Military Pay Calculator

Basic pay depends on grade and service duration. BAS is separate. FICA uses the 2026 Social Security wage base and Medicare rules on annualized taxable pay. Housing uses the selected duty-station ZIP and dependency status. Unknown ZIPs and unsupported allowances are excluded.

Pay grade is the E, W or O code on your LES, not your rank title. An Army sergeant, a Navy petty officer second class and an Air Force staff sergeant are all E-5 and receive the same basic pay. Years of service for pay are counted from your Pay Entry Base Date (PEBD), which includes most prior active and reserve service.

• Choose “2 or less” until you have more than two years of service.
• Pay rises only at the published bands. With five years of service you use the “Over 4” column until you pass six years.
• After a promotion, select the new grade and keep the same years of service. Time in grade does not change basic pay.

• Basic pay is set by grade and years of service. It is the same in every branch and location, it is taxable, and it is the only part subject to Social Security and Medicare (FICA).
• BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) depends on your permanent duty station ZIP, grade and whether you have dependents. It is not taxable. Members assigned to government quarters generally do not receive locality BAH.
• BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) is a flat monthly food allowance: $476.95 for enlisted members and $328.48 for officers in 2026. It is not taxable.

Assumptions: active duty, 2026 rates, E-5 with more than four but not more than six years of service, duty station ZIP 92101, with dependents, 5% TSP contribution, no special pay or bonuses.

Federal and state income tax would come out of basic pay only, because BAH and BAS are tax-free. That is why two members with the same total can see different take-home pay.