Military pay is expected to get around a 4.5% raise in 2025. That’s the feeling coming from lawmakers as they spend this time of year ironing out the defense budget. There are a few reasons why it’s fair to believe a 4.5% military pay raise is coming in 2025.
- The White House and the House Committee on Armed Services (HCAS) agreed on a 4.5% raise.
- While inflation is cooling off to levels the Federal Reserve is comfortable with, the impact is still being felt nationwide, and the Department of Defense (DoD) has to keep up.
- The military wants to boost the recruiting of new servicemembers and retain current ones from being lured away by jobs in the civilian sector. (Put a pin in that “recruiting” concept because it may also cause a wrinkle in negotiations.)
2025 Military Pay Raise Plans
The DoD’s budget request to the White House calls for a 4.5% increase across all ranks in military pay and a 4.5% increase to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS).
Comparing Current Rates with Propose Rates
If approved, here’s how your budget changes if you only receive BAH and BAS with your military pay.
| 2024 Military Pay Monthly Breakdown (Current Pay Rates) | |
| Military Pay (E-5, 5 years) | $3,366 |
| *Basic Allowance for Housing (San Antonio, TX, 1 Child) | $1,956 |
| *Basic Allowance for Subsistence (Enlisted) | $460.25 |
The chart above shows the pay of an E-5 active duty servicemember in their 5th year of service, living in San Antonio, Texas, with 1 child receiving both BAH and BAS. The total take-home pay before tax on military pay would be $5,782.25 monthly.
| 2025 Military Pay Monthly Breakdown (Proposed) | |
| Military Pay (E-5, 6 years) | $3,763.88 |
| *+Basic Allowance for Housing (San Antonio, TX, 1 Child) | $2,044.02 |
| *+Basic Allowance for Subsistence (Enlisted) | $480.96 |
+Denotes 2025 proposed plan of 4.5% increase
Under the 2025 proposed plan, the same servicemember who’s budget we looked at for 2024, would raise to $6,288.86 per month before taxes on military pay—a jump in about $500 a month!
Proposed 2025 Military Pay Charts
The following charts reflect the monthly pay for servicemembers in all branches if the request for a 4.5% military pay raise went into effect in 2025.
Officers and Warrant Officers with up to 10 Years of Service
| Pay Grade | Fewer Than Two | Two or More | Three or More | Four or More | Six or More | Eight or More | 10 or more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-8 | $13,379.87 | $13,818.77 | $14,109.38 | $14,190.26 | $14,553.61 | $15,159.29 | $15,300.68 |
| O-7 | $11,117.65 | $11,633.99 | $11,873.19 | $12,063.48 | $12,407.08 | $12,747.22 | $13,140.04 |
| O-6 | $8,430.96 | $9,262.04 | $9,869.92 | $9,869.92 | $9,907.85 | $10,332.33 | $10,388.76 |
| O-5 | $7,028.36 | $7,917.44 | $8,465.44 | $8,568.58 | $8,910.92 | $9,115.01 | $9,564.89 |
| O-4 | $6,064.34 | $7,019.58 | $7,488.89 | $7,592.34 | $8,027.17 | $8,493.66 | $9,074.88 |
| O-3 | $5,331.69 | $6,043.97 | $6,522.68 | $7,112.37 | $7,453.78 | $7,827.78 | $8,069.18 |
| O-2 | $4,606.88 | $5,246.74 | $6,043.03 | $6,247.11 | $6,375.34 | $6,375.34 | $6,375.34 |
| O-1 | $3,998.38 | $4,162.03 | $5,031.36 | $5,031.36 | $5,031.36 | $5,031.36 | $5,031.36 |
| Prior Enlisted Officers | |||||||
| Pay Grade | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | |
