Af 2026 Pay Chart: What Future Air Force Members Need to Know
If you are thinking about joining the US military in 2025, then you will want to know how much money you will be making. In this article we break down the Af 2026 Pay Chart, explain the new figures, and show how the upcoming changes affect enlisted airmen and officers.
The official 2026 pay tables
The Department of Defense releases the official pay tables each January. For 2026 the Air Force (AF) receives a modest increase across all ranks, reflecting inflation adjustments and budget allocations. The base pay for an E‑1 (airman basic) rises from $1,917.60 per month in 2025 to $1,946.40 in 2026, while a O‑3 (captain) sees monthly base pay climb from $5,938.20 to $6,018.00.
How the Af 2026 Pay Chart is organized
The chart is divided into two main sections: enlisted ranks (E‑1 through E‑9) and officer grades (O‑1 through O‑10). Each rank lists a monthly base pay amount and an annual total. Below the tables, supplemental pay items such as housing allowance, cost‑of‑living adjustments, and special duty pay are detailed.
New base pay figures
- E‑1: $1,946.40 per month
- E-3: $2,263.20 per month
- E-5: $2,896.10 per month
- E-7: $3,642.90 per month
- E-9: $5,349.30 per month
- O‑1: $3,637.20 per month
- O‑2: $4,226.20 per month
- O‑3: $6,018.00 per month
- O‑4: $7,292.70 per month
- O‑5: $8,613.90 per month
These numbers are the core of the Af 2026 Pay Chart and form the baseline for all other compensation.
Big updates are coming to military allowances
Starting in 2026 the Department of Defense will adjust the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
