5/8/25 Update: The White House has released its budget proposal, and with it, we are now learning more about possible military pay raises in 2026.
The budget proposal is calling for a 3.8% military pay raise.
One thing we still aren’t sure about is increases to BAH and BAS, but that’s okay for now. But working with what we do have, let’s breakdown what a 3.8% raise could look like on your take home paycheck!
Key Takeways
- The White House proposal for the Department of Defense (DoD) comes to $1.01 Trillion, an historic high.
- The proposal to Congress calls for A 3.8% military pay incease in 2026.
- The White House and Congress are the same party, so it’s likely the budget process will come with fewer obstacles, and will be signed earlier this year.
2026 Military Pay Charts [Proposed]
The following charts will show what the proposed 3.8% increase would look like for all servicemembers in all branches.
Officers and Warrant Officers with up to 11 Years of Service
| Pay Grade | Fewer Than Two | Two or More | Three or More | Four or More | Six or More | Eight or More | 10 or more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-8 | $13,888.44 | $14,344.02 | $14,645.45 | $14,729.53 | $15,106.64 | $15,735.35 | $15,882.02 |
| O-7 | $11,540.17 | $12,076.09 | $12,324.28 | $12,522.02 | $12,878.57 | $13,231.70 | $13,639.32 |
| O-6 | $8,751.27 | $9,613.85 | $10,245.06 | $10,245.06 | $10,284.30 | $10,724.93 | $10,783.47 |
| O-5 | $7,295.48 | $8,218.16 | $8,787.09 | $8,894.21 | $9,249.51 | $9,461.27 | $9,928.37 |
| O-4 | $6,294.64 | $7,286.45 | $7,773.48 | $7,880.91 | $8,332.13 | $8,816.36 | $9,419.85 |
| O-3 | $5,534.20 | $6,273.78 | $6,770.46 | $7,382.67 | $7,737.04 | $8,125.36 | $8,375.73 |
| O-2 | $4,781.86 | $5,446.07 | $6,272.53 | $6,484.59 | $6,617.56 | $6,617.56 | $6,617.56 |
| O-1 | $4,150.34 | $4,320.05 | $5,222.49 | $5,222.49 | $5,222.49 | $5,222.49 | $5,222.49 |
| Prior Enlisted Officers | |||||||
| Pay Grade | <2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| O-3E | - | - | - | $7,382.67 | $7,737.04 | $8,125.36 | $8,375.73 |
| O-2E | - | - | - | $6,484.59 | $6,617.56 | $6,828.07 | $7,183.69 |
| O-1E | - | - | - | $5,222.49 | $5,576.55 | $5,783.01 | $5,993.83 |
| Warrant Officers | |||||||
| Pay Grade | <2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| W-4 | $5,719.80 | $6,152.02 | $6,328.58 | $6,502.34 | $6,801.91 | $7,098.05 | $7,397.93 |
| W-3 | $5,223.42 | $5,440.47 | $5,664.37 | $5,736.92 | $5,970.78 | $6,431.03 | $6,910.59 |
| W-2 | $4,621.80 | $5,059.00 | $5,193.22 | $5,286.02 | $5,585.27 | $6,051.12 | $6,282.50 |
| W-1 | $4,056.61 | $4,493.81 | $4,610.90 | $4,859.09 | $5,152.11 | $5,584.34 | $5,786.12 |
Officers and Warrant Officers with 12 to 25 Years of Service
| Pay Grade | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-10 | - | - | - | - | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 |
| O-9 | - | - | - | - | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 |
| O-8 | $16,479.60 | $16,651.80 | $17,166.55 | $17,911.73 | $18,598.05 | $19,056.75 | $19,056.75 |
| O-7 | $14,045.70 | $14,454.25 | $15,735.35 | $16,817.78 | $16,817.78 | $16,817.78 | $16,817.78 |
| O-6 | $10,783.47 | $11,396.31 | $12,479.67 | $13,115.55 | $13,751.11 | $14,112.96 | $14,479.17 |
| O-5 | $10,271.84 | $10,714.96 | $11,391.32 | $11,713.93 | $12,032.81 | $12,394.65 | $12,394.65 |
| O-4 | $9,888.20 | $10,214.54 | $10,401.69 | $10,509.75 | $10,509.75 | $10,509.75 | $10,509.75 |