| O-3E | – | – | – | $7,112.37 | $7,453.78 | $7,827.78 | $8,069.18 |
| O-2E | – | – | – | $6,247.11 | $6,375.34 | $6,578.17 | $6,920.83 |
| O-1E | – | – | – | $5,031.36 | $5,372.45 | $5,571.21 | $5,774.36 |
| Warrant Officers | |||||||
| Pay Grade | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | |
| W-4 | $5,510.39 | $5,926.72 | $6,096.95 | $6,264.36 | $6,552.78 | $6,838.06 | $7,127.11 |
| W-3 | $5,032.30 | $5,241.41 | $5,457.09 | $5,527.01 | $5,752.10 | $6,195.70 | $6,657.49 |
| W-2 | $4,452.64 | $4,873.67 | $5,003.15 | $5,092.49 | $5,380.91 | $5,829.53 | $6,052.43 |
| W-1 | $3,908.09 | $4,329.44 | $4,441.98 | $4,681.18 | $4,963.65 | $5,379.97 | $5,574.34 |
Officers and Warrant Officers with 12 to 24 Years of Service
| Pay Grade | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-10 | – | – | – | – | $19,323.83 | $19,323.83 | $19,323.83 |
| O-9 | – | – | – | – | $18,910.32 | $19,183.38 | $19,323.83 |
| O-8 | $15,876.27 | $16,042.11 | $16,538.07 | $17,255.98 | $17,917.15 | $18,359.19 | $18,359.19 |
| O-7 | $13,531.60 | $13,925.04 | $15,159.29 | $16,201.99 | $16,201.99 | $16,201.99 | $16,201.99 |
| O-6 | $10,388.76 | $10,979.08 | $12,022.73 | $12,635.30 | $13,247.57 | $13,596.18 | $13,949.18 |
| O-5 | $9,895.94 | $10,322.61 | $10,974.38 | $11,285.06 | $11,592.29 | $11,940.90 | $11,940.90 |
| O-4 | $9,526.32 | $9,840.45 | $10,021.03 | $10,125.11 | $10,125.11 | $10,125.11 | $10,125.11 |
| O-3 | $8,466.69 | $8,674.55 | $8,674.55 | $8,674.55 | $8,674.55 | $8,674.55 | $8,674.55 |
| O-2 | $6,375.34 | $6,375.34 | $6,375.34 | $6,375.34 | $6,375.34 | $6,375.34 | $6,375.34 |
| O-1 | $5,031.36 | $5,031.36 | $5,031.36 | $5,031.36 | $5,031.36 | $5,031.36 | $5,031.36 |
| Prior Enlisted Officers | |||||||
| Pay Grade | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 |
| O-3E | $8,466.69 | $8,802.45 | $8,995.26 | $9,257.66 | $9,257.66 | $9,257.66 | $9,257.66 |
| O-2E | $7,186.05 | $7,382.93 | $7,382.93 | $7,382.93 | $7,382.93 | $7,382.93 | $7,382.93 |
| O-1E | $5,973.74 | $6,247.11 | $6,247.11 | $6,247.11 | $6,247.11 | $6,247.11 | $6,247.11 |
| Warrant Officers | |||||||
| Pay Grade | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 |
| W-5 | – | – | – | – | $9,797.50 | $10,294.40 | $10,664.96 |
| W-4 | $7,560.99 | $7,941.90 | $8,304.30 | $8,601.50 | $8,891.17 | $9,315.65 | $9,664.89 |
| W-3 | $6,875.06 | $7,126.80 | $7,385.43 | $7,851.92 | $8,166.36 | $8,354.46 | $8,554.47 |
| W-2 | $6,271.25 | $6,538.98 | $6,748.40 | $6,937.76 | $7,164.73 | $7,313.64 | $7,431.83 |
| W-1 | $5,847.09 | $6,114.19 | $6,324.55 | $6,518.29 | $6,753.73 | $6,753.73 | $6,753.73 |
Officers and Warrant Officers with 26 to 40 Years of Service
| Pay Grade | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-10 | $19,323.83 | $19,323.83 | $19,323.83 | $19,323.83 | $19,323.83 | $19,323.83 | $19,323.83 | $19,323.83 |
| O-9 | $19,323.83 | $19,323.83 | $19,323.83 | $19,323.83 | $19,323.83 | $19,323.83 | $19,323.83 | $19,323.83 |
| O-8 | $18,359.19 | $18,359.19 | $18,818.78 | $18,818.78 | $19,288.71 | $19,288.71 | $19,288.71 | $19,288.71 |
| O-7 | $16,285.38 | $16,285.38 | $16,611.11 | $16,611.11 | $16,611.11 | $16,611.11 | $16,611.11 | $16,611.11 |
| O-6 | $14,632.93 | $14,632.93 | $14,925.11 | $14,925.11 | $14,925.11 | $14,925.11 | $14,925.11 | $14,925.11 |
