E-5 pay 2026
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
E-5 (Sergeant · Petty Officer 2nd Class · Staff Sergeant (USAF) · Sergeant (USMC)) earns $3,342.90 a month in 2026 basic pay at entry and up to $4,421.70 with 40+ years of service, after the 3.8% January 2026 raise.
| Years of service | Monthly | Annual | Hourly equiv.* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 2 | $3,342.90 | $40,115 | $19.29 |
| Over 2 | $3,598.20 | $43,178 | $20.76 |
| Over 3 | $3,775.80 | $45,310 | $21.78 |
| Over 4 | $3,946.80 | $47,362 | $22.77 |
| Over 6 | $4,110.00 | $49,320 | $23.71 |
| Over 8 | $4,299.90 | $51,599 | $24.81 |
| Over 10 | $4,395.30 | $52,744 | $25.36 |
| Over 12 | $4,421.70 | $53,060 | $25.51 |
* Basic pay ÷ 2,080 hours, for comparison with civilian jobs. Rows repeat values until the next longevity raise; unchanged columns are hidden.
- Basic pay
- $3,342.90
- BAS (enlisted, tax-free)
- $476.95
- Federal income tax (estimate)
- −$219.48
- Social Security + Medicare
- −$255.73
- Estimated monthly take-home
- $3,344.64
- Mid-month / end-of-month pay
- $1,672.32
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-3 · E-4 · 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-5 make in 2026?
$3,342.90 a month in basic pay with under 2 years of service, up to $4,421.70 at 40+ years. Most members also get tax-free BAS ($476.95/month) and BAH that depends on location.
What rank is E-5?
Sergeant · Petty Officer 2nd Class · Staff Sergeant (USAF) · Sergeant (USMC).
How much is E-5 pay after taxes?
About $3,344.64 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.