Military Pay Calculator

Calculate total military compensation including base pay, BAH, and BAS by rank and years of service.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: DFAS

Dependents

Total Monthly Pay

$6,323.95

Annual Compensation

$75,887.40

Tax-Free (Monthly)

$2,376.95

BAH + BAS

Pay Breakdown

Base Pay$3,947.00/mo
BAH (Housing)$1,900.00/mo
BAS (Subsistence — Enlisted)$476.95/mo
Total Monthly$6,323.95
Total Annual$75,887.40
Tax-Free Portion (Annual)$28,523.40

Use the Military Pay Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

Total military compensation rarely comes from a single line item, which is why this tool stitches base pay together with Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) into one 2026 figure. Seeing the full picture by rank and years of service makes budgeting, saving, and career decisions far easier than reading any one paycheck component in isolation.

Base pay is pulled from the official 2026 military pay charts that the Department of Defense refreshes each year. BAH layers on top, driven by your duty station's zip code and whether you have dependents, using the 2026 BAH rates the DoD publishes. BAS works differently: it is a flat monthly amount paid to everyone in a category, with the 2026 rate projected near $480.29 for enlisted members and $334.39 for officers.

Because BAH tracks local housing markets, a transfer across the country can swing your total noticeably even if your rank never changes. The output here is an estimate, and your real pay can differ once specific allowances, deductions, or late rate adjustments are factored in. Your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) holds the authoritative numbers, and a financial advisor can translate them into a plan suited to your situation.

Example: E-5 with 6 Years of Service, Married, in San Diego, CA

  1. 1 Input: Rank: E-5, Years of Service: 6, Dependency Status: Married, Duty Station Zip Code: 92101 (San Diego, CA).
  2. 2 Calculation: Base Pay (E-5, 6 years, 2026) = $3,744.90/month. BAH (92101, Married, 2026) = $3,168.00/month. BAS (Enlisted, 2026) = $480.29/month.
  3. 3 Result: Total Estimated Monthly Compensation = $3,744.90 (Base Pay) + $3,168.00 (BAH) + $480.29 (BAS) = $7,393.19.
  4. 4 Context: This E-5 in San Diego, CA, receives a significant portion of their total compensation from BAH due to the high cost of living in that area. This example highlights how location and dependency status play a crucial role in overall military pay.

Source: DFAS · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How is military base pay determined?
Base pay depends on rank (pay grade E-1 through O-10) and years of service. Pay increases with time in service up to certain caps. A typical E-5 with 6 years earns approximately $3,700-3,900/month in base pay.
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) covers housing costs based on your duty station, pay grade, and dependency status. It varies significantly by location, ranging from $800-1,000/month in low-cost areas to $3,000-4,500/month in expensive markets.
Is military pay tax-free?
Base pay and most allowances are subject to federal tax. However, BAH and BAS are tax-free. Combat zone pay is entirely tax-free. State tax treatment varies; some states (like Texas and Florida) have no income tax, and others exempt military pay.

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