| O-5 | $11,940.90 | $11,940.90 | $11,940.90 | $11,940.90 | $11,940.90 | $11,940.90 | $11,940.90 | $11,940.90 |
| O-4 | $10,125.11 | $10,125.11 | $10,125.11 | $10,125.11 | $10,125.11 | $10,125.11 | $10,125.11 | $10,125.11 |
| O-3 | $8,674.55 | $8,674.55 | $8,674.55 | $8,674.55 | $8,674.55 | $8,674.55 | $8,674.55 | $8,674.55 |
| O-2 | $6,375.34 | $6,375.34 | $6,375.34 | $6,375.34 | $6,375.34 | $6,375.34 | $6,375.34 | $6,375.34 |
| O-1 | $5,031.36 | $5,031.36 | $5,031.36 | $5,031.36 | $5,031.36 | $5,031.36 | $5,031.36 | $5,031.36 |
| Prior Enlisted Officers | ||||||||
| Pay Grade | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 |
| O-3E | $9,257.66 | $9,257.66 | $9,257.66 | $9,257.66 | $9,257.66 | $9,257.66 | $9,257.66 | $9,257.66 |
| O-2E | $7,382.93 | $7,382.93 | $7,382.93 | $7,382.93 | $7,382.93 | $7,382.93 | $7,382.93 | $7,382.93 |
| O-1E | $6,247.11 | $6,247.11 | $6,247.11 | $6,247.11 | $6,247.11 | $6,247.11 | $6,247.11 | $6,247.11 |
| Warrant Officers | ||||||||
| Pay Grade | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 |
| W-5 | $11,074.07 | $11,074.07 | $11,628.97 | $11,628.97 | $12,209.26 | $12,209.26 | $12,821.21 | $12,821.21 |
| W-4 | $10,063.04 | $10,063.04 | $10,263.68 | $10,263.68 | $10,263.68 | $10,263.68 | $10,263.68 | $10,263.68 |
| W-3 | $8,827.22 | $8,827.22 | $8,827.22 | $8,827.22 | $8,827.22 | $8,827.22 | $8,827.22 | $8,827.22 |
| W-2 | $7,431.83 | $7,431.83 | $7,431.83 | $7,431.83 | $7,431.83 | $7,431.83 | $7,431.83 | $7,431.83 |
| W-1 | $6,753.73 | $6,753.73 | $6,753.73 | $6,753.73 | $6,753.73 | $6,753.73 | $6,753.73 | $6,753.73 |
Officers serving in combat zones receive special pay privileges. Those ranking 0-1 and above can eliminate portions of their pay from taxes due to the dangerous nature of their role. You can calculate your full paycheck by adding your “hostile fire or imminent danger” pay to your basic pay rate.
Prior Enlisted Officer Pay Qualifications
Notably, officers who are prior enlisted may receive an increased pay rate based on their time spent in service, among other specifications. Consult the Department of Defense’s Financial Management Regulations for more in-depth information regarding pay rates.
Enlisted Members with up to 10 Years of Service
| Pay Grade | Fewer Than Two | Two or More | Three or More | Four or More | Six or More | Eight or More | 10 or More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-9 | – | – | – | – | – | – | $6,657.17 |
| E-8 | – | – | – | – | – | $5,449.57 | $5,690.65 |
| E-7 | $3,788.02 | $4,134.44 | $4,293.07 | $4,502.17 | $4,666.45 | $4,947.66 | $5,106.29 |
| E-6 | $3,276.70 | $3,605.88 | $3,765.14 | $3,919.69 | $4,080.52 | $4,443.86 | $4,585.25 |
| E-5 | $3,001.45 | $3,203.66 | $3,358.84 | $3,517.16 | $3,763.88 | $4,021.89 | $4,234.44 |
| E-4 | $2,752.22 | $2,892.98 | $3,049.73 | $3,204.28 | $3,341.28 | $3,341.28 | $3,341.28 |
| E-3 | $2,484.49 | $2,640.61 | $2,800.81 | $2,800.81 | $2,800.81 | $2,800.81 | $2,800.81 |
| E-2 | $2,362.85 | $2,362.85 | $2,362.85 | $2,362.85 | $2,362.85 | $2,362.85 | $2,362.85 |
| E-1 >4 Mon | $2,107.97 | $2,107.97 | $2,107.97 | $2,107.97 | $2,107.97 | $2,107.97 | $2,107.97 |
| E-1 | $1,948.93 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Enlisted Members with 12 to 24 Years of Service
| Pay Grade | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-9 | $6,807.97 | $6,997.95 | $7,221.47 | $7,447.82 | $7,808.34 | $8,114.63 | $8,435.97 |
