Military Pay Charts 2021 [updated]
2021 Military Pay Charts with Proposed Pay Raise and NDAA Latest
The latest Military Pay Charts for 2021.
The 2020 military pay raise was 3.1%. Earlier in 2020, the US Department of Defense released a statement on the 2021 proposed military pay raise. President Donald J. Trump had requested $705.4 billion to fund the Defense Department. The Department of Defense had asked for a 3% pay raise as well as for increases to housing and subsistence allowance. Find the 2021 proposed military pay charts below.
Here’s a peek ahead at the 2022 military pay raise. In order to view the 2022 estimated military pay charts, please go here. While not yet official, these are estimated based on the Employment Cost Index (ECI).
Jump to:
- Latest NDAA News: Senate and House Subcommittees Approve 3% Raise
- Military Pay Charts @ 3.0% Increase
By Paygrade
The military pay raise can be highly debated each year, but it isn’t as simple as the President or Congress picking a number. The pay raise is tied to the ECI (US Employment Cost Index) that is put out by the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.
2021 Military Pay Charts (3.0% increase from 2020)
Enlisted: E-1 – E-3
2021 Pay Charts
| Years | E-1 | E-2 | E-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 2 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,104 |
| Over 2 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,236 |
| Over 3 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,372 |
| Over 4 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,372 |
| Over 6 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,372 |
| Over 8 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,372 |
| Over 10 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,372 |
| Over 12 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,372 |
| Over 14 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,372 |
| Over 16 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,372 |
| Over 18 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,372 |
| Over 20 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,372 |
| Over 22 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,372 |
| Over 24 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,372 |
| Over 26 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,372 |
| Over 28 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,372 |
| Over 30 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,372 |
| Over 32 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,372 |
| Over 34 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,372 |
| Over 36 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,372 |
| Over 38 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,372 |
| Over 40 | $1,785 | $2,001 | $2,372 |
Enlisted: E-4 – E-6
2021 Pay Charts
| Years | E-4 | E-5 | E-6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 2 | $2,393 | $2,610 | $2,849 |
| Over 2 | $2,516 | $2,786 | $3,136 |
| Over 3 | $2,652 | $2,921 | $3,274 |
| Over 4 | $2,787 | $3,059 | $3,409 |
| Over 6 | $2,906 | $3,273 | $3,549 |
| Over 8 | $2,906 | $3,498 | $3,864 |
| Over 10 | $2,906 | $3,682 | $3,988 |
| Over 12 | $2,906 | $3,704 | $4,226 |
| Over 14 | $2,906 | $3,704 | $4,298 |
| Over 16 | $2,906 | $3,704 | $4,351 |
| Over 18 | $2,906 | $3,704 | $4,413 |
| Over 20 | $2,906 | $3,704 | $4,413 |
| Over 22 | $2,906 | $3,704 | $4,413 |
| Over 24 | $2,906 | $3,704 | $4,413 |
| Over 26 | $2,906 | $3,704 | $4,413 |
| Over 28 | $2,906 | $3,704 | $4,413 |
| Over 30 | $2,906 | $3,704 | $4,413 |
| Over 32 | $2,906 | $3,704 | $4,413 |
| Over 34 | $2,906 | $3,704 | $4,413 |
| Over 36 | $2,906 | $3,704 | $4,413 |
