Military Pay Calculator 2026 — All Branches
Calculate your complete military compensation: base pay, BAH, BAS, special pays, and true take-home. Active duty and Reserve/Guard. Updated with the 3.8% 2026 pay raise.
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Duty Station & Dependents
Special & Incentive Pays
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is military base pay calculated in 2026?
Base pay is determined by pay grade (rank) and years of service. For 2026, all servicemembers received a 3.8% across-the-board pay increase with the signing of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). DoD publishes annual pay tables; active duty receives full monthly pay, reservists receive prorated drill pay (4 drill periods per weekend = 4 × 1/30th active base pay).
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a tax-free allowance for members not in government housing. Rates are set by duty station ZIP code, pay grade, and dependency status. For 2026, BAH increased an average of 4.2%. BAH rates are updated annually and vary significantly by location (higher in San Diego, DC, Honolulu).
What are the 2026 BAS rates?
BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) is a tax-free food allowance. 2026 rates: Enlisted = $476.95/month, Officer = $328.48/month. Represents a 2.4% increase over 2025.
How much is reserve drill pay?
Reserve/Guard drill pay = 1/30th of active duty base pay per drill period. A typical weekend = 4 drill periods. Example: E-5 with 4 years earns ~$420 per drill weekend before taxes. Annual training (AT) is paid at full active duty rate.
Is military pay taxable?
Base pay is subject to federal income tax and FICA. BAH and BAS are tax-free. Combat zone pay is entirely tax-free. State tax treatment varies — some states exempt all military pay, others tax it partially. The tax-free status of BAH/BAS creates a significant tax advantage that effectively increases your compensation by 15-25% compared to equivalent civilian salary.
What special pays are available?
Hazardous Duty Pay ($150-250/mo), Flight Pay ($125-840/mo), Diving Pay ($150-340/mo), Sea Pay ($50-750/mo), Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger Pay ($225/mo), Submarine Pay ($375/mo), Jump Pay ($150/mo), Demolition Pay ($150/mo), Combat Zone Tax Exclusion, and medical/dental officer special pays.
How does military pay compare to civilian salary?
Add base pay + tax-free allowances (BAH, BAS). Example: E-5 with 4 years = ~$45,000 base + $18,000-24,000 BAH (location-dependent) + $5,700 BAS + potential special pays = $68,000-78,000+ total. The tax advantages effectively increase the civilian equivalent by 15-25%. Plus healthcare (Tricare), pension, and education benefits have enormous value beyond the paycheck.
What is the Warrior Dividend?
The 2026 NDAA included a one-time, tax-free "Warrior Dividend" payment to all active and reserve servicemembers. This is in addition to the 3.8% base pay increase. Amount varies by rank and time in service.