| E-8 | $5,839.88 | $6,018.57 | $6,212.00 | $6,561.87 | $6,739.31 | $7,040.58 | $7,207.68 |
| E-7 | $5,387.18 | $5,621.37 | $5,781.25 | $5,951.17 | $6,017.01 | $6,238.34 | $6,356.84 |
| E-6 | $4,858.94 | $4,942.64 | $5,003.46 | $5,074.94 | $5,074.94 | $5,074.94 | $5,074.94 |
| E-5 | $4,259.84 | $4,259.84 | $4,259.84 | $4,259.84 | $4,259.84 | $4,259.84 | $4,259.84 |
| E-4 | $3,341.28 | $3,341.28 | $3,341.28 | $3,341.28 | $3,341.28 | $3,341.28 | $3,341.28 |
| E-3 | $2,800.81 | $2,800.81 | $2,800.81 | $2,800.81 | $2,800.81 | $2,800.81 | $2,800.81 |
| E-2 | $2,362.85 | $2,362.85 | $2,362.85 | $2,362.85 | $2,362.85 | $2,362.85 | $2,362.85 |
| E-1 > 4 mos | $2,107.97 | $2,107.97 | $2,107.97 | $2,107.97 | $2,107.97 | $2,107.97 | $2,107.97 |
Enlisted Members with 26 to 40 Years of Service
| Pay Grade | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-9 | $8,928.48 | $8,928.48 | $9,373.96 | $9,373.96 | $9,843.27 | $9,843.27 | $10,336.41 | $10,336.41 |
| E-8 | $7,619.30 | $7,619.30 | $7,771.98 | $7,771.98 | $7,771.98 | $7,771.98 | $7,771.98 | $7,771.98 |
| E-7 | $6,808.91 | $6,808.91 | $6,808.91 | $6,808.91 | $6,808.91 | $6,808.91 | $6,808.91 | $6,808.91 |
| E-6 | $5,074.94 | $5,074.94 | $5,074.94 | $5,074.94 | $5,074.94 | $5,074.94 | $5,074.94 | $5,074.94 |
| E-5 | $4,259.84 | $4,259.84 | $4,259.84 | $4,259.84 | $4,259.84 | $4,259.84 | $4,259.84 | $4,259.84 |
| E-4 | $3,341.28 | $3,341.28 | $3,341.28 | $3,341.28 | $3,341.28 | $3,341.28 | $3,341.28 | $3,341.28 |
| E-3 | $2,800.81 | $2,800.81 | $2,800.81 | $2,800.81 | $2,800.81 | $2,800.81 | $2,800.81 | $2,800.81 |
| E-2 | $2,362.85 | $2,362.85 | $2,362.85 | $2,362.85 | $2,362.85 | $2,362.85 | $2,362.85 | $2,362.85 |
| E-1 | $2,107.97 | $2,107.97 | $2,107.97 | $2,107.97 | $2,107.97 | $2,107.97 | $2,107.97 | $2,107.97 |
Military Pay Dates?
Fortunately, the military follows a consistent pay schedule from year to year. Service members across all branches can look forward to their new pay rate going into effect on January 1, 2025. If approved, you’ll see a 4.5% pay increase on the first paycheck of the year.
Want a peek at exactly when you can expect your paycheck throughout the year? Here are the Military Pay Dates for Active-Duty Paychecks.
Previous Military Pay Raises
Defense Budget Battle
Earlier in the article, I mentioned that the White House and the HCAS agreed to raise military pay for all ranks by 4.5%. That is true, but the HCAS did counter the White House’s proposal with a plan for an additional 15% raise for junior enlisted servicemembers (E1-E4). It is part of a push to offer higher starting pay to increase recruitment to the military.
However, the White House seems unlikely to sign that for two reasons. The first is the cost of incorporating a 15% raise in base pay. The second reason is that the White House feared pay compression could lead to issues within the ranks, suggesting tension could possibly form if some higher-ranked uniformed members with more responsibility received similar pay to those with fewer years of service or a lower rank.
We’ll just need to wait and see what lawmakers come up with in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2025 (NDAA), known to most as the Defense spending bill.
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