The 2019 military pay charts go into effect on January 1, 2019. You will see the corresponding income in your first paycheck, which should arrive on January 15, 2019.
Military members will receive a 2.6% annual cost of living adjustment. While this doesn’t sound like a huge raise, it is actually the largest military pay raise since 2010. You can compare the numbers on these pay charts to the 2018 military pay charts to see how they compare to 2018 pay rates, or the 2020 military pay charts with a 3.1% raise.
When Do I Get Paid? Members are generally paid on the 1st and 15th of the month unless that day falls on a weekend or holiday. If so, members are generally paid the preceding business day. The following links will take you to the current military pay dates:
Table of Contents
- 2019 Pay Scale – Officers, Prior Enlisted Officers, and Warrant Officers
- 2019 Military Pay Chart – Officers and Warrant Officers 0 Years – 10 Years
- 2019 Military Pay Chart – Officers and Warrant Officers 12 Years – 26 Years
- 2019 Military Pay Chart – Officers and Warrant Officers 28 Years – 40 Years
- Prior Enlisted Officer Pay Qualifications
- 2019 Pay Scale – Officers, Prior Enlisted Officers, and Warrant Officers
2019 Pay Scale – Officers, Prior Enlisted Officers, and Warrant Officers
The following pay charts only show basic military pay; they do not include non-taxable pay and allowances such as BAS or BAH.
Officers generally begin their careers with the pay grade of O-1. However, there may be exceptions. Some officers have prior enlisted service and qualify as O-1E (E denoting prior-enlisted experience). Some officers may also join the military at an accelerated rank based on professional experience in the civilian sector. This is generally limited to certain professions, including the medical, legal, and similar career fields.
Finally, Warrant Officers are technical experts in their career fields and generally start at the pay grade of W-1. However, Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO-2) is the entry-level warrant officer rank in the US Coast Guard. The pay grade for this rank is W-2. Warrant Officers are found in all branches of the military except the Air Force.
2019 Military Pay Chart – Officers and Warrant Officers 0 Years – 10 Years
| Pay Grade | <2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-8 | 10668.90 | 11018.70 | 11250.60 | 11315.40 | 11604.90 | 12088.20 | 12200.70 |
| O-7 | 8865.30 | 9276.90 | 9467.70 | 9619.20 | 9893.40 | 10164.60 | 10477.80 |
| O-6 | 6722.70 | 7385.70 | 7870.50 | 7870.50 | 7900.50 | 8239.20 | 8283.90 |
| O-5 | 5604.30 | 6313.50 | 6750.00 | 6832.50 | 7105.50 | 7268.40 | 7627.20 |
| O-4 | 4835.40 | 5597.40 | 5971.20 | 6054.00 | 6400.80 | 6772.80 | 7236.00 |
| O-3 | 4251.60 | 4819.20 | 5201.40 | 5671.50 | 5943.60 | 6241.50 | 6434.40 |
| O-2 | 3673.50 | 4183.80 | 4818.30 | 4981.20 | 5083.80 | 5083.80 | 5083.80 |
| O-1 | 3188.40 | 3318.90 | 4011.90 | 4011.90 | 4011.90 | 4011.90 | 4011.90 |
| Prior Enlisted Officers | |||||||
| Pay Grade | <2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| O-3E | - | - | - | 5671.50 | 5943.60 | 6241.50 | 6434.40 |
| O-2E | - | - | - | 4981.20 | 5083.80 | 5245.50 | 5518.80 |
| O-1E | - | - | - | 4011.90 | 4284.00 | 4442.40 | 4604.40 |
| Warrant Officers | |||||||
| Pay Grade | <2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| W-4 | 4393.80 | 4726.20 | 4861.80 | 4995.30 | 5225.10 | 5452.80 | 5683.20 |
| W-3 | 4012.50 | 4179.60 | 4351.20 | 4407.60 | 4586.70 | 4940.40 | 5308.50 |
| W-2 | 3550.50 | 3886.20 | 3989.70 | 4060.50 | 4290.90 | 4648.80 | 4826.10 |
| W-1 | 3116.40 | 3452.10 | 3542.10 | 3732.60 | 3957.90 | 4290.30 | 4445.10 |
2019 Military Pay Chart – Officers and Warrant Officers 12 Years – 26 Years
| Pay Grade | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-10 | - | - | - | - | 16025.10 | 16025.10 | 16025.10 | 16025.10 |
| O-9 | - | - | - | - | 15078.60 | 15296.40 | 15610.20 | 16025.10 |