| Over 38 | $2,906 | $3,704 | $4,413 |
| Over 40 | $2,906 | $3,704 | $4,413 |
Senior Enlisted: E-7 – E-9
2021 Pay Charts
| Years | E-7 | E-8 | E-9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 2 | $3,208 | ||
| Over 2 | $3,501 | ||
| Over 3 | $3,635 | ||
| Over 4 | $3,812 | ||
| Over 6 | $3,951 | ||
| Over 8 | $4,190 | $4,615 | |
| Over 10 | $4,324 | $4,819 | $5,637 |
| Over 12 | $4,562 | $4,945 | $5,765 |
| Over 14 | $4,760 | $5,096 | $5,926 |
| Over 16 | $4,895 | $5,261 | $6,115 |
| Over 18 | $5,039 | $5,556 | $6,307 |
| Over 20 | $5,095 | $5,706 | $6,612 |
| Over 22 | $5,282 | $5,962 | $6,872 |
| Over 24 | $5,383 | $6,104 | $7,143 |
| Over 26 | $5,765 | $6,452 | $7,560 |
| Over 28 | $5,765 | $6,452 | $7,560 |
| Over 30 | $5,765 | $6,581 | $7,938 |
| Over 32 | $5,765 | $6,581 | $7,938 |
| Over 34 | $5,765 | $6,581 | $8,335 |
| Over 36 | $5,765 | $6,581 | $8,335 |
| Over 38 | $5,765 | $6,581 | $8,753 |
| Over 40 | $5,765 | $6,581 | $8,753 |
Warrant Officers: W-1 – W-3
2021 Pay Charts
| Pay Grade | W-1 | W-2 | W-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 2 | $3,309 | $3,770 | $4,261 |
| Over 2 | $3,666 | $4,127 | $4,439 |
| Over 3 | $3,761 | $4,237 | $4,621 |
| Over 4 | $3,964 | $4,312 | $4,680 |
| Over 6 | $4,203 | $4,557 | $4,871 |
| Over 8 | $4,556 | $4,937 | $5,246 |
| Over 10 | $4,720 | $5,125 | $5,637 |
| Over 12 | $4,951 | $5,310 | $5,822 |
| Over 14 | $5,177 | $5,537 | $6,035 |
| Over 16 | $5,356 | $5,714 | $6,254 |
| Over 18 | $5,519 | $5,875 | $6,649 |
| Over 20 | $5,719 | $6,067 | $6,915 |
| Over 22 | $5,719 | $6,193 | $7,074 |
| Over 24 | $5,719 | $6,293 | $7,244 |
| Over 26 | $5,719 | $6,293 | $7,475 |
| Over 28 | $5,719 | $6,293 | $7,475 |
| Over 30 | $5,719 | $6,293 | $7,475 |
| Over 32 | $5,719 | $6,293 | $7,475 |
| Over 34 | $5,719 | $6,293 | $7,475 |
| Over 36 | $5,719 | $6,293 | $7,475 |
| Over 38 | $5,719 | $6,293 | $7,475 |
| Over 40 | $5,719 | $6,293 | $7,475 |
Warrant Officers: W-4 – W-5
2021 Pay Charts
| Years | W-4 | W-5 |
|---|---|---|
| < 2 | $4,666 | 0 |
| Over 2 | $5,019 | 0 |
| Over 3 | $5,163 | 0 |
| Over 4 | $5,305 | 0 |
| Over 6 | $5,549 | 0 |
| Over 8 | $5,790 | 0 |
| Over 10 | $6,035 | 0 |
| Over 12 | $6,403 | 0 |
| Over 14 | $6,725 | 0 |
| Over 16 | $7,032 | 0 |
| Over 18 | $7,283 | 0 |
| Over 20 | $7,529 | $8,296 |
| Over 22 | $7,888 | $8,717 |
| Over 24 | $8,184 | $9,031 |
| Over 26 | $8,521 | $9,377 |
| Over 28 | $8,521 | $9,377 |
| Over 30 | $8,691 | $9,847 |
| Over 32 | $8,691 | $9,847 |
| Over 34 | $8,691 | $10,339 |
| Over 36 | $8,691 | $10,339 |
| Over 38 | $8,691 | $10,856 |
| Over 40 | $8,691 | $10,856 |
Commissioned Officers: O-1E – O3E (w/ Prior Enlisted Experience)
2021 Pay Charts
| Years | O-1E | O-2E | O-3E |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 2 | |||
| Over 2 | |||
| Over 3 | |||
| Over 4 | $4,261 | $5,290 | $6,023 |
| Over 6 | $4,550 | $5,399 | $6,312 |
| Over 8 | $4,718 | $5,570 | $6,628 |
| Over 10 | $4,890 | $5,861 | $6,833 |
| Over 12 | $5,058 | $6,085 | $7,169 |
| Over 14 | $5,290 | $6,252 | $7,454 |
| Over 16 | $5,290 | $6,252 | $7,617 |
| Over 18 | $5,290 | $6,252 | $7,839 |
| Over 20 | $5,290 | $6,252 | $7,839 |
| Over 22 | $5,290 | $6,252 | $7,839 |
| Over 24 | $5,290 | $6,252 | $7,839 |
| Over 26 | $5,290 | $6,252 | $7,839 |
| Over 28 | $5,290 | $6,252 | $7,839 |
| Over 30 | $5,290 | $6,252 | $7,839 |
| Over 32 | $5,290 | $6,252 | $7,839 |
| Over 34 | $5,290 | $6,252 | $7,839 |
| Over 36 | $5,290 | $6,252 | $7,839 |
| Over 38 | $5,290 | $6,252 | $7,839 |
| Over 40 | $5,290 | $6,252 | $7,839 |
Commissioned Officers: O-1 – O-3
2021 Pay Charts
