2026 enlisted member basic pay
E-4 Pay Chart 2026
Published E-4 basic pay ranges from $3,142.20 to $3,815.40 per month across applicable service brackets.
E-4 basic pay runs from $3,142.20/month to $3,815.40/month before allowances, special pays, taxes and deductions.
2026 E-4 monthly and annual basic pay
| Years of service | Monthly | Annual | Typical four-drill weekend* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 or less | $3,142.20 | $37,706.40 | $418.96 |
| Over 2 | $3,303.00 | $39,636.00 | $440.40 |
| Over 3 | $3,482.40 | $41,788.80 | $464.32 |
| Over 4 | $3,658.50 | $43,902.00 | $487.80 |
| Over 6 | $3,815.40 | $45,784.80 | $508.72 |
*Four drill periods at one-thirtieth of monthly basic pay per period. Actual reserve pay depends on the number and type of periods performed. Repeated longevity rates are consolidated.
Quick E-4 pay answers
How E-4 pay changes with years of service
The 2026 table contains 5 distinct published E-4 rates. From the first applicable amount to the maximum, monthly basic pay increases by $673.20, or about 21%. The top published amount annualizes to $45,784.80 before any other compensation.
Longevity increases are not annual raises. The rate changes only when the member enters a service bracket with a higher published amount. The relevant bracket is based on creditable service—not simply time spent in the current grade—and repeated amounts in later columns have been consolidated in the table above.
Compare E-4 with nearby pay grades
These figures compare each grade’s first applicable published rate and maximum rate. They do not imply an automatic promotion timeline, and starting brackets can differ for senior or prior-service grades.
| Pay grade | First applicable bracket | Starting monthly | Maximum monthly | Maximum annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-3 | 2 or less | $2,836.80 | $3,198.00 | $38,376.00 |
| E-4Current page | 2 or less | $3,142.20 | $3,815.40 | $45,784.80 |
| E-5 | 2 or less | $3,342.90 | $4,421.70 | $53,060.40 |
What is added to E-4 basic pay?
Basic pay is only one part of military compensation. Eligible BAH is based on duty location, grade and dependency category. BAS uses the current officer or enlisted rate rather than years of service. Assignment, qualification and duty conditions can add special or incentive pays.
Those additions should not be treated as one taxable salary figure. BAH and BAS are generally treated differently from basic pay for federal tax purposes, while many bonuses and special pays are taxable unless a specific exclusion applies. Taxes, TSP elections, insurance, allotments and debts then affect the amount deposited.
Estimate basic pay, BAS and BAH together →
Common E-4 pay questions
How much does E-4 make per year in 2026?
Annualized basic pay ranges from $37,706.40 to $45,784.80, depending on the applicable creditable-service bracket. That is 12 times monthly basic pay and excludes allowances and special pays.
Is E-4 pay the same in every service branch?
Yes. Rank names can differ, but the statutory basic-pay table uses pay grade and creditable years of service. A E-4 in the same service bracket uses the same published basic-pay amount across the uniformed services.
What is a four-drill weekend worth for E-4?
The chart above shows an estimate for each applicable bracket using four drill periods at one-thirtieth of monthly basic pay per period. Actual reserve compensation depends on the duty performed, number of periods, eligibility and deductions.
Why is my deposit less than the amount in this chart?
The table shows gross monthly basic pay, not take-home pay. A typical deposit reflects only part of the month and can be reduced by tax withholding, TSP contributions, insurance, allotments, debts and other deductions shown on the LES.
Do BAH and BAS appear in this E-4 chart?
No. BAH, BAS and special pays are separate entitlements. Use the total-compensation calculator to combine estimates, then use the LES as the authoritative record of what was paid.
Important E-4 notes
Rank titles differ by service, but the E-4 basic-pay table is the same across the uniformed services.
The E-4 table reaches its maximum rate at the Over 6 bracket. Later service columns repeat the same amount, so they are omitted here.