2025 Military Pay Chart: Every Rank’s Exact Salary Revealed

Understanding 2025 Military Pay: The Complete Breakdown

Military compensation remains one of the most complex yet misunderstood aspects of service life. While civilians often assume military members are underpaid, the reality is far more nuanced. When you properly account for base pay, allowances, special pays, tax advantages, and benefits, military compensation becomes competitive—and in some cases, superior—to equivalent civilian positions.

The 2025 military pay charts reflect a 4.5% increase from 2024, continuing the trend of pay raises that have outpaced civilian wage growth for the past several years. Understanding exactly what you earn at every rank and how to maximize your compensation can mean tens of thousands of dollars over a military career.

2025 Base Pay Charts: Enlisted Personnel

Base pay forms the foundation of military compensation and increases with both rank and time in service. Here are key highlights from the 2025 enlisted pay chart:

Junior Enlisted (E-1 through E-4)

E-1 (Private/Seaman Recruit/Airman Basic):

• Less than 2 years: $24,204 annually ($2,017/month)
• No time-in-service progression for E-1

E-2 (Private/Seaman Apprentice/Airman):

• Less than 2 years: $27,048 annually ($2,254/month)
• Over 2 years: $27,048 (no increase)

E-3 (Private First Class/Seaman/Airman First Class):

• Less than 2 years: $28,404 annually ($2,367/month)
• Over 2 years: $30,192 annually ($2,516/month)
• Over 3 years: $30,192 (no additional increase)

E-4 (Specialist/Corporal/Petty Officer Third Class/Senior Airman):

• Less than 2 years: $31,464 annually ($2,622/month)
• Over 2 years: $33,036 annually ($2,753/month)
• Over 3 years: $34,788 annually ($2,899/month)
• Over 4 years: $36,564 annually ($3,047/month)
• Over 6 years: $37,104 annually ($3,092/month)

Non-Commissioned Officers (E-5 through E-9)

E-5 (Sergeant/Petty Officer Second Class/Staff Sergeant):

• Less than 2 years: $34,260 annually ($2,855/month)
• Over 2 years: $36,036 annually ($3,003/month)
• Over 4 years: $38,604 annually ($3,217/month)
• Over 6 years: $40,164 annually ($3,347/month)
• Over 8 years: $41,988 annually ($3,499/month)
• Over 10 years: $43,560 annually ($3,630/month)

E-6 (Staff Sergeant/Petty Officer First Class/Technical Sergeant):

• Less than 2 years: $37,380 annually ($3,115/month)
• Over 3 years: $39,828 annually ($3,319/month)
• Over 4 years: $41,412 annually ($3,451/month)
• Over 6 years: $43,140 annually ($3,595/month)
• Over 8 years: $45,384 annually ($3,782/month)
• Over 10 years: $47,112 annually ($3,926/month)
• Over 12 years: $50,364 annually ($4,197/month)
• Over 14 years: $51,852 annually ($4,321/month)

E-7 (Sergeant First Class/Chief Petty Officer/Master Sergeant):

• Less than 2 years: $43,296 annually ($3,608/month)
• Over 3 years: $45,504 annually ($3,792/month)
• Over 6 years: $48,396 annually ($4,033/month)
• Over 8 years: $50,352 annually ($4,196/month)
• Over 10 years: $52,476 annually ($4,373/month)
• Over 12 years: $55,092 annually ($4,591/month)
• Over 14 years: $57,396 annually ($4,783/month)
• Over 16 years: $59,424 annually ($4,952/month)
• Over 18 years: $61,428 annually ($5,119/month)
• Over 20 years: $63,804 annually ($5,317/month)

E-8 (Master Sergeant/First Sergeant/Senior Chief Petty Officer):

