U.S. Military Monthly Basic Pay Table, incorporating all key pay grades, service length variations, and special pay caps. This guide helps understand the pay structure for enlisted personnel, warrant officers, and commissioned officers while also highlighting special considerations for senior ranks.
U.S. Military Monthly Basic Pay Table (Effective January 1, 2025)
The 2025 military pay raise was 4.5%, as approved under the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defence Authorisation Act (FY25 NDAA). The increase applies to all active-duty service members across the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard.
This monthly basic pay chart excludes additional allowances, incentives, and bonuses such as:
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Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
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Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)
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Special Pay (Hazardous Duty, Flight Pay, etc.)
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Deployment or Combat Zone Tax Exclusions
Detailed Breakdown of the 2025 Active Duty Pay Chart
The 2025 Active Duty Pay Chart provides a structured overview of the monthly base salaries for Commissioned Officers, Warrant Officers, and Enlisted Members serving in the U.S. military. This pay structure is influenced by both rank (pay grade) and years of service (YOS), ensuring that experience and leadership responsibilities are appropriately compensated.
Additionally, the chart notes that an additional pay increase is planned for April 2025 for E-1 through E-4 enlisted members, highlighting the Defence Department’s effort to support junior service members.
Commissioned Officers' Pay Scale (O-1 to O-10)
Commissioned Officers represent the leadership tier in the military, responsible for strategy, decision-making, and command functions. Their pay varies based on rank and years of service:
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Senior Officers (O-7 to O-10) receive the highest compensation.
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O-10 (Four-Star General/Admiral): The highest-paid rank, with a monthly salary fixed at $18,808.20, regardless of years of service.
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O-8 (Major General/Rear Admiral Upper Half): Starts at $13,818.90 for less than two years of service and increases to $18,808.20 for those serving 20 years or more.
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Mid-Level Officers (O-4 to O-6), such as Majors and Colonels, see a steady rise in pay as they gain experience.
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O-6 (Colonel/Captain in Navy): Begins at $8,430.90 and grows significantly to $14,925.00 with over 30 years of service.
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Junior Officers (O-1 to O-3), including Lieutenants and Captains, have lower starting salaries but see consistent increases with tenure.
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O-1 (Second Lieutenant/Ensign): Entry-level salary starts at $3,998.40, reaching a cap of $5,031.30 after 14 years.
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Commissioned Officers with Over Four Years of Enlisted Service (O-1E to O-3E)
This category applies to officers who were previously enlisted for at least four years, recognizing their prior service with higher base pay than their direct-commissioned counterparts.
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O-3E (Captain/Lieutenant): Starts at $7,112.40, reaching $9,257.70 for those with over 18 years of service.
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O-2E (First Lieutenant/Lieutenant Junior Grade): Sees a gradual increase from $6,247.20 to $7,383.00.
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O-1E (Second Lieutenant/Ensign with prior enlisted service): Begins at $5,031.30 and reaches $6,247.20 over time.
Warrant Officers' Pay Scale (W-1 to W-5)
Warrant Officers serve as technical experts in their fields, filling specialized roles that require expertise beyond that of enlisted personnel but without the broad command responsibilities of commissioned officers. Their pay scale is competitive, reflecting the skill level they bring to military operations.
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W-5 (Chief Warrant Officer 5): Starts at $5,510.40 and progresses to $12,821.10 for those serving over 40 years.
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W-3 and W-4 (Mid-Level Warrant Officers): W-3 starts at $5,032.20 and reaches $8,827.20, while W-4 earns between $5,510.40 and $10,263.60.
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W-1 (Entry-Level Warrant Officer): Begins at $3,908.10, progressing to $6,753.60 with experience.
Enlisted Members' Pay Scale (E-1 to E-9)
Enlisted service members form the backbone of military operations, executing critical tasks across all service branches. Their pay is structured to reward experience, leadership, and responsibility.
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Senior Enlisted (E-7 to E-9):
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E-9 (Sergeant Major/Chief Master Sergeant/Master Chief Petty Officer): The highest enlisted pay grade, earning between $7,788.10 and $10,336.50, reflecting leadership responsibilities.
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E-8 (Master Sergeant/Senior Chief Petty Officer): Sees steady pay increases, ranging from $5,449.50 to $7,772.10.
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Mid-Level Enlisted (E-4 to E-6):
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E-6 (Staff Sergeant/Petty Officer First Class): Earns between $3,276.60 (entry-level) and $6,808.80 (after 20 years).
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E-4 (Corporal/Specialist/Petty Officer Third Class): Starts at $2,752.20, increasing to $3,341.40 over time.
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Entry-Level Enlisted (E-1 to E-3):
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E-1 (<4 months of service): The lowest base salary at $1,949.10.
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E-3 (Seaman/Airman/Private First Class): Starts at $2,484.60, reaching a maximum of $2,800.80.
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A notable highlight is the planned pay raise in April 2025 for E-1 to E-4 personnel, aimed at improving financial support for lower-ranking enlisted members.
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| Enlisted pay chart |
Key Takeaways from the Pay Structure
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Higher Ranks Earn Significantly More – Senior officers and enlisted members at E-9 and above earn the highest pay due to their leadership roles.
