The military pay raise for 2026 is confirmed at 3.8%, aligning with the Employment Cost Index (ECI) and was included in the $900 billion 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This raise will be applied to all pay grades as shown in the tables below
The 2026 VA disability rates will also increase, with a projected 2.6% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). However federal employees on the GS pay scale are expected to a get a much smaller 1% increase in 2026 due to Trump’s ongoing focus to cut federal agency staffing.
Official figures are expected to be published in early January and I will share updates as they are released. You can subscribe via email below to get notified.
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2025 Military Pay Chart
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets the basis for the Defense budget and signed into law by the President, included a 4.5% pay raise for military workers in 2025 (vs.5.2% in 2024). Updated pay charts are shown below.
The 2025 raise covers active duty members (Officers and Enlisted) of the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard.
Their was an additional 10% increase for Junior Enlisted Service Members (E-1 through E-4) to get them to a “reasonable” wage, which will make their 2025 pay raise 14.5% in total. The extra 10% bump however will only be effective from April 1, 2025. This level is reflected in the tables below.
Government employees on the GS pay scale are also getting a similar pay raise in 2025.
2024 Military Pay Chart
The 5.2% basic pay raise in 2024 was one of the largest in the last few years, put in place to combat the high levels of inflation many military members faced. Final pay charts are shown below.
The base pay tables for the current and recent years are shown in this article and are provided by pay grade (O, W and E levels) and years of service (above and below 20).
Military compensation, which includes base pay and allowances is reviewed annually and adjusted for inflation by Congressional action (via the National Defense Authorization Act), with Presidential recommendations factored into the final determination.
The basic pay charts do not include allowances like the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and the Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) – which will also increase in 2024.
Once final pay tables are released by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service I will update the pay charts if needed.
The higher pay levels will be reflected in armed service member salaries after January 1st, 2024.
2023 Military Pay Chart
Below are 2023 military pay charts based on the 4.6% raise. This pay scale covers active duty members (Officers and Enlisted) of the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard.
2022 Military Pay Charts
Congress has now approved the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22 NDAA), which confirmed a 2.7 percent pay increase for active members of the armed forces.
It also established a $15 minimum wage for covered service and construction contracts.
You can see the final 2022 Monthly Basic Pay charts (source: DoD) reflecting the 2.7% raise from January 1st, 2022.
2021 Military Pay Charts
[Updated following passage of the National Defense act] The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act was passed with a veto proof majority by Congress confirming a 2021 military pay increase of 3.0% in line with latest COLA increase. Updated tables shown below broken up years of service (greater and less than 20 yrs)
2021 Military Pay Chart For Less Than 20 Yrs Service
2021 Military Pay Chart for GREATER than 20 Yrs of Service
This is good information to know.
This is an interesting website for single mothers raising children of men in the military who are paying child support and some in the rear and paying the minimum amount possible.
You are a single mother because you chose to be one. Stop being a loser you were “strong and independent and chose to do it on your own” so do it. Stop watching the pockets of individuals that actually contribute to society
Any further update on when the 2012 Military Pay Scales will be finalized? Based on what I am reading the 1.6% may be at risk and more like a 1% pay rise will be approved as part of the debt reduction deal.