| Years | O-1 | O-2 | O-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 2 | $3,386 | $3,901 | $4,515 |
| Over 2 | $3,524 | $4,443 | $5,118 |
| Over 3 | $4,260 | $5,117 | $5,523 |
| Over 4 | $4,260 | $5,290 | $6,023 |
| Over 6 | $4,260 | $5,399 | $6,312 |
| Over 8 | $4,260 | $5,399 | $6,628 |
| Over 10 | $4,260 | $5,399 | $6,833 |
| Over 12 | $4,260 | $5,399 | $7,169 |
| Over 14 | $4,260 | $5,399 | $7,345 |
| Over 16 | $4,260 | $5,399 | $7,345 |
| Over 18 | $4,260 | $5,399 | $7,345 |
| Over 20 | $4,260 | $5,399 | $7,345 |
| Over 22 | $4,260 | $5,399 | $7,345 |
| Over 24 | $4,260 | $5,399 | $7,345 |
| Over 26 | $4,260 | $5,399 | $7,345 |
| Over 28 | $4,260 | $5,399 | $7,345 |
| Over 30 | $4,260 | $5,399 | $7,345 |
| Over 32 | $4,260 | $5,399 | $7,345 |
| Over 34 | $4,260 | $5,399 | $7,345 |
| Over 36 | $4,260 | $5,399 | $7,345 |
| Over 38 | $4,260 | $5,399 | $7,345 |
| Over 40 | $4,260 | $5,399 | $7,345 |
Commissioned Officers: O-4 – O6
2021 Pay Charts
| Years | O-4 | O-5 | O-6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 2 | $5,135 | $5,951 | $7,139 |
| Over 2 | $5,944 | $6,704 | $7,843 |
| Over 3 | $6,341 | $7,168 | $8,358 |
| Over 4 | $6,429 | $7,256 | $8,358 |
| Over 6 | $6,797 | $7,545 | $8,390 |
| Over 8 | $7,192 | $7,719 | $8,749 |
| Over 10 | $7,684 | $8,100 | $8,797 |
| Over 12 | $8,067 | $8,379 | $8,797 |
| Over 14 | $8,332 | $8,741 | $9,297 |
| Over 16 | $8,485 | $9,293 | $10,181 |
| Over 18 | $8,574 | $9,556 | $10,699 |
| Over 20 | $8,574 | $9,816 | $11,218 |
| Over 22 | $8,574 | $10,111 | $11,513 |
| Over 24 | $8,574 | $10,111 | $11,812 |
| Over 26 | $8,574 | $10,111 | $12,391 |
| Over 28 | $8,574 | $10,111 | $12,391 |
| Over 30 | $8,574 | $10,111 | $12,638 |
| Over 32 | $8,574 | $10,111 | $12,638 |
| Over 34 | $8,574 | $10,111 | $12,638 |
| Over 36 | $8,574 | $10,111 | $12,638 |
| Over 38 | $8,574 | $10,111 | $12,638 |
| Over 40 | $8,574 | $10,111 | $12,638 |
Flag and General Officers: O-7 – O-8
2021 Pay Charts
| Years | O-7 | O-8 |
|---|---|---|
| < 2 | $9,414 | $11,329 |
| Over 2 | $9,852 | $11,701 |
| Over 3 | $10,054 | $11,947 |
| Over 4 | $10,215 | $12,016 |
| Over 6 | $10,506 | $12,324 |
| Over 8 | $10,794 | $12,837 |
| Over 10 | $11,127 | $12,956 |
| Over 12 | $11,458 | $13,444 |
| Over 14 | $11,791 | $13,584 |
| Over 16 | $12,837 | $14,004 |
| Over 18 | $13,719 | $14,612 |
| Over 20 | $13,719 | $15,172 |
| Over 22 | $13,719 | $15,546 |
| Over 24 | $13,719 | $15,546 |
| Over 26 | $13,790 | $15,546 |
| Over 28 | $13,790 | $15,546 |
| Over 30 | $14,066 | $15,935 |
| Over 32 | $14,066 | $15,935 |
| Over 34 | $14,066 | $16,333 |
| Over 36 | $14,066 | $16,333 |
| Over 38 | $14,066 | $16,333 |
| Over 40 | $14,066 | $16,333 |
Flag and General Officers: O-9 – O-10
2021 Pay Charts
| Years | O-9 | O-10 |
|---|---|---|
| < 2 | ||
| Over 2 | ||
| Over 3 | ||
| Over 4 | ||
| Over 6 | ||
| Over 8 | ||
| Over 10 | ||
| Over 12 | ||
| Over 14 | ||
| Over 16 | ||
| Over 18 | ||
| Over 20 | $16,012 | $16,608 |
| Over 22 | $16,244 | $16,608 |
| Over 24 | $16,577 | $16,608 |
| Over 26 | $16,608 | $16,608 |
| Over 28 | $16,608 | $16,608 |
| Over 30 | $16,608 | $16,608 |
| Over 32 | $16,608 | $16,608 |
| Over 34 | $16,608 | $16,608 |
| Over 36 | $16,608 | $16,608 |
| Over 38 | $16,608 | $16,608 |
| Over 40 | $16,608 | $16,608 |
The Latest on the NDAA and Military Pay 2021 Increase
SASC NDAA Highlights
Troop Pay Increase
The $750.50 billion dollar Senate budget plan would increase annual pay for troops by 3% for 2021. This increase matches the federal calculation of next year’s projected civilian raises, as well as the amount requested by the White House. Also included in the plan are re-authorizations for 30 different bonuses and specialty pays.
