2026 Military Pay Charts

In 2026, servicemembers will receive a 3.8% pay increase across all ranks. The pay increase is part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), also known as the Defense Spending Bill or Defense Budget.

The pay charts below reflect the 3.8% increase for 2026 military pay. Check them out to see how the pay increase will affect your monthly budget.

Key Takeaways

• All servicemembers receive a 3.8% pay increase for 2026.
• The NDAA also included funding appropriations for a 2.4% increase in the monthly Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) and a national increase of 4.2% in the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).
• This year’s NDAA also allowed for a one-time, tax-free “Warrior Dividend” payment totalling $1,776 for all servicemembers before the end of 2025.

2026 Military Pay Charts

The following charts will show what the 3.8% increase would look like for all servicemembers in all branches.

Officers and Warrant Officers with up to 11 Years of Service

Officers and Warrant Officers with 12 to 25 Years of Service

Officers and Warrant Officers with 26 to 40 Years of Service

Officers serving in combat zones receive special pay privileges. Those ranking 0-1 and above can eliminate portions of their pay from taxes due to the dangerous nature of their role. You can calculate your full paycheck by adding your “hostile fire or imminent danger” pay to your basic pay rate. 

Prior Enlisted Officer Pay Qualifications

Notably, officers who are prior enlisted may receive an increased pay rate based on their time spent in service, among other specifications. Consult the Department of Defense’s Financial Management Regulations for more in-depth information regarding pay rates. 

Enlisted Members with up to 11 Years of Service

Enlisted Members with 12 to 25 Years of Service

Enlisted Members with 26 to 40 Years of Service

Impact of the Pay Increase

So, what would that 2026 pay increase look like in your take-home pay per month?

Pay Grade	2025 Pay	2026 Pay
E-6, 5 years of service	$3,919.80	$4,068.75
O-4, 5 years of service	$7,592.40	$7,880.91
W-4, 5 years of service	$6,264.30	$6,502.34

Military Pay Dates

Fortunately, the military follows a consistent pay schedule from year to year, with paychecks typically issued on the 1st and 15th of each month, except when these dates fall on weekends or holidays.

Want a peek at exactly when you can expect your paycheck throughout the year? Here are the Military Pay Dates for Active-Duty Paychecks.          

Previous Military Pay Raises

Budget Timeline

12/19/2025: President Trump signed the 2026 NDAA into law.

12/8/25 Update: With the government shutdown over, and both the Senate and the House of Representatives working on merging their versions of the NDAA this week, we should expect a signed compromise deal heading to the President’s desk in the next week or two. It’s also the main focus for lawmakers before the end of the year! It’s signing will touch more on the pay increases, but will also feature some better insight on BAH and BAS rates for 2026!

10/10/25 Update: Amid a government shutdown, the U.S. Senate approved the NDAA for 2026. The version will now be reconciled with the House’s version, which passed in September, as lawmakers work to combine the bills into a compromise.

Important to Note: The White House has called for a budget of more than $1 trillion; however, both the Senate and House plans come in under $925 billion.

The passage of the NDAA means that the government shutdown would soon pivot into a partial shutdown, as the military and related operations would regain funding.

7/30/25 Update: The House Armed Services Committee and Senate Committee on Armed Services have approved their versions of the defense spending bill. The committee reviews follow the White House’s budget proposal, which is calling for a 3.8% military pay raise for all servicemembers.  

Background on NDAA Process

Usually, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is signed in the late summer or early fall. I’d believe that is still a fair expectation for this year since both the White House and Congress are controlled by the same party. Even if the two weren’t the same party, the NDAA is usually the easiest budget bill to pass Congress because supporting the troops and their pay is a bipartisan effort.

Initial Budget Insights

Earlier this spring, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth tweeted that the budget would exceed $1 trillion, marking a first in U.S. history. This latest proposal from the White House shows that it was true.

Thank you Mr. President!

COMING SOON: the first TRILLION dollar @DeptofDefense budget.

President @realDonaldTrump is rebuilding our military — and FAST.

(PS: we intend to spend every taxpayer dollar wisely — on lethality and readiness) pic.twitter.com/WcZlNAHgDG

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) April 7, 2025

Timeline

Typically, this part of the budget process is the least painful for the White House and lawmakers, as both sides tend to prioritize the country’s defense. Also in the White House’s favor this year, Congress has a Republican majority, so they’ll likely run into very little pushback on budgetary issues related to defense. 

I’d expect a budget deal on defense, known as the NDAA, to be signed by the fall/winter at the very latest this year. 

BAH and BAS Increases

The 2026 NDAA also brought increases to both Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS). BAH rates jumped nationally 4.2%, while BAS rates saw a modest 2.4% increase in 2026.

Warrior Dividend

The 2026 defense budget also included a one-time, tax-free “Warrior Dividend” payment totaling $1,776 for all servicemembers. The payment was not linked to any pay raise changes, meaning the pay was not aimed to signify a monthly pay raise. The one-time payment was issued in late 2025.

Final Point

Under the first year of the second Trump administration, servicemembers saw a 3.8% military pay increase, as well as a 4.2% increase nationally for BAH, and a 2.4% increase in BAS. It also saw a one-time payment (Warrior Dividend) to military personnel. All pay increases take effect on January 1, 2026.