How big was the military pay raise in 2026?
Basic pay rose 3.8% on January 1, 2026, the Employment Cost Index increase that 37 U.S.C. 1009 uses by default[crsraise][usc1009]. Every cell of the 2026 DFAS table is the 2025 rate times 1.038, except where the Executive Schedule caps apply to senior officers[em][co]. Junior enlisted members also kept the extra raise they received on April 1, 2025 (about 10% for E-1 to E-4 and an average 7% for E-5 with under 10 years).
| Grade | Years | 2025 | 2026 | Increase per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | Under 2 | $2,319.00 | $2,407.20 | +$88.20 | +$1,058 |
| E-2 | Under 2 | $2,599.20 | $2,697.90 | +$98.70 | +$1,184 |
| E-3 | Over 2 | $2,904.60 | $3,015.00 | +$110.40 | +$1,325 |
| E-4 | Over 3 | $3,354.90 | $3,482.40 | +$127.50 | +$1,530 |
| E-5 | Over 6 | $3,959.40 | $4,110.00 | +$150.60 | +$1,807 |
| E-6 | Over 10 | $4,585.20 | $4,759.50 | +$174.30 | +$2,092 |
| E-7 | Over 16 | $5,781.30 | $6,000.90 | +$219.60 | +$2,635 |
| E-8 | Over 20 | $6,739.20 | $6,995.40 | +$256.20 | +$3,074 |
| E-9 | Over 26 | $8,928.60 | $9,267.90 | +$339.30 | +$4,072 |
| W-2 | Over 8 | $5,829.60 | $6,051.00 | +$221.40 | +$2,657 |
| O-1 | Under 2 | $3,998.40 | $4,150.20 | +$151.80 | +$1,822 |
| O-2 | Over 3 | $6,042.90 | $6,272.40 | +$229.50 | +$2,754 |
| O-3 | Over 6 | $7,453.80 | $7,737.00 | +$283.20 | +$3,398 |
| O-4 | Over 12 | $9,526.20 | $9,888.30 | +$362.10 | +$4,345 |
| O-5 | Over 20 | $11,592.30 | $12,032.70 | +$440.40 | +$5,285 |
| O-6 | Over 26 | $14,632.80 | $15,188.70 | +$555.90 | +$6,671 |
Generals and admirals at the top of the scale got less: the O-7 to O-10 cap (Executive Schedule Level II) rose only from $18,808.20 to $18,999.90, about 1%. The full 2026 table is on the military pay chart 2026.
BAS and BAH in 2026
- BAS rose from $465.77 to $476.95 a month for enlisted members and from $320.78 to $328.48 for officers, about 2.4%[bas].
- BAH rates are reset every January to local rents. The 2026 tables cover 338 housing areas; look yours up in the BAH calculator.
2026 military pay raise COLA for retirees and veterans
People already retired or receiving VA compensation do not get the pay raise; they get the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which follows Social Security. For 2026 it was 2.8%, effective December 1, 2025 and first paid in January 2026[varates].
| Rating | From Dec 1, 2024 | From Dec 1, 2025 | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $175.51 | $180.42 | +$4.91 |
| 30% | $537.42 | $552.47 | +$15.05 |
| 50% | $1,102.04 | $1,132.90 | +$30.86 |
| 70% | $1,759.19 | $1,808.45 | +$49.26 |
| 100% | $3,831.30 | $3,938.58 | +$107.28 |
The next COLA is 3.6%, from December 1, 2026[ssacola]. See the VA disability pay chart and the military retirement calculator.
What the 2026 raise means for take-home pay
Because the raise applies to taxable basic pay, part of it goes to federal tax and FICA. For an E-5 over 4 with a family, the $144.60 monthly raise adds roughly $115.68 to take-home pay. Run your own numbers in the military pay estimator. For 2027, the President set a tiered 7%, 6% and 5% raise; see the 2027 military pay raise.
Frequently asked questions
What was the military pay raise for 2026?
3.8% for every grade, effective January 1, 2026, matching the Employment Cost Index formula in 37 U.S.C. 1009.
What is the 2026 military pay raise COLA?
The COLA is separate from the pay raise. Military retirees and VA disability recipients received a 2.8% COLA effective December 1, 2025. The next COLA is 3.6% from December 1, 2026.
Did BAS go up in 2026?
Yes, to $476.95 a month for enlisted members and $328.48 for officers.
When did the 2026 raise show up in paychecks?
On the January 15, 2026 mid-month payday, the first one paid on the new table.
Sources
- Basic Pay – Enlisted, effective January 1, 2026
- Basic Pay – Officers, effective January 1, 2026
- Defense Primer: Military Pay Raise (IF10260)
- 37 U.S.C. § 1009, Adjustments of monthly basic pay
- Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) rates
- Current Veterans disability compensation rates (effective December 1, 2025)
- Social Security Announces 3.6 Percent Benefit Increase for 2027
- Basic Pay – Enlisted, effective April 1, 2025 (archived)