Military compensation
This pay-grade table shows official monthly base pay by years of service. If you are comparing offers, the key is total compensation: base pay plus BAS and location-adjusted housing value can materially shift what a civilian salary must replace.
Data vintage: DFAS basic pay (2025) and DTMO BAH averages (2026).
| Years of service | Monthly base pay | Annual base pay |
|---|---|---|
| 20+ years | $9,797 | $117,569 |
| 22+ years | $10,295 | $123,534 |
| 24+ years | $10,665 | $127,980 |
| 26+ years | $11,074 | $132,890 |
| 28+ years | $11,074 | $132,890 |
| 30+ years | $11,629 | $139,547 |
| 32+ years | $11,629 | $139,547 |
| 34+ years | $12,209 | $146,513 |
| 36+ years | $12,209 | $146,513 |
| 38+ years | $12,821 | $153,853 |
| 40+ years | $12,821 | $153,853 |
For a typical W-5 member (using the 6+ years row), estimated monthly military compensation is $13,184 when you include BAS and the national average BAH-with-dependents benchmark.
That is roughly $158,208/yearbefore adding healthcare and retirement advantages.
Use the Pay Translator to model housing, tax treatment, and benefits gaps so you negotiate with a complete compensation target instead of salary alone.
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