O-5 pay 2026
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
O-5 (Lieutenant Colonel · Commander) earns $7,295.40 a month in 2026 basic pay at entry and up to $12,394.80 with 40+ years of service, after the 3.8% January 2026 raise.
| Years of service | Monthly | Annual | Hourly equiv.* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 2 | $7,295.40 | $87,545 | $42.09 |
| Over 2 | $8,218.20 | $98,618 | $47.41 |
| Over 3 | $8,787.00 | $105,444 | $50.69 |
| Over 4 | $8,894.10 | $106,729 | $51.31 |
| Over 6 | $9,249.60 | $110,995 | $53.36 |
| Over 8 | $9,461.40 | $113,537 | $54.58 |
| Over 10 | $9,928.50 | $119,142 | $57.28 |
| Over 12 | $10,271.70 | $123,260 | $59.26 |
| Over 14 | $10,715.10 | $128,581 | $61.82 |
| Over 16 | $11,391.30 | $136,696 | $65.72 |
| Over 18 | $11,713.80 | $140,566 | $67.58 |
| Over 20 | $12,032.70 | $144,392 | $69.42 |
| Over 22 | $12,394.80 | $148,738 | $71.51 |
* Basic pay ÷ 2,080 hours, for comparison with civilian jobs. Rows repeat values until the next longevity raise; unchanged columns are hidden.
- Basic pay
- $7,295.40
- BAS (officer, tax-free)
- $328.48
- Federal income tax (estimate)
- −$869.15
- Social Security + Medicare
- −$558.10
- Estimated monthly take-home
- $6,196.63
- Mid-month / end-of-month pay
- $3,098.31
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-8 · E-9 · W-1 · W-2 · W-3 · W-4 · W-5 · O-1 · O-2 · O-3 · O-4 · O-6 · O-7 · O-8 · O-9 · O-10
Frequently asked questions
How much does an O-5 make in 2026?
$7,295.40 a month in basic pay with under 2 years of service, up to $12,394.80 at 40+ years. Most members also get tax-free BAS ($328.48/month) and BAH that depends on location.
What rank is O-5?
Lieutenant Colonel · Commander.
How much is O-5 pay after taxes?
About $6,196.63 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.