2024 Military Pay Raise: Military Members Receive a 5.2% Increase
Updated: August 11, 2023
Written by Jeff Ousley
Topping last year’s record pay raise of 4.6%, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2024 provides a 5.2% increase for military members across all branches.
The 2024 Department of Defense (DoD) Budget approved for military members to receive this raise, among other allowance increases. This 5.2% addition is expected to be a much-welcomed raise, with the cost of living rapidly increasing across the nation.
Use these 2024 military basic pay charts to discover precisely how much you can expect to receive next year!
How the 2024 Military Basic Pay Raise is Calculated
Military members receive non-taxable benefits for housing (BAH) and groceries (BAS), but it is the military basic pay that makes up the most significant portion of their income. Military Basic Pay Raises are calculated, proposed, and approved each year with great influence from the Employment Cost Index (ECI).
More About the Economic Cost Index (ECI)
The ECI measures the quarterly flow of the U.S. civilian workforce. As such, military basic pay raises are based on these updated numbers to ensure service members are being paid fairly and competitively.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics surveys employer payrolls each quarter, giving the government insight into the changes in pay rates across the nation. These statistics do not take into account various occupations or sectors; rather, it provides an overview of the U.S. cost of labor as a whole.
Interestingly, the ECI calculates yearly and quarterly percentage increases for three categories. This includes private industry workers, state and local government workers, and civilian workers. These statistics do not include some employment groups, such as social security and retired military members, among others.
Since 2003, federal law has stated that military basic pay raises will be calculated based on that year’s ECI. It’s important to note that military basic pay raises are negotiated and passed by Congress and approved with a final signature from the President, which signifies the passing of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
2024 Military Pay Increase Timeline:
- Winter/Spring 2023: The DOD released its 2024 budget proposal for Congressional Appropriations Committees to review.
- Spring/Summer 2024: Congressional Appropriations Committees evaluate the defense budget and propose any changes they want to see. Congress agrees upon a budget and passes it as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), awaiting a signature from President Biden.
- Fall/Winter 2024: If Congress presents the budget in time, the President signs the NDAA into law, which also includes the defense budget and military pay raise details. If Congress misses their October 1st deadline, they must pass a continuing resolution. This ensures the military operates on last year’s budget until the NDAA can be agreed upon and signed by the President.
Please note that 2024 military pay increases apply to all branches of the United States military. This includes the Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Air Force, Navy, Space Force, and Reserve forces.
Historical Military Pay Raises by Year
| Year | Military Pay Raise |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5.20% |
| 2023 | 4.60% |
| 2022 | 2.70% |
| 2021 | 3.00% |
| 2020 | 3.10% |
| 2019 | 2.60% |
| 2018 | 2.40% |
| 2017 | 2.10% |
| 2016 | 1.30% |
| 2015 | 1.00% |
| 2014 | 1.00% |
| 2013 | 1.70% |
| 2012 | 1.60% |
| 2011 | 1.40% |
| 2010 | 3.40% |
| 2009 | 3.90% |
| 2008 | 3.50% |
| 2007 * | 2.70% |
| 2006 | 3.10% |
| 2005 | 3.50% |
| 2004 * | 4.20% |
| 2003 * | 4.70% |
| 2002 * | 6.90% |
| 2001 | 4.10% |
| 2000 | 6.20% |
| 1999 | 3.60% |
| 1998 | 2.80% |
| 1997 | 3.00% |
| 1996 | 2.40% |
| 1995 | 2.60% |
| 1994 | 2.20% |
| 1993 | 3.70% |
| 1992 | 4.20% |
| 1991 | 4.10% |
| 1990 | 3.60% |
| 1989 | 4.10% |
| 1988 | 2.00% |
| 1987 | 3.00% |
| 1986 | 3.00% |
| 1985 | 4.00% |
| 1984 | 4.00% |
| 1983 | 4.00% |
| 1982 | 14.30% |
| 1981 | 11.70% |
| 1980 | 7.00% |
| 1979 | 5.50% |
| 1978 | 7.10% |
| 1977 | 4.80% |
| 1976 | 5.00% |
| 1975 | 5.52% |
| 1974 | 6.20% |
| 1973 | 6.70% |
| 1972 | 7.20% |
| 1971 | 7.90% |
| 1970 | 8.10% |
| 1969 | 12.60% |
| 1968 | 6.80% |
| 1967 | 5.60% |
| 1966 | 3.20% |
| 1965 | E: 11% O: 6% |
| 1964 | 2.5% - 8.5% |
| 1963 | 12.60% |
| 1962 | None |
