E-3 pay 2026
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
E-3 (Private First Class · Seaman · Airman First Class · Lance Corporal) earns $2,836.80 a month in 2026 basic pay at entry and up to $3,198.00 with 40+ years of service, after the 3.8% January 2026 raise.
| Years of service | Monthly | Annual | Hourly equiv.* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 2 | $2,836.80 | $34,042 | $16.37 |
| Over 2 | $3,015.00 | $36,180 | $17.39 |
| Over 3 | $3,198.00 | $38,376 | $18.45 |
* Basic pay ÷ 2,080 hours, for comparison with civilian jobs. Rows repeat values until the next longevity raise; unchanged columns are hidden.
- Basic pay
- $2,836.80
- BAS (enlisted, tax-free)
- $476.95
- Federal income tax (estimate)
- −$158.75
- Social Security + Medicare
- −$217.02
- Estimated monthly take-home
- $2,937.99
- Mid-month / end-of-month pay
- $1,468.99
2026 basic pay (+3.8% from 2025, DFAS). State tax not included — many states exempt active-duty pay. Excludes SGLI, TSP and special pays.
Other pay grades
E-1 · E-2 · E-4 · E-5 · E-6 · E-7 · E-8 · E-9 · W-1 · W-2 · W-3 · W-4 · W-5 · O-1 · O-2 · O-3 · O-4 · O-5 · O-6 · O-7 · O-8 · O-9 · O-10
Frequently asked questions
How much does an E-3 make in 2026?
$2,836.80 a month in basic pay with under 2 years of service, up to $3,198.00 at 40+ years. Most members also get tax-free BAS ($476.95/month) and BAH that depends on location.
What rank is E-3?
Private First Class · Seaman · Airman First Class · Lance Corporal.
How much is E-3 pay after taxes?
About $2,937.99 a month with BAS (single, no BAH, under 2 years), before SGLI, TSP and state tax.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.