US Military Pay in 2025
Ranks, pay charts, allowances, and how raises work
Military Pay Grades
How Military Pay Works
This guide provides a plain-English overview of US active-duty military pay in 2025, covering enlisted, warrant officer, and commissioned officer compensation. Whether you're considering military service, currently serving, or just curious how military compensation works, this is your comprehensive reference.
The Department of Defense publishes official basic pay tables each year, organized by pay grade (E for enlisted, W for warrant officers, O for commissioned officers) and years of service. All uniformed services—Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard—use the same basic pay tables.
For 2025, military pay includes a 4.5% across-the-board basic pay raise, plus an additional significant increase for junior enlisted members and higher housing allowances in many locations. This guide explains these components without replacing official DoD resources. For context on how military pay compares to civilian earnings, see our guide to average salary in the US.
Pay Grades, Ranks, and Years of Service
Military pay is determined by two primary factors: your pay grade and your years of service. Understanding this structure is essential to understanding compensation.
Enlisted Pay Grades (E-1 to E-9)
Enlisted members make up the majority of the military. Pay grades range from E-1 (entry-level) through E-9 (senior enlisted leaders). Rank titles vary by service: an E-4 is a Specialist or Corporal in the Army, Petty Officer Third Class in the Navy, and Senior Airman in the Air Force—but all E-4s receive the same basic pay regardless of branch.
Warrant Officer Pay Grades (W-1 to W-5)
Warrant officers are technical specialists and experts, primarily found in the Army. They hold positions between enlisted and commissioned officers, with pay grades W-1 through W-5. Not all services use all warrant officer grades.
Commissioned Officer Pay Grades (O-1 to O-10)
Commissioned officers typically enter service with college degrees and attend officer training. Pay grades range from O-1 (Second Lieutenant/Ensign) through O-10 (General/Admiral). Officer pay exceeds enlisted pay at comparable years of service, reflecting education requirements and leadership responsibilities.
Years of Service
Within each pay grade, basic pay increases with years of service (also called "time in service" or "longevity"). Pay tables show monthly amounts for each combination of grade and years of service, typically at 2-year intervals. A new E-4 earns less than an E-4 with 6 years of service.
2025 Basic Pay: Enlisted and Officer Overview
The following tables show approximate 2025 monthly basic pay for representative grades and years of service. These figures reflect the 4.5% general increase plus enhanced junior enlisted pay.
Enlisted Basic Pay (2025 Monthly)
| Pay Grade | <2 Years | 4 Years | 10 Years | 20 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | ~$2,150 | ~$2,150 | — | — |
| E-3 | ~$2,450 | ~$2,750 | — | — |
| E-4 | ~$2,750 | ~$3,200 | ~$3,550 | — |
| E-5 | ~$3,000 | ~$3,550 | ~$4,100 | ~$4,350 |
| E-6 | ~$3,300 | ~$3,900 | ~$4,500 | ~$4,950 |
| E-7 | ~$3,800 | ~$4,350 | ~$4,950 | ~$5,750 |
| E-8 | — | — | ~$5,550 | ~$6,500 |
| E-9 | — | — | ~$6,800 | ~$8,200 |
Officer Basic Pay (2025 Monthly)
| Pay Grade | <2 Years | 4 Years | 10 Years | 20 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-1 | ~$3,850 | ~$4,850 | — | — |
| O-2 | ~$4,450 | ~$5,700 | ~$5,900 | — |
| O-3 | ~$5,150 | ~$6,550 | ~$7,700 | ~$8,200 |
| O-4 | ~$5,850 | ~$7,200 | ~$8,550 | ~$9,250 |
| O-5 | ~$6,800 | ~$8,100 | ~$9,600 | ~$10,700 |
| O-6 | ~$8,150 | ~$8,950 | ~$10,550 | ~$12,300 |
These are approximate figures for educational purposes. Always verify with official DFAS pay tables. Dashes indicate grades/service combinations that don't typically exist.
