W-3 pay 2026
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
W-3 (Chief Warrant Officer 3) earns $5,223.30 a month in 2026 basic pay at entry and up to $9,162.60 with 40+ years of service, after the 3.8% January 2026 raise.
| Years of service | Monthly | Annual | Hourly equiv.* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 2 | $5,223.30 | $62,680 | $30.13 |
| Over 2 | $5,440.50 | $65,286 | $31.39 |
| Over 3 | $5,664.30 | $67,972 | $32.68 |
| Over 4 | $5,736.90 | $68,843 | $33.10 |
| Over 6 | $5,970.90 | $71,651 | $34.45 |
| Over 8 | $6,431.10 | $77,173 | $37.10 |
| Over 10 | $6,910.50 | $82,926 | $39.87 |
| Over 12 | $7,136.40 | $85,637 | $41.17 |
| Over 14 | $7,397.70 | $88,772 | $42.68 |
| Over 16 | $7,665.90 | $91,991 | $44.23 |
| Over 18 | $8,150.40 | $97,805 | $47.02 |
| Over 20 | $8,476.50 | $101,718 | $48.90 |
| Over 22 | $8,671.80 | $104,062 | $50.03 |
| Over 24 | $8,879.70 | $106,556 | $51.23 |
| Over 26 | $9,162.60 | $109,951 | $52.86 |
* Basic pay ÷ 2,080 hours, for comparison with civilian jobs. Rows repeat values until the next longevity raise; unchanged columns are hidden.
- Basic pay
- $5,223.30
- BAS (officer, tax-free)
- $328.48
- Federal income tax (estimate)
- −$445.13
- Social Security + Medicare
- −$399.58
- Estimated monthly take-home
- $4,707.07
- Mid-month / end-of-month pay
- $2,353.53
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-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 W-3 make in 2026?
$5,223.30 a month in basic pay with under 2 years of service, up to $9,162.60 at 40+ years. Most members also get tax-free BAS ($328.48/month) and BAH that depends on location.
What rank is W-3?
Chief Warrant Officer 3.
How much is W-3 pay after taxes?
About $4,707.07 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.