Congress Approves 3.8% Military Pay Raise for 2026
WASHINGTON — Congress has officially approved a 3.8% pay raise for military service members, effective January 1, 2026. The increase is part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026.
Key Numbers
- Pay Increase: 3.8%
- Effective Date: January 1, 2026
- E-5 at 6 years: +$127/month ($3,474 total)
- O-3 at 6 years: +$289/month ($7,702 total)
What This Means for Service Members
The 3.8% raise matches the Employment Cost Index (ECI) for the private sector, maintaining the Department of Defense’s commitment to keeping military pay competitive with civilian careers.
For a typical mid-career enlisted member (E-5 with 6 years of service), the raise translates to an additional $127 per month, or $1,524 annually. Officers will see proportionally larger increases due to their higher base pay.
Combined with Other 2026 Increases
The pay raise comes alongside other compensation increases for 2026:
- BAH: 4.2% average increase in housing allowance
- BAS: Expected 2-3% increase in food allowance
- TSP Contribution Limit: Increased to $23,500
Historical Context
The 2026 raise continues a trend of competitive pay increases:
| Year | Raise |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 3.8% |
| 2025 | 4.5% |
| 2024 | 5.2% |
| 2023 | 4.6% |
When You’ll See the Increase
Service members will see the new pay rates reflected in their January 15, 2026 paycheck (for the pay period of January 1-15). The increase applies automatically to all active duty, Reserve, and National Guard members on active status.
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