2025 Pay Raise: What Changed
The 2025 military pay raise represents one of the most significant compensation increases in recent years, particularly for junior enlisted members.
General 4.5% Increase
All service members received a 4.5% increase to basic pay compared to 2024 rates. This continues a pattern of annual adjustments tied to the Employment Cost Index (ECI), which measures private-sector wage growth.
Junior Enlisted Boost
In addition to the 4.5% general increase, junior enlisted members (E-1 through E-4) received additional raises totaling approximately 14.5% compared to 2024. This targeted increase addresses recruiting and retention challenges and brings entry-level military pay closer to civilian alternatives.
Housing Allowance Increases
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) also increased for 2025, with an average increase in the mid-single digits. However, BAH varies significantly by location—some high-cost areas saw larger increases while others remained relatively flat.
How Raises Are Determined
Military pay raises are set annually through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The President proposes a raise, Congress debates and may modify it, and the final amount becomes law. Different compensation components (basic pay, BAH, BAS, special pays) may change at different rates.
Allowances: BAH, BAS, and More
Basic pay is only one component of military compensation. Allowances often add thousands of dollars monthly to total pay—and they're typically tax-free.
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
BAH covers housing costs for service members who don't live in government quarters. The amount varies by: duty station location (cost of housing in the local market), pay grade (higher grades receive more), and dependency status (members with dependents receive higher BAH).
BAH can range from $1,000–$1,500/month in lower-cost areas to $3,500–$4,500+/month in expensive locations like San Francisco, San Diego, or Hawaii. For 2025, BAH increased an average of 4–5% nationwide, though individual location changes varied.
Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)
BAS offsets food costs. For 2025, enlisted BAS is approximately $460/month, while officer BAS is approximately $320/month. (Officers receive lower BAS because they're expected to pay for meals in dining facilities when available.)
Other Allowances
Depending on circumstances, service members may receive: Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for high-cost or overseas duty stations, Family Separation Allowance when deployed away from dependents, clothing allowances for uniform maintenance, and various other duty-specific allowances.
Tax Advantages
Most allowances (BAH, BAS, COLA) are not subject to federal income tax. This tax-free status significantly increases the effective value of military compensation compared to equivalent civilian salaries.
Special and Incentive Pays
Beyond basic pay and allowances, many service members qualify for additional special and incentive pays based on their duties, skills, or locations.
Hazardous Duty Pays
Service members performing dangerous duties receive additional compensation: Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger Pay (~$225/month) for service in designated combat zones, Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay for duties like parachuting, diving, or demolition work, and Flight Pay for aircrew members (varies by type and frequency of flight duty).
Skill-Based Pays
Certain skills command premium pay: Foreign Language Proficiency Pay for tested language skills (up to $500/month depending on language and proficiency), Special Duty Assignment Pay for challenging or undesirable assignments, and Career Sea Pay and Submarine Pay for Navy personnel on sea duty.
Bonuses
Enlistment and Reenlistment Bonuses can add tens of thousands of dollars to compensation. Critical specialty bonuses, aviation bonuses, and nuclear officer incentive pay further increase compensation for high-demand fields. These amounts vary by occupation, term of service, and current manning needs.
Active Duty vs. Reserve/National Guard Pay
Reserve and National Guard members are compensated differently than active-duty personnel, except when mobilized.
Drill Pay
Reservists and Guard members typically serve one weekend per month ("drill") plus two weeks of annual training. Drill pay is calculated as 1/30th of monthly basic pay for each drill period. A typical drill weekend includes 4 drill periods, so members receive approximately 4/30ths (about 13%) of monthly basic pay for a drill weekend.
Annual Training
Two-week annual training periods are paid at full active-duty rates—basic pay, plus allowances if applicable.
