authorizes $50 million for Department of Defense Impact Aid for local schools.
Why Does the NDAA Take So Long?
These negotiations can be fraught, as noted on Congress.gov. “The Constitution requires that the House and Senate approve the same bill in precisely the same form before it is presented to the President.” Each chamber is required to pass “its own version of the same measure and then attempt to reach agreement with the other chamber about its provisions.”
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About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
