Military pay is structured by rank, years of service, and branch, with base pay deposited monthly to a bank account you choose

The Department of Defense pays active-duty service members through the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). Your pay consists of base pay (determined by your rank and time in service) plus allowances for housing, food, and other costs. The military does not pay in cash or by check — all compensation goes to a bank account you set up when you enlist or commission.

Pay dates are the 1st and 15th of each month for all branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard. If a pay date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the deposit arrives on the last business day before that date. You can view your pay stub, tax documents, and account details through myPay, the DFAS self-service portal that all service members can access online.

Key Takeaways

  • Base pay depends on your rank and how many years you have served, and increases automatically on January 1 each year if Congress approves a raise.
  • Housing allowance (BAH) and food allowance (BAS) are added to base pay and vary by location, rank, and family status.
  • Special pay, hazard pay, and bonuses are added for certain jobs, locations, or service commitments and are listed separately on your pay stub.
  • All military pay is deposited to a bank account of your choice; you set this up during basic training or when you commission.
  • You can check your pay, change your bank account, and read tax forms through myPay without contacting anyone.

Base pay by rank and years of service

Base pay is the foundation of military compensation. It depends on two things: your rank and how long you have served. A private with less than two years of service earns less than a private with four years of service. A sergeant with six years of service earns more than a sergeant with two years of service. The military publishes a pay table each year showing the exact base pay for every rank and year combination.

Congress sets military pay raises, which take effect on January 1 each year if approved. The raise applies to all service members regardless of rank. For example, if Congress approves a 3 percent raise, a private earning $1,800 per month would earn $1,854 the next January, and a major earning $5,000 per month would earn $5,150. You do not have to do anything to receive the raise — it happens automatically.

Base pay is the same across all branches for the same rank and years of service. An Army sergeant with eight years of service earns the same base pay as a Navy sergeant with eight years of service. However, allowances (housing, food, and others) may differ by branch or location.

Housing and food allowances

On top of base pay, the military adds a housing allowance (called BAH, or Basic Allowance for Housing) and a food allowance (called BAS, or Basic Allowance for Subsistence). These are not taxed as income, which makes them valuable beyond their dollar amount.

BAH varies by location and rank. A soldier stationed in San Francisco receives more BAH than a soldier stationed in rural Kansas, because housing costs are higher in San Francisco. BAH also depends on whether you have dependents — a married soldier or a soldier with children receives more than a single soldier at the same rank and location. If you live in military housing on base, you do not receive BAH; the military provides the housing instead.

BAS is the same for all service members of the same rank, regardless of location or family status. It is meant to cover the cost of meals. If you eat in a military dining facility (called a chow hall or galley), the cost is deducted from your BAS. If you buy your own food, you keep the full amount.

Special pay, hazard pay, and bonuses

Beyond base pay and allowances, the military adds compensation for specific situations. Hazard pay is added when you are in a combat zone or exposed to hostile fire. Special pay is added for certain jobs — for example, pilots, divers, and linguists receive extra pay because their skills are in demand or their work is dangerous. Bonuses are one-time or multi-year payments for signing up, reenlisting, or extending your service.

These payments appear as separate line items on your pay stub. They are taxed differently than base pay — some are taxed as regular income, and some have special tax treatment. If you receive a bonus, DFAS will withhold taxes based on the amount, and you may owe more or less when you file your tax return.

Hazard pay, special pay, and bonuses are not may provide and depend on your assignment, rank, and the needs of your branch. You can ask your personnel office or your chain of command whether you are may have access to to any of these payments.

How to set up and change your bank account

When you enter the military, you must provide a bank account for your pay to be deposited. You can use any bank or credit union in the United States. During basic training, you will be given time to open an account if you do not have one, or you can provide the details of an existing account.

If you want to change your bank account later, you do this through myPay. Log in, go to the "Pay" section, and select "Direct Deposit." You will enter your new bank's routing number and your new account number. The change usually takes effect within one or two pay periods. Do not close your old account until you confirm that your pay has been deposited to the new account.

Some service members use military-specific banks or credit unions, which offer accounts designed for military pay schedules and often have no fees. Others use their hometown bank. The choice is yours, and you can change it whenever you need to.

Taxes and pay stubs

Military pay is subject to federal income tax, Social Security tax, and Medicare tax, just like civilian pay. State income tax is withheld based on your state of residence, which you declare when you enlist. You can change your state of residence for tax purposes through myPay if you move or if your home state has no income tax.

Your pay stub shows your gross pay (base pay plus allowances and special pay), all deductions (taxes, health insurance, Thrift Savings Plan contributions, and others), and your net pay (what you actually receive). You can read your pay stub from myPay for any month. At the end of the year, DFAS sends you a W-2 form showing your total income and taxes withheld, which you use to file your tax return.

Some military pay is not taxed. BAH and BAS are not federal income tax, though they are subject to Social Security and Medicare tax. Hazard pay in a combat zone has special tax treatment and may be partially or fully excluded from federal income tax, depending on the month and your rank.

What happens to your pay if you are deployed or transferred

If you are deployed overseas, your pay continues on the same schedule — the 1st and 15th of each month. Your bank account remains the same unless you change it. Some service members deployed to combat zones receive hazard pay, which is added to their regular pay.

If you are transferred to a new duty station, your BAH may change because it is based on location. Your new BAH takes effect on the date of your transfer. DFAS updates this automatically based on your personnel records, so you do not have to request it. If there is a delay or error, you can contact your finance office or use myPay to verify your current BAH.

If you are on leave (vacation), your pay does not change — you are still paid your full base pay and allowances. If you are on unpaid leave or suspended from duty pending an investigation, your pay may be reduced or stopped. Your chain of command will inform you of any changes to your pay status.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not receive my pay on payday?

First, check myPay to confirm that your bank account information is correct and that DFAS shows the payment as processed. If the payment was processed but has not arrived at your bank, contact your bank — sometimes deposits take an extra day. If DFAS shows no payment processed, contact your finance office or your unit's personnel sergeant when ready, as there may be a payroll error.

Can I get paid more often than twice a month?

No. The military pays all service members on the 1st and 15th of each month. You cannot request weekly or bi-weekly pay. However, some banks and credit unions offer early access to direct deposits, meaning you may see your pay in your account a day or two before the official pay date.

What happens to my pay if I am court-martialed or face disciplinary action?

If you are found guilty at court-martial, the military can reduce your rank, which lowers your base pay going forward. If you are suspended from duty or confined, your pay may be stopped or reduced. Your chain of command and the judge advocate general (JAG) officer handling your case will explain how any punishment affects your pay.

Can I have my pay sent to multiple accounts?

No. DFAS deposits your entire pay to one account. However, once the money is in your account, you can transfer it to other accounts yourself, or you can set up automatic transfers through your bank.

Do I have to pay back a bonus if I leave the military early?

It depends on the terms of the bonus and how early you leave. Some bonuses are paid in full upfront and do not have to be repaid. Others are paid over time and may require repayment if you separate before your service commitment ends. Your enlistment contract or bonus agreement will state the repayment terms. Ask your personnel office to explain your specific bonus before you sign.