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Longevity Matters – Pay increases steadily with years of service, ensuring long-term commitment is rewarded.
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Prior Enlisted Officers Benefit from Higher Pay – Commissioned officers who served as enlisted members before commissioning (O-1E to O-3E) receive additional compensation.
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Specialised Roles Earn Competitive Salaries – Warrant Officers (W-1 to W-5) are well-compensated due to their expertise in technical and operational fields.
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Entry-Level Pay is Increasing – With the planned April 2025 pay raise for E-1 to E-4, the military is investing in junior enlisted members to support retention and financial well-being.
This breakdown provides a clear and structured understanding of military base pay as of January-March 2025, ensuring service members and their families have a comprehensive view of compensation trends.
Comprehensive Guide to Military Pay: Base Pay, Allowances, and Benefits (2025)
Beyond base salaries, U.S. military personnel receive a range of allowances, bonuses, and benefits that significantly enhance their total compensation. These additional financial supports help offset living costs, provide housing assistance, and reward service members for specialised skills, hazardous duties, and deployments.
Below is a detailed look at key components beyond base pay, ensuring a full understanding of military earnings.
1. Allowances: Covering Living Expenses
A. Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a key benefit for service members not living in military-provided housing. BAH rates vary based on:
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Rank (pay grade)
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Duty station location (cost of living adjustments)
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Dependents status (higher BAH for those with families)
For example:
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An E-5 (Sergeant/Petty Officer 2nd Class) stationed in San Diego, CA may receive $3,100+ per month in BAH, while the same rank in Texas may receive $2,000+ per month due to regional cost differences.
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Officers receive a higher BAH rate than enlisted personnel at the same duty station.
💡 Note: BAH is not taxable, making it a valuable financial benefit.
B. Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)
BAS is provided to help cover food costs for service members. Unlike BAH, this allowance is the same across all duty stations and is adjusted annually for inflation.
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Officers: $316.98/month (2025 rate)
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Enlisted members: $460.25/month (higher due to reliance on government dining facilities)
💡 Note: BAS is not given to service members receiving full government-provided meals (e.g., those living in barracks).
C. Cost of Living Allowance (COLA)
COLA is given to service members stationed in high-cost areas (e.g., Hawaii, Alaska, and certain overseas locations).
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Helps offset higher living expenses compared to the national average.
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Not every duty station qualifies; adjustments are based on location and fluctuate annually.
2. Special Pay and Bonuses
Certain roles, assignments, and skills qualify for extra pay, known as special and incentive pay.
A. Hazardous Duty Pay (HDP)
Service members in dangerous assignments receive extra compensation:
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Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger Pay (IDP): $225/month (for personnel deployed to combat zones).
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Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay (HDIP): Varies from $150 to $250/month for roles such as:
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Parachutists
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Demolition experts
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Diving duty
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Flight deck crew members
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B. Flight Pay & Submarine Pay
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Aviation Career Incentive Pay (ACIP): Pilots and navigators receive up to $1,000/month, depending on experience.
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Submarine Duty Pay: Sailors assigned to submarines earn $75-$835/month, based on rank and time served in submarine assignments.
C. Reenlistment and Retention Bonuses
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Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB):
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Awarded to service members who reenlist in critical fields (e.g., cybersecurity, nuclear engineering, linguistics).
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Can be tens of thousands of dollars, paid in lump sum or instalments.
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Critical Skill Retention Bonus (CSRB):
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Offered to officers and enlisted members in high-demand careers.
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Can be up to $100,000 in some specialised fields.
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3. Retirement & Long-Term Benefits
The U.S. military offers one of the most generous retirement packages compared to civilian careers.
A. Blended Retirement System (BRS)
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Combines a traditional pension and 401(k)-style contributions via the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
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Pension: After 20 years of service, members receive 2% of base pay per year served (e.g., 20 years = 40% of final base pay).
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TSP Matching: DoD matches up to 5% of contributions, helping service members build additional savings.
B. Veterans’ Benefits (Post-Service Perks)
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Post-9/11 GI Bill: Covers full tuition for veterans at public universities + housing stipend.
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VA Home Loan Program: Allows zero-down payment home loans with competitive interest rates.
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Healthcare for Life: Retired personnel qualify for Tricare or VA healthcare benefits.
4. Additional Military Perks & Benefits
A. Healthcare
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Active-duty members receive full medical and dental care at no cost.
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Family members can enroll in Tricare, which offers low-cost healthcare coverage.
B. Education Benefits
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Tuition Assistance (TA): Covers 100% of tuition for college courses (up to $250 per credit hour).
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Credentialing Assistance: Pays for certifications & licenses (e.g., IT, medical, trade skills).
C. Military Discounts & Travel Perks
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Discounts at major retailers, theme parks, and hotels (e.g., Disney, Apple, airlines).
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Space-A (Space Available) Travel: Free/low-cost flights for service members on military aircraft.
Final Thoughts: Maximising Military Compensation
- Military pay is more than just base salary—it includes:
- Tax-free allowances (BAH, BAS, COLA)
- Special & incentive pay for skills/dangerous duties
- Reenlistment & retention bonuses
- Retirement & post-service benefits
For those looking to maximise earnings, pursuing high-demand specialties, promotions, and long-term service can lead to significant financial stability both during and after military service.