Troop Strength Increase
The plan proposes a total increase of 6,000 troops, with changes to each branch as follows:
- Active duty Army will increase by 5,000 to a total troop number of 485,000
- Navy will increase by 6,200 to a total of 346,730
- Air Force will increase 675 to a total of 333,475
- The Marine troop number will be decrease by 6,200 to a new total of 180,000
Family Housing Improvements
New hiring authorities would be required to oversee outside housing contractors, and “substandard family housing” would be prohibited. The plan would also require the Defense Department inspector general to audit the medical conditions of those who previously resided in privatized housing to identify any long-term effects that may have resulted from improper housing.
Child-care Availability Improvements
In order to better recruit and retain child-care workers on base, leaders would be instructed to provide improved benefits packages. This would work to increase child-care and day-care availability for troops and their families.
RELATED: Military Gets Free Assistance Finding Child Care
Increased Defense Funding
Long-range assault aircraft and drone funding would be increased with this plan, as well as a 5 million dollar allowance for Army Cyber Mission Forces.
Transparency
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, has put forth language in the bill to require monetary totals for military research projects to be made public.
Current Issues
Other proposals that address more recent events include an amendment put forward by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-VA, to prevent military funds or personnel being used “against American citizens exercising their first amendment rights,” and $44 million in funding towards COVID-19 vaccine research currently being conducted by the DOD.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is also planning to add an amendment to hold a review and recommendation process regarding renaming Confederate-named military bases. This is in contrast to Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s, D-Mass., amendment that would require all Confederate-named bases, aircraft, ships, streets, etc. to be renamed within three years without such a process.
The SASC voted to advance the NDAA to the floor with a bipartisan vote of 25-2. Politico reported that there is a possibility the NDAA would take longer to see the floor as police reform has become a more pressing issue.
House Subcommittees’ NDAA Highlights
Troop Pay Increase
The House subcommittees have also included a 3% pay increase for troops.
Increased Defense Funding
The Navy would be authorized to buy eight battle-force ships. This includes what the White House requested, plus an additional Virginia-class submarine.
Transparency
Representatives Katie Porter, D-Calif., and Francis Rooney, R-Fla., have put forth an amendment that requires all unclassified Pentagon reports ordered by Congress to be made public.
Current Issues
Questions to Pentagon workplace surveys would be added, asking if “racism, anti-Semitism and supremacism” have ever been experienced while on duty. Supremacist, extremist, and criminal gang activity already are tracked when part of a criminal probe, but the bill would require tracking when handled only by administrative means or by commanders. An annual report from each military branch of the gender and race of officers recommended for promotion would also be required.
Related to the recent coronavirus outbreak, included is a requirement for troops to have the necessary PPE and diagnostic equipment for infectious diseases. They would also require a review on the current level of preparedness regarding chemical and biological threats.
End of update.
2021 Pay Raise Could Help Stabilize
Food Insecurity
Military members and their families are at or below the 200% poverty line, Sen. Tammy Duckworth pointed out. Making them eligible for food stamps and free lunch programs for school-age children.
Competitive Pay
Organizations know that if they don’t offer competitive pay, they will soon lose their most talented employees, the same is true for the armed services. The armed forces lose highly trained military members to the civilian sector each year.
Military Pay Raise Tied to ECI (Employment Cost Index)
According to news reports the key government index used as a guideline for civilian wages indicates the military pay increase for fiscal 2021 will be at least 2.9 percent. Earlier reports were that the White House was seeking a 3 percent raise for 2021, but by law, military pay increases are tied to the U.S. Employment Cost Index (ECI) put out by the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which was released last week.
Stay Tuned for Future Updates. Until then, here is a sneak peek at the projected 2021 military pay — based on the 3.0 percent ECI rate.
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