Army Pay Calculator 2026: Base Pay + BAH + BAS

🪖 Army Reserve & National Guard Drill Pay Calculator 2026

How much is one drill weekend? Army Reserve and National Guard members earn 1/30th of monthly base pay per drill (4 drills = 1 weekend). Example: An E-5 with 4 years earns ~$350 for a drill weekend. Select "Army Reserve" or "National Guard" in the calculator above to see your exact drill pay.

Annual Training Pay: 14 days of AT earns 14/30ths of monthly base pay. Use the calculator to estimate your total reserve pay including drill weekends and AT.

2026 Army Pay: Complete Guide to Base Pay, BAH, BAS & Special Pays

🎖️ Army Pay Components

Base Pay: Core salary based on rank and years of service (taxable)
BAH: Basic Allowance for Housing - tax-free, based on ZIP code & dependents
BAS: Basic Allowance for Subsistence - tax-free food allowance
Special Pays: Hazardous duty, combat pay, flight pay, jump pay
Bonuses: Enlistment, reenlistment, retention, and skill bonuses
COLA: Cost of Living Allowance for high-cost areas

📊 2026 Pay Raise Projections

E-1 (under 2 yrs): $2,100/month
E-4 (4 yrs): $3,100/month
E-7 (10 yrs): $5,200/month
O-1 (2 yrs): $4,050/month
O-3 (6 yrs): $6,800/month
O-5 (16 yrs): $11,000/month
BAH Increase: Projected 3-5% based on local housing costs

📐 2026 Army Pay Calculation Example

Example: E-5 with 4 years, married with 1 dependent, stationed at Fort Hood, TX (ZIP 76544).

Base Pay: $3,500/month (projected 2026 rate)

BAH: With dependents rate for Fort Hood: $2,100/month (tax-free)

BAS: $330/month (tax-free)

Total Monthly Pay: $3,500 + $2,100 + $330 = $5,930/month

Annual Total: $5,930 × 12 = $71,160/year (with $29,160 tax-free)

2026 BAH Rates by Major Duty Station

Duty Station	E-5 w/ Dependents	E-5 w/o Dependents	O-3 w/ Dependents
Fort Liberty (Bragg), NC	$2,100-2,400	$1,800-2,100	$2,500-2,800
Fort Hood, TX	$1,800-2,100	$1,500-1,800	$2,200-2,500
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA	$2,400-2,700	$2,100-2,400	$2,800-3,200
Fort Campbell, KY	$1,900-2,200	$1,600-1,900	$2,300-2,600
Fort Carson, CO	$2,200-2,500	$1,900-2,200	$2,600-3,000
Schofield Barracks, HI	$3,200-3,600	$2,800-3,200	$3,800-4,300
Fort Wainwright, AK	$2,800-3,200	$2,400-2,800	$3,400-3,900

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Army Pay

How much will the Army pay me in 2026?

Army pay depends on your rank and years of service. For 2026, E-1 with less than 2 years: ~$2,100/month base pay. E-5 with 4 years: ~$3,500/month. O-3 with 6 years: ~$6,500/month. Plus BAH (housing), BAS (food), and special pays. Use our calculator above for your exact estimate.

What is BAH and how is it calculated?

BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is tax-free housing allowance based on your duty station ZIP code, rank, and dependency status. For example, an E-5 with dependents in San Diego gets ~$3,400/month, while same rank in Fort Hood gets ~$2,000/month. Enter your ZIP code in the calculator for exact BAH.

Does this calculator include BAS (food allowance)?

Yes! BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) is automatically included: $330/month for enlisted, $255/month for officers (2026 projected rates). This tax-free allowance is for meals, and our calculator adds it to your total compensation automatically.

Can I calculate Reserve or National Guard pay?

Absolutely! Select 'Army Reserve' or 'National Guard' in the service type dropdown. The calculator automatically adjusts for drill pay (typically 4 drills per month at 1/30 of monthly base pay each), Annual Training pay, and BAH Type II when activated.

What is drill pay for Army Reserve?

Drill pay is 1/30th of monthly base pay per drill. A typical drill weekend has 4 drills. For example, an E-5 with 4 years earns ~$350 for one weekend. Select 'Army Reserve' in the calculator above for your exact drill pay.

What's the difference between BAH with and without dependents?

BAH With Dependents is higher for service members with legal dependents (spouse, children). BAH Without Dependents is lower for single members. The difference can be $300-$800/month depending on location. Our calculator automatically selects the correct rate based on your dependents and marital status.

How accurate is this Army pay calculator for 2026?

Our calculator uses DoD historical data and 2026 pay raise projections (typically 2-5% annual increase). While official 2026 rates aren't final until late 2025, our estimates are within 1-2% of expected actual rates. Used by 50,000+ service members for career planning.

⚠️ Military Pay Disclaimer (Updated April 6, 2026)

Planning Tool Only: This army pay calculator 2026 provides estimates based on historical Department of Defense data and projected trends. Official 2026 military pay rates, BAH rates, and special pays will be determined by Congress and implemented by the Department of Defense.

Official Sources: For accurate, official pay information, always consult: 1) Your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), 2) Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) at www.dfas.mil, 3) Your unit finance office, or 4) Official DoD pay tables.

Individual Variations: Actual pay may vary based on: Individual tax situation, state tax laws, specific duty location adjustments, exact time-in-service calculations, and individual eligibility for specific allowances or bonuses.

Last Update: April 6, 2026 | Next Review: July 1, 2026

Army Pay Calculator 2026: Calculate Your Base Pay + BAH + BAS