| O-3 | $8,788.33 | $9,004.13 | $9,004.13 | $9,004.13 | $9,004.13 | $9,004.13 | $9,004.13 |
| O-2 | $6,617.56 | $6,617.56 | $6,617.56 | $6,617.56 | $6,617.56 | $6,617.56 | $6,617.56 |
| O-1 | $5,222.49 | $5,222.49 | $5,222.49 | $5,222.49 | $5,222.49 | $5,222.49 | $5,222.49 |
| Prior Enlisted Officers | |||||||
| Pay Grade | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 |
| O-3E | $8,788.33 | $9,137.10 | $9,337.02 | $9,609.49 | $9,609.49 | $9,609.49 | $9,609.49 |
| O-2E | $7,458.96 | $7,663.55 | $7,663.55 | $7,663.55 | $7,663.55 | $7,663.55 | $7,663.55 |
| O-1E | $6,200.60 | $6,484.59 | $6,484.59 | $6,484.59 | $6,484.59 | $6,484.59 | $6,484.59 |
| Warrant Officers | |||||||
| Pay Grade | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 |
| W-5 | - | - | - | - | $10,169.70 | $10,685.69 | $11,070.27 |
| W-4 | $7,848.21 | $8,243.69 | $8,619.86 | $8,928.46 | $9,228.96 | $9,669.59 | $10,032.06 |
| W-3 | $7,136.35 | $7,397.62 | $7,666.05 | $8,150.27 | $8,476.62 | $8,671.87 | $8,879.57 |
| W-2 | $6,509.51 | $6,787.59 | $7,004.94 | $7,201.44 | $7,436.85 | $7,591.62 | $7,714.31 |
| W-1 | $6,069.19 | $6,346.64 | $6,564.93 | $6,766.10 | $7,010.24 | $7,010.24 | $7,010.24 |
Officers and Warrant Officers with 26 to 40 Years of Service
| Pay Grade | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-10 | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 |
| O-9 | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 |
| O-8 | $19,056.75 | $19,056.75 | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 | $19,522.91 |
| O-7 | $16,904.35 | $16,904.35 | $17,242.22 | $17,242.22 | $17,242.22 | $17,242.22 | $17,242.22 | $17,242.22 |
| O-6 | $15,188.85 | $15,188.85 | $15,492.15 | $15,492.15 | $15,492.15 | $15,492.15 | $15,492.15 | $15,492.15 |
| O-5 | $12,394.65 | $12,394.65 | $12,394.65 | $12,394.65 | $12,394.65 | $12,394.65 | $12,394.65 | $12,394.65 |
| O-4 | $10,509.75 | $10,509.75 | $10,509.75 | $10,509.75 | $10,509.75 | $10,509.75 | $10,509.75 | $10,509.75 |
| O-3 | $9,004.13 | $9,004.13 | $9,004.13 | $9,004.13 | $9,004.13 | $9,004.13 | $9,004.13 | $9,004.13 |
| O-2 | $6,617.56 | $6,617.56 | $6,617.56 | $6,617.56 | $6,617.56 | $6,617.56 | $6,617.56 | $6,617.56 |
| O-1 | $5,222.49 | $5,222.49 | $5,222.49 | $5,222.49 | $5,222.49 | $5,222.49 | $5,222.49 | $5,222.49 |
| Prior Enlisted Officers | ||||||||
| Pay Grade | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 |
| O-3E | $9,609.49 | $9,609.49 | $9,609.49 | $9,609.49 | $9,609.49 | $9,609.49 | $9,609.49 | $9,609.49 |
| O-2E | $7,663.55 | $7,663.55 | $7,663.55 | $7,663.55 | $7,663.55 | $7,663.55 | $7,663.55 | $7,663.55 |
| O-1E | $6,484.59 | $6,484.59 | $6,484.59 | $6,484.59 | $6,484.59 | $6,484.59 | $6,484.59 | $6,484.59 |
| Warrant Officers | ||||||||
| Pay Grade | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 |
| W-5 | $11,495.02 | $11,495.02 | $12,070.80 | $12,070.80 | $12,673.36 | $12,673.36 | $13,308.30 | $13,308.30 |
| W-4 | $10,445.29 | $10,445.29 | $10,653.62 | $10,653.62 | $10,653.62 | $10,653.62 | $10,653.62 | $10,653.62 |
| W-3 | $9,162.63 | $9,162.63 | $9,162.63 | $9,162.63 | $9,162.63 | $9,162.63 | $9,162.63 | $9,162.63 |
| W-2 | $7,714.31 | $7,714.31 | $7,714.31 | $7,714.31 | $7,714.31 | $7,714.31 | $7,714.31 | $7,714.31 |
| W-1 | $7,010.24 | $7,010.24 | $7,010.24 | $7,010.24 | $7,010.24 | $7,010.24 | $7,010.24 | $7,010.24 |
