Quick answer: Official 2026 Army E-5 basic pay runs from $3,342.90 to $4,421.70 per month, depending on cumulative years of service. Basic pay is only one part of compensation; housing, subsistence, special pays, taxes, and deductions determine the actual deposit.
Official 2026 E-5 Basic Pay
| Cumulative years of service | Monthly basic pay | Annual basic pay |
|---|---|---|
| 2 or less | $3,342.90 | $40,114.80 |
| Over 2 | $3,598.20 | $43,178.40 |
| Over 3 | $3,775.80 | $45,309.60 |
| Over 4 | $3,946.80 | $47,361.60 |
| Over 6 | $4,110.00 | $49,320.00 |
| Over 8 | $4,299.90 | $51,598.80 |
| Over 10 | $4,395.30 | $52,743.60 |
| Over 12 | $4,421.70 | $53,060.40 |
The E-5 row is capped at $4,421.70 on the official 2026 table for later longevity columns. “Over” means cumulative creditable service, not time in grade.
What an Army E-5 Actually Receives
A Sergeant’s monthly compensation can include several pieces:
- Basic pay: taxable pay determined by grade and years of service.
- BAH: a housing allowance that varies by permanent duty location, grade, and dependency status.
- BAS: $476.95 per month for enlisted members in 2026, subject to meal deductions when government meals are provided.
- Special and incentive pays: available only when the member, duty, and orders meet specific requirements.
Basic pay is generally subject to federal income tax. BAH and BAS are generally excluded from federal gross income under the military tax rules summarized in IRS Publication 3.
Why There Is No Universal E-5 Take-Home Number
Two E-5s with identical years of service can receive different deposits. Take-home pay depends on duty location, dependency status, federal and state withholding, Thrift Savings Plan contributions, SGLI elections, meal deductions, debts, allotments, special pay, and other LES entries.
Use this calculation framework:
- Start with the official monthly basic pay for your years of service.
- Add only allowances and special pays you are actually entitled to receive.
- Subtract taxes from taxable pay.
- Subtract TSP, insurance, meal charges, allotments, debts, and other deductions.
- Compare the result with the net amount shown on the LES.
For example, an E-5 over four years starts with $3,946.80 in monthly basic pay. Add the member’s official BAH amount and $476.95 BAS only when entitled, then subtract the member’s own taxes and deductions. Quoting a single “average take-home” number would be misleading because those inputs vary substantially.
How to Find the Correct BAH Amount
BAH has no nationwide E-5 rate. Use the official DoD BAH lookup with the duty-station ZIP code, 2026, pay grade E-5, and the correct dependency status. Do not use a home ZIP code unless it is also the authorized duty location.
Read our BAH versus BAS guide and 2026 BAS guide for the allowance rules.
How to Read the E-5 LES
- Entitlements: basic pay, BAH, BAS, and authorized special pays.
- Deductions: taxes, SGLI, TSP, meal deductions, debts, and other collections.
- Allotments: recurring payments sent elsewhere.
- Summary: current-month entitlements minus deductions and allotments.
After promotion, longevity increase, PCS, marriage, divorce, or another status change, check both the amount and effective date. Bring orders and supporting documents to finance if an entitlement looks wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an Army E-5 make in 2026?
Monthly basic pay is $3,342.90 to $4,421.70, depending on cumulative years of service. Total compensation can be higher when BAH, BAS, and authorized special pays apply.
Is E-5 basic pay taxable?
Generally yes. BAH and BAS are generally excluded from federal gross income, but basic pay is taxable unless a specific exclusion applies.
Does every E-5 receive BAH?
No. Housing arrangements, duty location, dependency status, and orders determine entitlement. Verify the actual entitlement with the official lookup and finance office.
Does BAS increase with rank?
No within the enlisted category. All enlisted grades use the same 2026 standard rate of $476.95; officers use a separate rate.
Bottom Line
Use the DFAS table for E-5 basic pay, the DoD lookup for BAH, and the member’s LES for actual take-home pay. Avoid estimates that combine an obsolete base-pay figure with a guessed housing allowance.
Fact-checked July 2026 against the official DFAS 2026 enlisted pay table, DFAS BAS rates, DoD BAH guidance, and IRS Publication 3. This is general information; the member’s finance office determines individual entitlements.
E-5 is one row within the uniformed-services pay table. For the underlying grade and longevity rules, see how military basic pay is calculated.
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