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E-5 pay lookup
Monthly E-5 basic pay for any year of service, 2026 and projected 2027.
E-5 basic pay, 6 years
$4,110.00
a month in 2026 · $49,320 a year
- Per paycheck (twice a month)
- $2,055.00
- Per hour (2,080-hour year)
- $23.71
- 2027 with a 7% raise (projected)
- $4,397.70
- Monthly increase
- $287.70
Basic pay only: BAH, BAS and special pays are on top. 2027 figures apply the January 1, 2027 raise in the President’s alternative pay plan; DFAS publishes the final table in December.
Independent estimate tool. Not affiliated with DoD, DFAS or VA. Your LES, finance office or VA decision letter is the official amount.
E-5 pay chart 2026
E-5 pay rises at 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 years. E-5 is the first noncommissioned officer grade in the Army and Marine Corps.[em]
| Years of service | Monthly | Yearly | Projected Jan 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 or less | $3,342.90 | $40,115 | $3,576.90 |
| Over 2 | $3,598.20 | $43,178 | $3,850.07 |
| Over 3 | $3,775.80 | $45,310 | $4,040.11 |
| Over 4 | $3,946.80 | $47,362 | $4,223.08 |
| Over 6 | $4,110.00 | $49,320 | $4,397.70 |
| Over 8 | $4,299.90 | $51,599 | $4,600.89 |
| Over 10 | $4,395.30 | $52,744 | $4,702.97 |
| Over 12 | $4,421.70 | $53,060 | $4,731.22 |
The E-5 rate matters outside the service too: the Post-9/11 GI Bill housing allowance is set to the BAH of an E-5 with dependents at the campus ZIP, for every veteran regardless of rank[gibill]. See the GI Bill calculator.
E-5 BAH at major bases
Housing allowance often adds as much as basic pay. 2026 BAH for an E-5 at a sample of installations[bah]:
| Housing area | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| Norfolk/Portsmouth, VA | $2,430 | $1,908 |
| San Diego, CA | $3,975 | $3,147 |
| Washington, DC Metro Area | $3,132 | $2,832 |
| Eglin AFB, FL | $2,433 | $2,157 |
| Nellis AFB/Las Vegas, NV | $2,070 | $1,737 |
| Ogden/Hill AFB, UT | $2,118 | $1,668 |
| Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ | $1,905 | $1,428 |
| Albuquerque/Kirtland AFB, NM | $2,211 | $1,689 |
Any other duty station: BAH calculator.
E5 take-home pay at Norfolk
A married E-5 over 6 years at Norfolk (married filing jointly, 5% traditional TSP, BRS) takes home about $6,343.92 a month; the government adds another $205.50 to the TSP. The breakdown: $4,110.00 basic pay, $2,430 BAH, $476.95 BAS, minus $122.12 federal tax, $314.42 FICA, $205.50 TSP and $31 SGLI. Change any input in the military pay estimator.
E5 pay vs E6 pay
Promotion to E-6 adds $312.90 a month in basic pay at 8 years. E-5 pay stops growing after 12 years, while E-6 keeps rising until 18 years. Most services promote to E-5 and above competitively, by points, boards or tests.
Next step: E6 pay. Before it: E4 pay. For Hawaii housing at this grade, see E5 BAH with dependents in Hawaii.
E-5 rank titles by branch
| Service | Title |
|---|---|
| Army | Sergeant |
| Navy / Coast Guard | Petty Officer Second Class |
| Air Force / Space Force | Staff Sergeant |
| Marine Corps | Sergeant |
All of them earn the same pay; see which branch pays the most for where the differences come from, and the full 2026 military pay chart for every grade.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an E5 make in 2026?
$3,342.90 a month in basic pay with under 2 years, $4,110.00 over 6 and $4,421.70 after 12 years.
What is E5 BAH with dependents?
It depends on the duty station: $1,806 at Fort Bragg, $2,430 at Norfolk, $3,975 in San Diego in 2026.
What will E5 pay be in 2027?
About $4,397.70 a month over 6 years if the 7% raise for E-1 to E-5 takes effect January 1, 2027.
Sources
- Basic Pay – Enlisted, effective January 1, 2026
- BAH Rate Lookup and 2026 BAH rate files (all locations, all pay grades, ASCII)
- Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) rates
- H. Doc. 119-189, Alternative Plan for Pay Adjustments … for Members of the Armed Forces in January 2027
- Publication 15-T (2026), Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods
- Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) rates, August 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027