Military Pay
2026 Military Pay Calculator
In 2026, all ranks received a 3.8% increase. The below military pay calculator allows you to see current, past and proposed military pay by pay grade, locati...
Active duty, National Guard and Reserve members get paid twice a month, typically on the 1st and 15th, unless either day falls on a holiday or weekend. Pay dates falling on a holiday or weekend get paid the last workday before the 1st or the 15th.
Leave and Earning Statements (LES)
Your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) is a detailed summary of your military pay and allowances. It shows what you earn, what gets deducted, any allotments (not used for Reserve and National Guard members), your leave balance, tax withholdings, and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) details.
Below are the military pay dates and LES release dates for 2026.
See 2026 military pay rates and charts here.
2026 Military Pay Dates
| 2026 Pay Period | Mid-Month Pay Day | LES Release Date* | End-of-Month Pay Day | LES Release Date* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Jan. 15 | Jan. 8 | Jan. 30 | Jan. 23 |
| February | Feb. 13 | Feb. 6 | Feb. 27 | Feb. 20 |
| March | Mar. 13 | Mar. 6 | Apr. 1 | Mar. 25 |
| April | Apr. 15 | Apr. 8 | May 1 | Apr. 24 |
| May | May 15 | May 8 | June 1 | May 25 |
| June | June 15 | June 8 | July 1 | June 24 |
| July | July 15 | July 8 | July 31 | July 24 |
| August | Aug. 14 | Aug. 7 | Sept 1. | Aug. 25 |
| September | Sept. 15 | Sept. 8 | Oct. 1 | Sept. 24 |
| October | Oct. 15 | Oct. 8 | Oct. 30 | Oct. 23 |
| November | Nov. 13 | Nov. 6 | Dec. 1 | Nov. 24 |
| December | Dec. 15 | Dec. 8 | Dec. 31 | Dec. 24 |
Direct Deposit
Think hard about where you get your military pay direct deposited. Certain banks and credit unions offer early direct deposit options that allow you to get access to your pay a day or two earlier than the official pay date. Examples of early direct deposit banks include Navy Federal, USAA, Service Credit Union, Pacific Marine Credit Union and Armed Forces Bank.
DFAS MyPay System
The DFAS MyPay system allows service members to access pay and tax statements, enroll in the Thrift Savings Plan, change or cancel TSP contributions and view travel advice updates. You can also view and print tax statements and travel vouchers, update your bank information and change tax withholdings.
The DFAS MyPay login is online at https://mypay.dfas.mil. The DFAS phone number is 888-332-7411, and select option 5 for MyPay.
The military pay dates are for all service branches: U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Space Force.
Start Here: $0 Down Payment VA Loan Eligibility
Your military benefits make homeownership more affordable—$0 down, no PMI, and lower average rates whether you’re buying or refinancing. See if you're eligible today.
-
Jon Rehagan is a 2-time Emmy Award-winning journalist who covers financial topics and military news for the veteran community. With 16 years in broadcast media (including roles in radio and television) Jon has spent his career writing, shooting, editing, and producing everything from long-form investigative specials to daily news broadcasts and digital content. His work has been recognized by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters, and he brings that same commitment to accurate, accessible reporting to helping service members, veterans, and military families navigate complex benefits and financial decisions.
-
Andrew Stamp served in U.S. Army special forces for more than 10 years and is currently pursuing his Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC).