Mobilization and Active Duty Orders
When Reserve or Guard members are mobilized or placed on active-duty orders, they receive full active-duty pay and allowances, identical to their active-component counterparts at the same grade and years of service.
Total Reserve Compensation
Part-time reservists typically earn $4,000–$15,000+ annually depending on grade and years of service, plus any bonuses. This is in addition to civilian employment income—making Reserve/Guard service an attractive part-time option for many.
Using Pay Charts and Calculators
Estimating your total military compensation involves several components. Here's a simple process:
Step 1: Find Your Basic Pay
Identify your pay grade (E-1 through E-9, W-1 through W-5, or O-1 through O-10) and your years of service. Look up the intersection on the 2025 basic pay table to find your monthly basic pay.
Step 2: Add BAH
Determine the BAH rate for your duty station, pay grade, and dependency status. BAH calculators are available on official military websites—enter your zip code and details to get your specific rate.
Step 3: Add BAS
Add the appropriate BAS rate (~$460/month for enlisted, ~$320/month for officers in 2025).
Step 4: Add Any Special Pays
If you receive flight pay, hazardous duty pay, language pay, or other special compensation, add those amounts.
Step 5: Calculate Annual Total
Multiply monthly totals by 12 for annual figures. Remember that allowances are tax-free, so compare to civilian salaries on an after-tax basis for accurate comparison.
Online Calculators
Several official and military-focused websites offer comprehensive pay calculators that combine all components. These can provide more accurate estimates than manual calculation, especially for complex situations.
How Military Pay Compares to Civilian Pay
Comparing military and civilian compensation requires looking beyond basic pay to total compensation value.
Basic Pay Alone Can Be Misleading
An E-5 with 6 years might earn approximately $3,700/month in basic pay (~$44,000 annually)—which seems modest. But add $2,000/month BAH ($24,000) plus $460/month BAS ($5,500), and total cash compensation reaches approximately $73,500. Factor in the tax-free status of allowances, and the tax-equivalent value is even higher.
Benefits Add Significant Value
Military benefits further increase total compensation value: Healthcare (TRICARE) covering the member and family at minimal cost, retirement pension after 20 years of service, GI Bill education benefits worth up to ~$100,000+, life insurance and survivor benefits, and access to commissaries, exchanges, and recreation facilities.
Realistic Comparisons
When all factors are included, military compensation is often competitive with civilian alternatives—particularly for entry-level and mid-career positions. Junior enlisted compensation has improved significantly with 2025 increases. Senior enlisted and officer compensation compares favorably with many civilian careers requiring similar education and responsibility levels.
For federal civilian pay comparisons, see our federal employee salaries guide. For broader context, see the average US salary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2025 military pay raise?
The 2025 military pay raise is 4.5% for most service members. Additionally, junior enlisted members (E-1 through E-4) received enhanced increases totaling approximately 14.5% compared to 2024 rates, addressing recruiting and retention concerns.
How much does an E-4 make in 2025?
An E-4 with 4 years of service earns approximately $3,200/month in basic pay (~$38,400/year). With BAH (varies by location, but average ~$1,800/month) and BAS (~$460/month), total monthly compensation is approximately $5,460 (~$65,500/year), with allowances being tax-free.
How is BAH calculated for 2025?
BAH is based on local civilian rental market data, your pay grade, and whether you have dependents. The DoD surveys rental costs in each duty station area annually. Higher-cost areas receive higher BAH rates. For 2025, average BAH increased approximately 4–5%, though individual locations vary.
Do all branches use the same pay tables?
Yes. All uniformed services—Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard—use identical basic pay tables. An E-6 in the Army earns the same basic pay as an E-6 in the Navy with the same years of service. Differences arise in special pays, bonuses, and allowances based on duties and locations.
How often are military pay charts updated?
Military basic pay tables are updated annually, typically effective January 1. Congress sets the pay raise through the National Defense Authorization Act, usually passed in December of the prior year. BAH rates are also updated annually based on housing market surveys.