2026 Military Pay Charts with the Proposed 3.8% Military Pay Raise
Military members would see a 3.8% pay increase for 2026 if the numbers in the House and Senate versions of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) survive the reconciliation process.
Proposed 3.8% Military Pay Raise with 2026 Proposed Military Pay Charts
The pay increase is not law until the NDAA has passed through the process and is sent to the President’s desk for signature. This has yet to happen at press time. This is an ongoing story.
>>Never miss a benefits update. Get the MyMilitaryBenefits Newsletter today.
What Is 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.”
2026 National Defense Authorization Act
As stated above, the NDAA is the annual legislation that authorizes the DoD budget and policies for the next fiscal year. The House and Senate Armed Services Committees draft and advance versions of this bill (which has already happened) and at press time, must be debated and passed by the full House and Senate.
That’s one reason why there are so many breathless headlines about military pay when the NDAA is being drafted and debated; multiple versions of the same bill mean multiple proposals for pay increases and other federal funding.
The proposed 3.8% raise has been a topic of discussion since it is substantially lower than the increases from the previous NDAA. Last year, most service members received a 4.5% raise, and junior enlisted members (E-1 through E-4) also got a 14.5% pay boost.
This larger increase was a direct response to concerns that their pay was not keeping pace with the rising cost of living. NDAA negotiations are not just about pay; they also involve a larger debate over the total defense budget.
The House bill matches the presidential budget request; the Senate version authorizes a higher amount.
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.”
2026 Proposed Military Pay Charts
We’re providing the Military Pay Charts for 2026 with the proposed 3.8% increase as recommended by the House and Senate. These are not yet signed and would not go in to effect until Jan 1, 2026. Actual figures may change. We’ll update these numbers as we learn more.
We provide these pay charts for informational and entertainment purposes only.
Enlisted Military Pay Charts 2026: E1 – E3 (proposed)
| 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 (proposed)
| 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 (proposed)
| 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 Payscale 2026: W-1 – W-3 (proposed)
| 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 (proposed)
| 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 Officers Military Pay 2026: O-1E – O-3E (proposed)
| 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 (proposed)
| 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 (proposed)
| 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 (proposed)
| 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 (proposed)
| 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 |
Contents of the 2026 NDAA
At the time of this press release, the final version of the 2026 NDAA is still under negotiation. The following information is based on publicly available data regarding House and Senate committee-approved bills as of mid-July 2025. This information is subject to change, but was accurate at press time. What else is in the 2026 NDAA besides military pay raise information?
Both the House and Senate bills contain streamlining measures for the defense acquisition process. These include moving the Department of Defense (DoD) toward using commercial procurement as a default, reducing administrative burdens on “nontraditional” defense contractors, and reforming the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC).
Both chambers’ bills include provisions that would require contracting officers to prioritize commercial products and services. The legislation aims to limit the use of non-commercial procedures and reduce the “flow-down” of non-commercial clauses to subcontractors, which would ease the path for commercial companies to work with the DoD.
2026 NDAA Overseas Provisions
Both bills contain language related to the U.S. military presence abroad. The Senate version prohibits a reduction in U.S. forces in Europe unless the Secretary of Defense provides a certification, while the House bill aims to stop troop reductions in Europe. Both bills also prohibit a reduction in the U.S. military posture on the Korean Peninsula without proper certification.
House and Senate bills authorize funding for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative and include provisions to strengthen Taiwan’s defense capabilities and critical digital infrastructure. The shared focus on this issue indicates a broad consensus between the two chambers.
Both the House and Senate versions support the “Golden Dome” missile defense architecture. The bills also call for revisions to national missile defense policy and an increased emphasis on the development and acquisition of hypersonic weapons.
While the House and Senate have different proposals for the number of F-35s to be authorized, they share a common interest in addressing program issues. The House bill includes provisions for support equipment for the F-35 fleet, while the Senate’s version aims to establish an open mission systems computing environment for the jet.
>>Never miss a benefits update. Get the MyMilitaryBenefits Newsletter today.
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.
