To the courageous men and women who serve the United States in uniform, pay is much more than a salary-it is recognition of their sacrifice, service, and dedication.
And in 2025, the military will be operating under a new military pay chart — and that change will bring with it a small yet meaningful raise.
Whether you are on active-duty, a military spouse planning your family’s finances, or just want to know how soldiers are compensated, this guide to military pay in 2025 will provide you with what you need to know.
Here is a closer look at the changes in 2025?
Even that amount, however, fell short of pay boosts that have occurred in years past; soldiers saw a 4.5% base pay increase this year in a series of known pay raises designed to keep pace with inflation and cost-of-living adjustments.
It is a component of a broader federal push to prevent service members from falling behind as prices for housing, food, fuel and child care continue to rise.
Here’s the bright side: Whether you’re a new recruit or a decades-long officer, there is something in this pay raise for everyone.
Monthly Base Pay 2025 Pay Monthly Breakdown
Let’s simplify it. Here are some highlights of the active-duty paybased on the 2025 fiscal year.
This list does not include bonuses, BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) or BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) or other special pays (hazard duty, etc.)
Rank Pay Grade Years of Service Monthly Base Pay (2025)
E-1 Less than 2 years $2,020
E-4 Over 2 years $2,845
E-6 Over 6 years $3,985
E-9 Over 20 years $6,982
O-1 Less than 2 years $3,826
O-3 Over 4 years $6,556
O-5 Over 10 years $9,210
O-7 (Brig. Gen.) MORE THAN 20 YEARS $13,785
🔹 These are the base pay only, Keep in mind. Most service members make more with extra allowances and bonuses depending on location, rank and job.
How Does It Benefit Military Families?
For a lot of military families, budgeting can seem like piecing together a puzzle while wearing a blindfold. Frequent moves, deployments and fluctuating living costs are all factors. This year’s rise isn’t only about numbers — it’s about stability.
The pay raise means a few hundred dollars more a year for junior enlisted members, money that can go toward groceries, gas or school supplies for kids.
For senior NCOs and officers, it might help with retirement contributions or defray escalating housing costs in high-COLA regions.
The measure may hit hardest at so-called dual military families, where both spouses would get the raise.
In short, this is not merely symbolic. And it actually makes a difference on the ground.”
Pros and Cons of the 2025 Military Pay Scale
Pros Cons
✅ Annual pay raise is kept at pace with inflation❌ Still trails some civilian counterparts
✅ Clear tiers aid financial planning ❌ Bonuses & benefits depends on location and role
✅ Helps attract and retain enlisted personnel ❌ Enlisted with dependents still start at low pay.setTextColor: #454545; font-family: “Open Sans”, sans-serif;”>The downside (Why it reminds us of a deck of cards)
✅ Encourages recruiting in every service ❌ Doesn’t fully address spiraling cost of military housing
What If I’m a Reservist or National Guard Member?
Reservists would also see the same increase in drill pay, which is computed differently but also is based on the active-duty pay chart.
A typical E-5, for example, earns about $140 per drill (a four-hour period) — or about $560 per weekend. Not life-altering, but it accumulates over the course of a year — especially with more training cycles on tap for 2025.
US Military Pay Chart is released in June 2025
Military service is no easy life — and while no paycheck will ever make up for the sleepless nights, lost birthdays, or years far away from home, every bit helps.
A 2025 military pay chart isn’t going to solve all problems, but it’s a good start toward giving our service members what they deserve, both the respect and the means to support themselves while bearing the responsibility for our security.
So if you wear the uniform, or if you cheer for someone who does, here’s the big idea: Your service is important, and it is being acknowledged — dollar by dollar.
