Every year, military pay and benefits are updated quietly. Most service members and Veterans don’t notice the changes until months later—if they notice at all. By then, money may already have been missed.

Military pay in 2026 includes more than just a base pay raise, and understanding these updates can help you make sure you’re getting everything you’ve earned.

This guide breaks down what changed, what’s included, and what you should double-check this year.

What’s New on the 2026 Military Pay Chart?

Starting January 1, 2026, all service members received a 3.8% base pay increase. This raise was approved as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

This increase applies to:

• Active-duty service members
• All ranks (enlisted, officers, and warrant officers)
• All years of service

Below, you’ll find the 2026 Military Base Pay Charts, which show the taxable portion of your paycheck. These charts do not include allowances like BAH or BAS.

Officer & Warrant Officer Pay Charts (2026)

To make things easier, officer and warrant officer pay is broken into three experience ranges.

Officers & Warrant Officers: Up to 11 Years of Service

This chart applies to:

• Commissioned officers (O-1 through O-8)
• Prior-enlisted officers (O-1E through O-3E)
• Warrant officers (W-1 through W-4)

Pay increases with both rank and time in service. If you recently crossed a service-year milestone, your pay may have increased more than you expected.

Officers & Warrant Officers: 12–25 Years of Service

At this stage, pay reflects:

• Senior leadership roles
• Longevity in service

Some ranks plateau, meaning pay stays the same for multiple years before increasing again. This is normal and based on federal pay law.

Officers & Warrant Officers: 26–40 Years of Service

This chart applies mostly to:

• Senior officers
• Long-serving warrant officers

At these levels, most ranks have reached maximum base pay, with only limited increases after certain milestones.

Enlisted Pay Charts (2026)

Enlisted pay is also grouped by years of service to make changes easier to track.

Enlisted Members: Up to 11 Years of Service

This applies to junior and mid-career enlisted members (E-1 through E-9).

Important notes:

• Promotions have a bigger impact than longevity alone in early years
• Some pay grades stop increasing after certain service years unless promoted

Enlisted Members: 12–25 Years of Service

At this point:

• Pay reflects experience, leadership, and retention
• Many pay grades begin to level off

If you’re nearing retirement eligibility, these numbers directly affect your future retirement income.

Enlisted Members: 26–40 Years of Service

This chart reflects:

• Career enlisted leaders
• Maximum or near-maximum base pay for most grades

Most pay increases here come from time-based caps, not promotions.

What's Included in Military Pay 2026?

There are so many pay and allowances available to service members and Veterans in 2026, and it is not only the basic pay, which is usually and always included. Here is what we know that is included in the changes for military pay in 2026:

Military Basic Pay Increase

This is your foundational monthly pay, and it is always included based on rank and time in service. For 2026, active members will receive a 3.8% increase in their basic pay, lower than in 2025. This started on January 1, 2026, and should appear on your paycheck early in the year.

The raise applies to all pay grades and is applied uniformly as a percentage increase to the existing pay charts.

Increase in Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)

BAH helps you cover your housing costs if government quarters aren’t available. In 2026, BAH rates increased by about 4.2%, following consecutive 5.4% increases.

However, the exact amount will depend on location, rank, and dependency status. This new increase also started on January 1, 2026.

Increase in Family Separation Allowance

Service members who are separated from family members due to military orders for up to 30 days or more receive an increase in the Family Separation Allowance.

The increase goes up from $250 to $300 per month.

Higher Reimbursements on Dislocation Allowance

This allowance helps with the costs of relocating after a permanent change of station (PCS), and beginning in 2026, the rates increased by 3.8%.

Some service members should see higher reimbursement amounts this year.

Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance (CONUS COLA)

The CONUS COLA will be given to service members in areas with a higher cost of living. The areas that would benefit from this are in California, Massachusetts, and New York.

Increase in Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)

This allowance supports food costs for enlisted members and officers. Therefore, they get additional dollars a month for meals this year. The BAS covers the cost for service members only.

Increase in COLA for Veterans' and Survivors' Benefits

Following the Social Security Administration's annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), Veterans and survivors receive an annual increase in benefits.

The COLA rate increased by 2.8%, higher than the 2.5% in 2025.

VA Disability Pay Increase

The VA Disability Pay for this year increased by 2.7% due to the COLA. This is a tax-free payment for Veterans with a disability rating of at least 10%. Veterans don’t need to reapply for this as the increase is automatically applied.

VA Special Monthly Compensation

If a Veteran lost, or lost the use of, a limb or certain organs or extremities because of military service, they are entitled to receive the VA's Special Monthly Compensation benefit. This provides additional financial support for their needs.

VA Veterans’ Pension

Veterans who are 65 or older, permanently and totally disabled, and have a limited income may receive the VA's Veterans Pension. Conditions still apply:

1. The Veteran must have served at least 90 days on active duty, with at least one day during wartime
2. A Veteran or married couple must own less than $163,699 in assets to qualify.

Survivors’ Pension

This pension provides income support to qualifying survivors of wartime Veterans: their surviving spouses and children.

The deceased Veteran must have served at least 24 months on active duty, including at least one day during wartime. However, the rates for this are lower.

VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Increase

The surviving spouses, children, or parents receive this compensation when a veteran is deceased from service-connected causes. It is a tax-free benefit paid to surviving spouses, children, or parents of service members who died from service-connected causes.

This year, it increased by 2.8%, and the same applies to the other benefits mentioned above; the increase is automatic.

How to Make Sure You Understand Your Pay

Military and Veteran pay can change quietly, so it’s very important to stay on top of it. To ensure you make the most of your benefits, review your Leave and Earning Statement (LES), check your official pay tables, and confirm your dependency information to ensure you receive the pay you are entitled to under military pay in 2026.

If you are still in doubt about your pay, there are online resources available, such as the base finance offices, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, and the Veterans Affairs (VA) website, which also provides more information throughout the year.

They are the best place to get the most accurate answer. Once you fully understand your benefits, you can ensure you receive what you have earned, for yourself and for your family.

Read next:

• 2026 CONUS COLA Rates: Eligibility, How Much Pay Is Cut, and What to Expect
• How to Use the Overseas COLA Calculator to Maximize Your Military Pay
• DoD Confirms 2026 BAH Rates After Brief Leak: Here's What's Changing

Sources:

• 2026 Guide to Pay and Allowances for Military Service Members, Veterans and Retirees
• 2026 U.S. Military Basic Pay Charts
• 2026 Military Pay Charts