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
| Pay Grade | Fewer Than Two | Two or More | Three or More | Four or More | Six or More | Eight or More | 10 or More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-9 | - | - | - | - | - | - | $6,657.30 |
| E-8 | - | - | - | - | - | $5,449.50 | $5,690.70 |
| E-7 | $3,788.10 | $4,134.30 | $4,293.00 | $4,502.10 | $4,666.50 | $4,947.60 | $5,106.30 |
| E-6 | $3,276.60 | $3,606.00 | $3,765.00 | $3,919.80 | $4,080.60 | $4,443.90 | $4,585.20 |
| E-5 | $3,220.50 | $3,466.50 | $3,637.50 | $3,802.20 | $3,959.40 | $4,124.40 | $4,234.50 |
| E-4 | $3,027.30 | $3,182.10 | $3,354.90 | $3,524.70 | $3,675.60 | $3,675.60 | $3,675.60 |
| E-3 | $2,733.00 | $2,904.60 | $3,081.00 | $3,081.00 | $3,081.00 | $3,081.00 | $3,081.00 |
| E-2 | $2,599.20 | $2,599.20 | $2,599.20 | $2,599.20 | $2,599.20 | $2,599.20 | $2,599.20 |
| E-1 | $2,319.00 | $2,319.00 | $2,319.00 | $2,319.00 | $2,319.00 | $2,319.00 | $2,319.00 |
| E-1 <4 Mon | $2144.10 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Enlisted Members with 12 to 25 Years of Service
| Pay Grade | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-9 | $7,066.60 | $7,263.72 | $7,496.02 | $7,730.82 | $8,105.12 | $8,423.06 | $8,756.57 |
| E-8 | $6,061.71 | $6,247.31 | $6,448.16 | $6,811.25 | $6,995.29 | $7,308.25 | $7,481.70 |
| E-7 | $5,591.81 | $5,835.01 | $6,000.99 | $6,177.24 | $6,245.75 | $6,475.25 | $6,598.25 |
| E-6 | $5,043.43 | $5,130.32 | $5,193.53 | $5,267.64 | $5,267.64 | $5,267.64 | $5,267.64 |
| E-5 | $4,421.57 | $4,421.57 | $4,421.57 | $4,421.57 | $4,421.57 | $4,421.57 | $4,421.57 |
| E-4 | $3,815.27 | $3,815.27 | $3,815.27 | $3,815.27 | $3,815.27 | $3,815.27 | $3,815.27 |
| E-3 | $3,198.08 | $3,198.08 | $3,198.08 | $3,198.08 | $3,198.08 | $3,198.08 | $3,198.08 |
| E-2 | $2,697.97 | $2,697.97 | $2,697.97 | $2,697.97 | $2,697.97 | $2,697.97 | $2,697.97 |
| E-1 | $2,407.12 | $2,407.12 | $2,407.12 | $2,407.12 | $2,407.12 | $2,407.12 | $2,407.12 |
Enlisted Members with 26 to 40 Years of Service
| Pay Grade | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-9 | $9,267.89 | $9,267.89 | $9,730.32 | $9,730.32 | $10,217.35 | $10,217.35 | $10,729.29 | $10,729.29 |
| E-8 | $7,908.94 | $7,908.94 | $8,067.44 | $8,067.44 | $8,067.44 | $8,067.44 | $8,067.44 | $8,067.44 |
| E-7 | $7,067.53 | $7,067.53 | $7,067.53 | $7,067.53 | $7,067.53 | $7,067.53 | $7,067.53 | $7,067.53 |
| E-6 | $5,267.64 | $5,267.64 | $5,267.64 | $5,267.64 | $5,267.64 | $5,267.64 | $5,267.64 | $5,267.64 |
| E-5 | $4,421.57 | $4,421.57 | $4,421.57 | $4,421.57 | $4,421.57 | $4,421.57 | $4,421.57 | $4,421.57 |
| E-4 | $3,815.27 | $3,815.27 | $3,815.27 | $3,815.27 | $3,815.27 | $3,815.27 | $3,815.27 | $3,815.27 |
| E-3 | $3,198.08 | $3,198.08 | $3,198.08 | $3,198.08 | $3,198.08 | $3,198.08 | $3,198.08 | $3,198.08 |
| E-2 | $2,697.97 | $2,697.97 | $2,697.97 | $2,697.97 | $2,697.97 | $2,697.97 | $2,697.97 | $2,697.97 |
| E-1 | $2,407.12 | $2,407.12 | $2,407.12 | $2,407.12 | $2,407.12 | $2,407.12 | $2,407.12 | $2,407.12 |
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 [proposed] |
| 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 usually going out on the 1st and 15th of each month, except for 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
| Year | Military Pay Raise Percentage | Military Pay Tables |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4.5% / 14.5% | 2025 Military Pay Tables |