| O-8 | 12659.70 | 12791.70 | 13187.10 | 13759.50 | 14287.20 | 14639.40 | 14639.40 | 14639.40 |
| O-7 | 10790.10 | 11103.60 | 12088.20 | 12919.20 | 12919.20 | 12919.20 | 12919.20 | 12985.50 |
| O-6 | 8283.90 | 8754.30 | 9586.80 | 10075.20 | 10563.30 | 10841.40 | 11123.10 | 11668.20 |
| O-5 | 7890.90 | 8230.80 | 8751.30 | 8998.50 | 9243.60 | 9521.40 | 9521.40 | 9521.40 |
| O-4 | 7596.30 | 7846.50 | 7990.50 | 8073.90 | 8073.90 | 8073.90 | 8073.90 | 8073.90 |
| O-3 | 6751.20 | 6916.80 | 6916.80 | 6916.80 | 6916.80 | 6916.80 | 6916.80 | 6916.80 |
| O-2 | 5083.80 | 5083.80 | 5083.80 | 5083.80 | 5083.80 | 5083.80 | 5083.80 | 5083.80 |
| O-1 | 4011.90 | 4011.90 | 4011.90 | 4011.90 | 4011.90 | 4011.90 | 4011.90 | 4011.90 |
| Prior Enlisted Officers | ||||||||
| Pay Grade | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 |
| O-3E | 6751.20 | 7018.80 | 7172.70 | 7381.80 | 7381.80 | 7381.80 | 7381.80 | 7381.80 |
| O-2E | 5730.00 | 5887.20 | 5887.20 | 5887.20 | 5887.20 | 5887.20 | 5887.20 | 5887.20 |
| O-1E | 4763.40 | 4981.20 | 4981.20 | 4981.20 | 4981.20 | 4981.20 | 4981.20 | 4981.20 |
| Warrant Officers | ||||||||
| Pay Grade | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 |
| W-5 | - | - | - | - | 7812.60 | 8208.60 | 8503.80 | 8830.50 |
| W-4 | 6029.10 | 6333.00 | 6621.90 | 6858.60 | 7089.30 | 7428.00 | 7706.40 | 8024.10 |
| W-3 | 5482.20 | 5682.90 | 5889.00 | 6261.00 | 6511.80 | 6661.80 | 6821.10 | 7038.60 |
| W-2 | 5000.40 | 5214.00 | 5381.10 | 5532.00 | 5713.20 | 5832.00 | 5926.20 | 5926.20 |
| W-1 | 4662.00 | 4875.30 | 5043.30 | 5197.50 | 5385.30 | 5385.30 | 5385.30 | 5385.30 |
2019 Military Pay Chart – Officers and Warrant Officers 28 Years – 40 Years
| Pay Grade | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-10 | 16025.10 | 16025.10 | 16025.10 | 16025.10 | 16025.10 | 16025.10 | 16025.10 |
| O-9 | 16025.10 | 16025.10 | 16025.10 | 16025.10 | 16025.10 | 16025.10 | 16025.10 |
| O-8 | 14639.40 | 15006.00 | 15006.00 | 15380.70 | 15380.70 | 15380.70 | 15380.70 |
| O-7 | 12985.50 | 13245.30 | 13245.30 | 13245.30 | 13245.30 | 13245.30 | 13245.30 |
| O-6 | 11668.20 | 11901.30 | 11901.30 | 11901.30 | 11901.30 | 11901.30 | 11901.30 |
| O-5 | 9521.40 | 9521.40 | 9521.40 | 9521.40 | 9521.40 | 9521.40 | 9521.40 |
| O-4 | 8073.90 | 8073.90 | 8073.90 | 8073.90 | 8073.90 | 8073.90 | 8073.90 |
| O-3 | 6916.80 | 6916.80 | 6916.80 | 6916.80 | 6916.80 | 6916.80 | 6916.80 |
| O-2 | 5083.80 | 5083.80 | 5083.80 | 5083.80 | 5083.80 | 5083.80 | 5083.80 |
| O-1 | 4011.90 | 4011.90 | 4011.90 | 4011.90 | 4011.90 | 4011.90 | 4011.90 |
| Prior Enlisted Officers | |||||||
| Pay Grade | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 |
| O-3E | 7381.80 | 7381.80 | 7381.80 | 7381.80 | 7381.80 | 7381.80 | 7381.80 |
| O-2E | 5887.20 | 5887.20 | 5887.20 | 5887.20 | 5887.20 | 5887.20 | 5887.20 |
| O-1E | 4981.20 | 4981.20 | 4981.20 | 4981.20 | 4981.20 | 4981.20 | 4981.20 |
| Warrant Officers | |||||||
| Pay Grade | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 |
| W-5 | 8830.50 | 9272.70 | 9272.70 | 9735.60 | 9735.60 | 10223.40 | 10223.4 |
| W-4 | 8024.10 | 8184.00 | 8184.00 | 8184.00 | 8184.00 | 8184.00 | 8184.00 |
| W-3 | 7038.60 | 7038.60 | 7038.60 | 7038.60 | 7038.60 | 7038.60 | 7038.60 |
| W-2 | 5926.20 | 5926.20 | 5926.20 | 5926.20 | 5926.20 | 5926.20 | 5926.20 |
| W-1 | 5385.30 | 5385.30 | 5385.30 | 5385.30 | 5385.30 | 5385.30 | 5385.30 |
(*1) Basic pay for an O-7 to O-10 is limited by Level II of the Executive Schedule in effect during Calendar Year 2018 which is: $15,800.10. This includes officers serving as Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), Chief of Staff of the Army, Chief of Naval Operations, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Commandant of the Marine Corps, Commandant of the Coast Guard, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, or commander of a unified or specified combatant command (as defined in 10 U.S.C. 161(c)).
