E-8 pay 2026
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
E-8 (Master Sergeant / First Sergeant · Senior Chief · Senior Master Sergeant · Master Sergeant) earns $5,656.50 a month in 2026 basic pay at entry and up to $8,067.30 with 40+ years of service, after the 3.8% January 2026 raise.
| Years of service | Monthly | Annual | Hourly equiv.* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 8 | $5,656.50 | $67,878 | $32.63 |
| Over 10 | $5,907.00 | $70,884 | $34.08 |
| Over 12 | $6,061.80 | $72,742 | $34.97 |
| Over 14 | $6,247.20 | $74,966 | $36.04 |
| Over 16 | $6,448.20 | $77,378 | $37.20 |
| Over 18 | $6,811.20 | $81,734 | $39.30 |
| Over 20 | $6,995.40 | $83,945 | $40.36 |
| Over 22 | $7,308.30 | $87,700 | $42.16 |
| Over 24 | $7,481.70 | $89,780 | $43.16 |
| Over 26 | $7,908.90 | $94,907 | $45.63 |
| Over 30 | $8,067.30 | $96,808 | $46.54 |
* Basic pay ÷ 2,080 hours, for comparison with civilian jobs. Rows repeat values until the next longevity raise; unchanged columns are hidden.
- Basic pay
- $5,656.50
- BAS (enlisted, tax-free)
- $476.95
- Federal income tax (estimate)
- −$508.60
- Social Security + Medicare
- −$432.72
- Estimated monthly take-home
- $5,192.13
- Mid-month / end-of-month pay
- $2,596.07
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-5 · E-6 · E-7 · 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-8 make in 2026?
$5,656.50 a month in basic pay with over 8 years of service, up to $8,067.30 at 40+ years. Most members also get tax-free BAS ($476.95/month) and BAH that depends on location.
What rank is E-8?
Master Sergeant / First Sergeant · Senior Chief · Senior Master Sergeant · Master Sergeant.
How much is E-8 pay after taxes?
About $5,192.13 a month with BAS (single, no BAH, 8 years), before SGLI, TSP and state tax.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.