For youActive duty: your tools
CalculatorTotal monthly payBasic pay, BAH and BAS for your rank and base, plus the civilian salary that matches.E-5, 6 yrs, Fort Bragg: $6,392.95 a month
HousingBAH by duty stationLook up 2026 housing allowance for any duty station ZIP code, every grade.Fort Bragg, E-5 with dependents: $1,806
CheckerState tax on military pay23 states don’t tax active-duty pay at all, and 13 more tax only part of it.Rules for all 50 states and DCMost asked: active duty
How much does an E-4 make?
$3,482.40 a month in 2026 basic pay at over 3 years of service, before housing and food allowances. See every rank
When are military paydays?
The 1st and the 15th of each month. When one falls on a weekend or federal holiday, pay arrives on the working day before. All 2027 paydays
Is BAH taxed?
No. BAH and BAS are free of federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare, and no state taxes them. What is and isn’t taxed
How much is the 2027 raise?
Not final yet. The House bill gives 7% to E-1 through E-5 and less to higher grades; the Senate bill gives everyone 3.6%. House vs Senate
How much leave do I earn?
2.5 days a month, or 30 days a year. You can normally carry up to 60 days into the next fiscal year. Reading your LES
For youGuard and Reserve: your tools
Drill payWhat a drill weekend paysFour drills a weekend, each paying one-thirtieth of monthly basic pay.E-5, over 6 yrs: $548.00 a weekend
Pay charts2026 basic pay tableDrill pay comes from the same table active duty uses, by grade and years.Every grade from E-1 to O-10
CheckerState tax on drill payDrill pay is taxable income, but several states exempt Guard and Reserve pay.Rules for all 50 states and DCMost asked: guard and reserve
What does one drill weekend pay?
Four drills at one-thirtieth of monthly basic pay each. An E-4 with over 3 years earns $464.32 a weekend. Drill pay by rank
Do I get BAH on drill weekends?
Not for regular drills. You receive housing allowance for annual training and other active duty orders.
Do reserve years count for pay?
Yes. Years of service for pay include all time in a reserve component, not just active duty.
When is drill pay deposited?
Usually within a few days to two weeks after the drill weekend, once your unit processes attendance.
What if I am activated?
On orders for more than 30 days you receive full active-duty pay and allowances, including BAH. Total pay calculator
For youVeterans: your tools
CalculatorVA rating and payCombine your ratings the way VA does, then see monthly pay with your family.70% rating, alone: $1,808.45 a month
RatesVA pay by ratingMonthly compensation for every rating from 10% to 100%, with dependents.100% rating, alone: $3,938.58
CheckerState tax on retired payMost states now exempt military retired pay in full or in part. Check yours.Rules for all 50 states and DCMost asked: veterans
How does VA combine ratings?
One at a time, each applied to what is left, then rounded to the nearest 10. 50% and 30% make 65%, which rounds to 70%. How combined ratings work
How much is a 70% rating?
$1,808.45 a month for a veteran alone, and $1,961.45 with a spouse, at the rates in effect since December 1, 2025. All ratings
Is VA disability pay taxed?
No. VA disability compensation is not subject to federal income tax, and states do not tax it either. More on tax-free pay
When is VA disability paid?
On the first business day of each month, for the month before. It is not paid on the 15th.
What does the GI Bill pay for housing?
The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays a monthly housing allowance based on the E-5 with-dependents BAH rate for your school’s ZIP code. GI Bill housing
For youJoining soon: your tools
Recruit payE-1 to E-4 payWhat you earn in your first years, rank by rank, and when it goes up.E-1: $2,407.20 a month
CalculatorPay with allowancesAdd housing and food allowances to see what your total will look like.Food allowance: $476.95 a month
Calendar2027 paydaysEvery payday next year, including the ones that arrive early.Paid on the 1st and the 15thMost asked: joining soon
How much does an E-1 make?
$2,407.20 a month in 2026 basic pay. An E-2 earns $2,697.90 and an E-3 under 2 years $2,836.80. Recruit pay explained
Is basic pay taxed in training?
Yes. Basic pay is taxable from day one. Housing and food allowances, when you get them, are not.
Do recruits get BAH?
Single members living in barracks do not. Married recruits receive BAH with dependents, generally based on where the family lives.
When does TSP matching start?
Under the Blended Retirement System you are enrolled automatically, and government matching starts after two years of service. TSP limits for 2027
How much leave will I get?
30 days of paid leave a year, earned at 2.5 days a month.
For youMilitary families: your tools
HousingBAH with dependentsOne higher rate for any number of dependents, and when it starts.Fort Bragg E-5: $1,806 vs $1,527
AllowanceFamily separation allowancePaid when duty keeps you away from your family for more than 30 days.$250 a month, tax-free
SavingTSP limits for 2027How much you can put into the Thrift Savings Plan next year.Matching starts after 2 yearsMost asked: military families
How much more BAH with dependents?
It depends on the base. At Fort Bragg an E-5 receives $1,806 with dependents and $1,527 without. With vs without
Does BAH rise with more children?
No. There is one with-dependents rate, whether you have one dependent or six.
When is family separation allowance paid?
After more than 30 days away from your dependents because of duty, at $250 a month. FSA explained
Does VA pay more with a spouse?
At a rating of 30% or higher, yes. At 70%, a veteran with a spouse receives $1,961.45 a month. VA calculator
What changes after I marry?
Report the marriage to your finance office. BAH moves to the with-dependents rate from the date of marriage.
Example: E-5, over 6 years, married, Fort Bragg. Civilian figure assumes married filing jointly and no state tax. Full calculator with what-if table
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ExplorePay, VA ratings and state tax at a glance
2026 basic pay by rank
Tap a rank for its full pay chart and total with allowances.
Quick VA rating math
Pick up to four ratings. VA combines them, it does not add them.
Does your state tax military pay?
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