(*2) Basic pay for O-6 and below is limited by Level V of the Executive Schedule in effect during Calendar Year 2018 which is: $12,816.60.
Combat Zone Tax Exclusion Pay: The Combat Zone Tax Exclusion for O-1 and above is based on the basic pay rate shown in note 3 plus Hostile Fire Pay/Imminent Danger Pay which is $225.00 per month (prorated).
Academy Cadets & ROTC Basic Pay: Basic pay rate for Academy Cadets/Midshipmen and ROTC members/applicants is $1,087.80.
Prior Enlisted Officer Pay Qualifications
Prior enlisted officers may be eligible for a higher pay rate based on time in service and other criteria. The pay scale offers the following note:
*Applicable to O-1 to O-3 with at least four years & one day of active duty or more than 1460 points as a warrant and/or enlisted member. See Department of Defense Financial Management Regulations (DoDFMR) for more detailed explanation on who is eligible for this special basic pay rate.
2019 Pay Scale – Officers, Prior Enlisted Officers, and Warrant Officers
Enlisted members generally begin their service in the pay grades of E-1 through E-3. Military branches sometimes reward higher starting ranks for enlisted members as incentives for joining the military. Common routes to starting with a higher enlisted rank include having some college credits at the time of joining, signing a longer enlistment contract, having earned an Eagle Scout award, and other reasons. The member’s starting pay grade will be clearly stated in their enlistment contract.
2019 Military Pay Chart – Enlisted Members 0 Years – 10 Years
| Pay Grade | <2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-9 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 5308.20 |
| E-8 | - | - | - | - | - | 4345.50 | 4537.50 |
| E-7 | 3020.70 | 3296.70 | 3423.30 | 3590.10 | 3720.90 | 3945.00 | 4071.60 |
| E-6 | 2612.70 | 2875.20 | 3002.10 | 3125.40 | 3254.10 | 3543.30 | 3656.40 |
| E-5 | 2393.40 | 2554.80 | 2678.10 | 2804.40 | 3001.50 | 3207.00 | 3376.20 |
| E-4 | 2194.50 | 2307.00 | 2431.80 | 2555.40 | 2664.00 | 2664.00 | 2664.00 |
| E-3 | 1981.20 | 2105.70 | 2233.50 | 2233.50 | 2233.50 | 2233.50 | 2233.50 |
| E-2 | 1884.00 | 1884.00 | 1884.00 | 1884.00 | 1884.00 | 1884.00 | 1884.00 |
| E-1 >4 Mon | 1680.90 | 1680.90 | 1680.90 | 1680.90 | 1680.90 | 1680.90 | 1680.90 |
| E-1 <4 Mon | 1554.00 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
2019 Military Pay Chart – Enlisted Members 12 Years – 26 Years
| Pay Grade | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-9 | 5428.50 | 5580.30 | 5758.20 | 5938.80 | 6226.50 | 6470.70 | 6726.60 | 7119.30 |
| E-8 | 4656.60 | 4798.80 | 4953.60 | 5232.30 | 5373.60 | 5613.90 | 5747.40 | 6075.60 |
| E-7 | 4295.70 | 4482.60 | 4609.80 | 4745.40 | 4797.60 | 4974.30 | 5068.80 | 5429.10 |
| E-6 | 3874.80 | 3941.40 | 3990.00 | 4046.70 | 4046.70 | 4046.70 | 4046.70 | 4046.70 |
| E-5 | 3396.60 | 3396.60 | 3396.60 | 3396.60 | 3396.60 | 3396.60 | 3396.60 | 3396.60 |
| E-4 | 2664.00 | 2664.00 | 2664.00 | 2664.00 | 2664.00 | 2664.00 | 2664.00 | 2664.00 |
| E-3 | 2233.50 | 2233.50 | 2233.50 | 2233.50 | 2233.50 | 2233.50 | 2233.50 | 2233.50 |
| E-2 | 1884.00 | 1884.00 | 1884.00 | 1884.00 | 1884.00 | 1884.00 | 1884.00 | 1884.00 |
| E-1 >4 Mon | 1680.90 | 1680.90 | 1680.90 | 1680.90 | 1680.90 | 1680.90 | 1680.90 | 1680.90 |