• Over 8 years: $57,876 annually ($4,823/month)
• Over 10 years: $60,396 annually ($5,033/month)
• Over 12 years: $63,012 annually ($5,251/month)
• Over 14 years: $65,844 annually ($5,487/month)
• Over 16 years: $68,328 annually ($5,694/month)
• Over 18 years: $71,160 annually ($5,930/month)
• Over 20 years: $74,112 annually ($6,176/month)
• Over 22 years: $76,200 annually ($6,350/month)
• Over 26 years: $80,556 annually ($6,713/month)

E-9 (Sergeant Major/Master Chief Petty Officer/Chief Master Sergeant):

• Over 10 years: $68,712 annually ($5,726/month)
• Over 12 years: $71,592 annually ($5,966/month)
• Over 14 years: $74,172 annually ($6,181/month)
• Over 16 years: $76,920 annually ($6,410/month)
• Over 18 years: $79,776 annually ($6,648/month)
• Over 20 years: $84,576 annually ($7,048/month)
• Over 22 years: $89,760 annually ($7,480/month)
• Over 24 years: $93,780 annually ($7,815/month)
• Over 26 years: $100,152 annually ($8,346/month)
• Over 30 years: $106,068 annually ($8,839/month)

2025 Base Pay Charts: Officers

Company Grade Officers (O-1 through O-3)

O-1 (Second Lieutenant/Ensign):

• Less than 2 years: $45,348 annually ($3,779/month)
• Over 2 years: $52,104 annually ($4,342/month)
• Over 3 years: $62,592 annually ($5,216/month)

O-2 (First Lieutenant/Lieutenant Junior Grade):

• Less than 2 years: $52,260 annually ($4,355/month)
• Over 2 years: $64,368 annually ($5,364/month)
• Over 3 years: $71,940 annually ($5,995/month)
• Over 4 years: $74,892 annually ($6,241/month)
• Over 6 years: $76,104 annually ($6,342/month)

O-3 (Captain/Lieutenant):

• Less than 2 years: $60,516 annually ($5,043/month)
• Over 2 years: $69,852 annually ($5,821/month)
• Over 3 years: $74,472 annually ($6,206/month)
• Over 4 years: $79,248 annually ($6,604/month)
• Over 6 years: $85,704 annually ($7,142/month)
• Over 8 years: $91,188 annually ($7,599/month)
• Over 10 years: $96,732 annually ($8,061/month)
• Over 14 years: $104,040 annually ($8,670/month)

Field Grade Officers (O-4 through O-6)

O-4 (Major/Lieutenant Commander):

• Less than 2 years: $69,456 annually ($5,788/month)
• Over 3 years: $80,664 annually ($6,722/month)
• Over 6 years: $91,308 annually ($7,609/month)
• Over 8 years: $96,264 annually ($8,022/month)
• Over 10 years: $101,604 annually ($8,467/month)
• Over 14 years: $111,684 annually ($9,307/month)
• Over 18 years: $119,604 annually ($9,967/month)
• Over 20 years: $125,040 annually ($10,420/month)

O-5 (Lieutenant Colonel/Commander):

• Less than 2 years: $80,784 annually ($6,732/month)
• Over 3 years: $93,192 annually ($7,766/month)
• Over 6 years: $102,204 annually ($8,517/month)
• Over 10 years: $112,824 annually ($9,402/month)
• Over 14 years: $121,800 annually ($10,150/month)
• Over 16 years: $127,488 annually ($10,624/month)
• Over 18 years: $131,928 annually ($10,994/month)
• Over 20 years: $137,784 annually ($11,482/month)
• Over 22 years: $143,616 annually ($11,968/month)
• Over 26 years: $151,380 annually ($12,615/month)

O-6 (Colonel/Captain):

• Less than 2 years: $97,092 annually ($8,091/month)
• Over 3 years: $108,684 annually ($9,057/month)
• Over 6 years: $117,564 annually ($9,797/month)
• Over 10 years: $129,264 annually ($10,772/month)
• Over 14 years: $141,756 annually ($11,813/month)
• Over 18 years: $154,728 annually ($12,894/month)
• Over 20 years: $162,744 annually ($13,562/month)
• Over 22 years: $168,516 annually ($14,043/month)
• Over 24 years: $173,712 annually ($14,476/month)
• Over 26 years: $180,516 annually ($15,043/month)
• Over 30 years: $197,928 annually ($16,494/month)