| 2024 | 5.2% | 2024 Military Pay Tables |
| 2023 | 4.6% | 2023 Military Pay Tables |
| 2022 | 2.70% | 2022 Military Pay Tables |
| 2021 | 3.00% | 2021 Military Pay Tables |
| 2020 | 3.10% | 2020 Military Pay Tables |
| 2019 | 2.60% | 2019 Military Pay Tables |
| 2018 | 2.40% | 2018 Military Pay Tables |
| 2017 | 2.10% | 2017 Military Pay Tables |
| 2016 | 1.30% | 2016 Military Pay Tables |
| 2015 | 1.00% | 2015 Military Pay Tables |
| 2014 | 1.00% | 2014 Military Pay Tables |
| 2013 | 1.70% | 2013 Military Pay Tables |
| 2012 | 1.60% | 2012 Military Pay Tables |
| 2011 | 1.40% | 2011 Military Pay Tables |
| 2010 | 3.40% | 2010 Military Pay Tables |
Budget Timeline
Lawmakers are now looking through the budget request. The biggest thing that needs to happen is talks about what in the White House’s proposal lawmakers will sign off on, and what they won’t. Fortunately for the military community, pay raises are rarely disputed, so it’s easy to fathom that this pay raise, maybe a few tenths of a percentage point one way or the other, will be what servicemembers see in 2026.
Usually the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is signed in the late summer, 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 be more than $1 trillion, which would be a first in U.S. history. This latest proposal from the White House shows that was true.
Timeline
Usually this part of the budget process is the least-painful for the White House and lawmakers because both sides tend to want the best for the country’s defense. Also in the White House’s favor this year, Congress is a Republican majority this year, so they’ll likely run into very little push back on budgetary issues related to defense.
I’d expect a budget deal on defense, known as the NDAA, to be signed by the fall at the very latest this year.
BAH and BAS Increases
This latest proposal doesn’t have any request for Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) increases. This projection will be even more difficult to predict. For perspective, the last proposal for the 2025 defense budget called for a 4.5% increase to both. However BAH rates jumped 5.4% and BAS increased by only 1.2%.
So it’s hard to really figure what lawmakers will put an emphasis on this time. It would even be easier to possibly predict if both allowances had decreased, or increased, because we could get an idea of how lawmakers value each allowance.
Final Point
First years of new administrations can always be a bit tricky for predicting military pay increases, mainly because defense priorities could be different than previous administrations. The 3.8% increase is the starting point, I suspect it will be close the end point. Now we just have to see what lawmakers decide to vote on, and pass.
I’ll be updating this content as frequently as news drops on budgetary talks, so be sure to bookmark this page, or come back periodically to see any updates. I will also make sure this gets sent out in our newsletter!
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Alphonso Washington says
will the retired soldier get a raise in 2026 next year +
Ryan Guina says
Hello Alphonso, the government addresses military retirement pay raises each year. Raises are based on Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA). The raise amount is usually announced in October or November after it has been determined. Best wishes!