2019 Military Pay Chart – Enlisted Members 28 Years – 40 Years
| Pay Grade | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-9 | 7119.30 | 7474.80 | 7474.80 | 7848.90 | 7848.90 | 8241.90 | 8241.90 |
| E-8 | 6075.60 | 6197.70 | 6197.70 | 6197.70 | 6197.70 | 6197.70 | 6197.70 |
| E-7 | 5429.10 | 5429.10 | 5429.10 | 5429.10 | 5429.10 | 5429.10 | 5429.10 |
| E-6 | 4046.70 | 4046.70 | 4046.70 | 4046.70 | 4046.70 | 4046.70 | 4046.70 |
| E-5 | 3396.60 | 3396.60 | 3396.60 | 3396.60 | 3396.60 | 3396.60 | 3396.60 |
| E-4 | 2664.00 | 2664.00 | 2664.00 | 2664.00 | 2664.00 | 2664.00 | 2664.00 |
| E-3 | 2233.50 | 2233.50 | 2233.50 | 2233.50 | 2233.50 | 2233.50 | 2233.50 |
| E-2 | 1884.00 | 1884.00 | 1884.00 | 1884.00 | 1884.00 | 1884.00 | 1884.00 |
| E-1 >4 Mon | 1680.90 | 1680.90 | 1680.90 | 1680.90 | 1680.90 | 1680.90 | 1680.90 |
(*3) For the Sergeant Major of the Army Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, Senior Enlisted Advisor of the JCS, or Senior Enlisted Advisor Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau basic pay is: $8,361.00.
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F Fulco says
Hi. I’m A Retired Staff Sergeant With 24 Yrs. Of Service & I’m 60 Yrs. [Young] As Of Early This Year [Jan.2019]; Haven’t Sent[ Returned ] In [My] The Forms From The Bank [For Direct Deposit ] For I’ve Been Having Problems In Filling It Out.
Once I Do , When Will I Get My Retirement Pay Into My Direct Deposit Account. . Will I Get Back Pay [Retro Active] As Of Feb. 1st. Of This Year.
I Would Like To Thank You For Your Answer Concerning This Question Of Mine.
Ryan Guina says
Hello F Fulco, Contact the Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS). They handle all military pay issues and should have someone on their customer support staff who can assist you. This is their website.
I wish you the best, and thank you for your service.
Daniel Lavelle says
I retired out of the reserves with 26 years and don’t receive my pay until I’m 60. How do I find what my pay will be.
Elliot says
Fast question about the chart, an E-4 specialist with over 6 years of experience gets $2,664.01 per month. But the next immediate rank, the sergeant, starts at $2,393.45 with less than 2 years of experience.
So if a soldier was a specialist for 6 years, then got promoted to sergeant, wouldn’t he actually temporarily be making less than he was as a 6 year specialist?
Ryan Guina says
Hello Elliot, no, that would not be the case. The specified monthly pay rate is for the number of total years of service in the military, not the number of years at that specific rank. So the E-4 with 6 years of service who is promoted to E-5 will receive the E-5 pay at 6 years of service. The member’s pay would increase from $2,664.01 to $3,001.36.
Dwane Marsh says
I understand your main focus is on active duty, but how do retirees know how much of a raise they will get in 2019? I tried to use the calculator, but is says there are too many factors when considering retirement pay. How can I find out?
Ryan Guina says
Hello Dwane, Military retirees will have a 2.8% pay raise in 2019. The COLA used for military retirement pay is the same as that used for Social Security benefits and federal government retirees.
I wish you the best, and thank you for your service!