General/Flag Officers (O-7 through O-10)

General and flag officer pay requires Congressional approval and varies by position:

O-7 (Brigadier General/Rear Admiral Lower Half): $144,348-$182,952 annually

O-8 (Major General/Rear Admiral): $152,892-$204,816 annually

O-9 (Lieutenant General/Vice Admiral): $170,340-$209,604 annually

O-10 (General/Admiral): $183,096-$209,604 annually (capped)

Critical Context: Base Pay Is Just the Beginning

These base pay figures dramatically understate actual military compensation. Total take-home pay includes:

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH): $12,000-$48,000+ annually depending on location, rank, and dependent status. Tax-free.

Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS): $4,800-$5,400 annually for food. Tax-free.

Special and Incentive Pays: $0-$50,000+ annually depending on specialty and qualifications.

Example Total Compensation:

E-6 with 10 years in San Diego with dependents:

• Base Pay: $47,112
• BAH: $36,600 (tax-free)
• BAS: $5,148 (tax-free)
• Total: $88,860
• Tax-equivalent value: ~$98,000 (due to tax-free allowances)

An O-4 with 14 years in Washington D.C. with dependents:

• Base Pay: $111,684
• BAH: $45,600 (tax-free)
• BAS: $5,616 (tax-free)
• Total: $162,900
• Tax-equivalent value: ~$185,000

Longevity and Promotions: Maximizing Your Earning Trajectory

The military pay system rewards both time-in-service and promotions. Strategic career management can dramatically impact lifetime earnings:

Scenario 1: E-4 separating after 4 years

• Cumulative base pay: ~$125,000
• Total compensation with allowances: ~$160,000

Scenario 2: E-7 retiring after 20 years

• Cumulative base pay: ~$900,000
• Total compensation with allowances: ~$1,400,000
• Plus retirement pay: $31,900/year for life (50% of base pay)

Scenario 3: O-5 retiring after 20 years

• Cumulative base pay: ~$1,600,000
• Total compensation with allowances: ~$2,200,000
• Plus retirement pay: $68,900/year for life (50% of base pay)

Every promotion and every year served dramatically impacts both current and retirement compensation. An E-6 who makes E-7 at year 14 instead of year 16 earns an additional $50,000+ over the remainder of their career and increases retirement pay by $3,000+ annually for life.

Using the Pay Charts Strategically

Understanding military pay charts allows for strategic career planning:

Time-in-Service Milestones: Recognize that pay increases at 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 26 years. Plan separations and retirements around these milestones to maximize lifetime earnings.

Promotion Timing: Early promotions dramatically increase lifetime earnings. Maxing physical fitness tests, completing professional development, and seeking leadership opportunities accelerate promotions and increase total compensation by tens of thousands of dollars.

High-Cost-of-Living Areas: BAH dramatically increases total compensation in expensive locations. A three-year assignment in San Francisco, New York, or Washington D.C. can mean $60,000-$100,000 additional tax-free housing allowance compared to low-cost areas.

Retention Decisions: Compare military compensation (including tax advantages and benefits value) against civilian opportunities carefully. The full compensation package often exceeds what many realize.

The Bottom Line

Military pay has improved dramatically over the past two decades. The 2025 pay charts show competitive compensation that, when properly accounting for allowances, special pays, tax advantages, healthcare, and retirement benefits, often exceeds equivalent civilian positions—especially for enlisted personnel and junior officers.

Understanding exactly what you earn at every rank and how compensation progresses over a career enables informed decisions about reenlistment, career fields, assignments, and long-term financial planning. Your military paycheck is more valuable than it appears at first glance—make sure you’re maximizing every dollar.