Base pay, BAH, BAS, bonuses, and unique situations for all 6 U.S. military branches.
All six branches use the same DoD basic pay tables with a 3.8% raise in 2026. The differences are in specialty pays, bonuses, retirement, unique duty situations, and which appropriations bill funds each branch. Select a branch to see the full guide.
The only branch funded under DHS, not DoD. Unique shutdown pay risks, CGMA emergency assistance, sea pay, special duty pay, assignment pay, and Coast Guard-specific situations.
⭐Youngest branch with the most aggressive bonus structure. Guardian base pay, SRBs up to $360K, FY2026 enlistment bonus expansion, space ops incentive pay, and unique duty situations.
👪Base pay, BAH, BAS, combat/hazardous duty pay, airborne and special forces bonuses, warrant officer pay, and National Guard/Reserve drill pay for the largest U.S. military branch.
⚓Base pay plus Navy-specific entitlements: sea pay, submarine duty incentive pay (SDIP), nuclear pay, dive pay, flight pay, and duty-at-sea pay premiums.
✈Base pay plus Air Force specialty pays: aviation career incentive pay (ACIP), remotely piloted aircraft pay, cyber bonuses, nuclear duty pay, and the FY2026 enlistment bonus expansion.
🏆Marine base pay, BAH, BAS, combat incentive pays, special operations pay for Recon and Raiders, dive pay, aviation pay, and Reserve/Force Reserve drill pay.
| Branch | Funded By | Shutdown Pay Risk | Notable Bonus | Sea/Flight Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Army | DoD | Low | Airborne, Special Forces SRB | Flight pay (aviators) |
| Navy | DoD | Low | Nuclear, Sub (SDIP) | Sea pay + SDIP |
| Air Force | DoD | Low | ACIP, Cyber SRB | ACIP (aviation) |
| Marine Corps | DoD | Low | MARSOC, Recon SRB | Flight pay (aviators) |
| Coast Guard | DHS | HIGH — DHS lapse | SDP, Assignment Pay | Career Sea Pay (CSP) |
| Space Force | DoD (AF line) | Low | SRB up to $360K | N/A (limited aviation) |
Regardless of branch, every active duty service member in 2026 receives the same base pay for their grade and years of service. The 3.8% pay raise effective January 1, 2026 applies equally to E-1 through O-10 in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force.
BAH, BAS, TSP matching (under BRS), TRICARE healthcare, and access to commissaries and exchanges are standardized across all branches. The DoD military pay tables are the foundation for every branch's compensation.
The differences that matter: which branch you're in determines what special pays and bonuses you're eligible for, where you'll likely be stationed (affecting BAH), what retirement track you're on, and in the Coast Guard's case, who writes your paycheck — DoD or DHS.