Military Pay Increase Confirmed for 2026

in Military Transition, Uncategorized 1 min read

Active duty service members will see a 4.5% pay increase starting January 1, 2026, the Department of Defense confirmed today.

Military pay increase
Military compensation continues to rise

What This Means for Your Pay

An E-5 with four years of service will see their base pay increase from around $3,400 to approximately $3,550 monthly. Officers will see proportional increases across all pay grades.

The increase also affects BAH calculations for 2026, though specific rates vary by location.

For Transitioning Service Members

If you are planning to separate in 2026, factor this increase into your civilian salary requirements. Many veterans underestimate their total military compensation when negotiating civilian salaries.

Remember to calculate benefits, healthcare, and BAH when comparing military pay to civilian offers.

Sarah Mitchell

Sarah Mitchell

Author & Expert

Sarah Mitchell is a former U.S. Army Career Counselor with over a decade of active duty service. During her military career, she helped thousands of service members with career planning, retention decisions, and civilian transition at installations across the country. Sarah holds a Master's degree in Human Resources Management and is a certified career coach specializing in federal employment. After retiring from the Army, Sarah has focused on helping military families navigate federal job searches, veterans preference, and military spouse career challenges. As a military spouse herself who experienced the difficulties of PCS-related career disruptions, she's passionate about helping others achieve career stability. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two children.

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