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Military Pay Charts 2021 [updated]

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2021 Military Pay Charts with Proposed Pay Raise and NDAA Latest

The latest Military Pay Charts for 2021.

The 2020 military pay raise was 3.1%.  Earlier in 2020, the US Department of Defense released a statement on the 2021 proposed military pay raise. President Donald J. Trump had requested $705.4 billion to fund the Defense Department.  The Department of Defense had asked for a 3% pay raise as well as for increases to housing and subsistence allowance.  Find the 2021 proposed military pay charts below.

Here’s a peek ahead at the 2022 military pay raise.  In order to view the 2022 estimated military pay charts, please go here.  While not yet official, these are estimated based on the Employment Cost Index (ECI).

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By Paygrade

The military pay raise can be highly debated each year, but it isn’t as simple as the President or Congress picking a number. The pay raise is tied to the ECI (US Employment Cost Index) that is put out by the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

2021 Military Pay Charts (3.0% increase from 2020)

 

Enlisted: E-1 – E-3

2021 Pay Charts

YearsE-1E-2E-3
< 2$1,785$2,001$2,104
Over 2$1,785$2,001$2,236
Over 3$1,785$2,001$2,372
Over 4$1,785$2,001$2,372
Over 6$1,785$2,001$2,372
Over 8$1,785$2,001$2,372
Over 10$1,785$2,001$2,372
Over 12$1,785$2,001$2,372
Over 14$1,785$2,001$2,372
Over 16$1,785$2,001$2,372
Over 18$1,785$2,001$2,372
Over 20$1,785$2,001$2,372
Over 22$1,785$2,001$2,372
Over 24$1,785$2,001$2,372
Over 26$1,785$2,001$2,372
Over 28$1,785$2,001$2,372
Over 30$1,785$2,001$2,372
Over 32$1,785$2,001$2,372
Over 34$1,785$2,001$2,372
Over 36$1,785$2,001$2,372
Over 38$1,785$2,001$2,372
Over 40$1,785$2,001$2,372

 

Enlisted: E-4 – E-6

2021 Pay Charts

YearsE-4E-5E-6
< 2$2,393$2,610$2,849
Over 2$2,516$2,786$3,136
Over 3$2,652$2,921$3,274
Over 4$2,787$3,059$3,409
Over 6$2,906$3,273$3,549
Over 8$2,906$3,498$3,864
Over 10$2,906$3,682$3,988
Over 12$2,906$3,704$4,226
Over 14$2,906$3,704$4,298
Over 16$2,906$3,704$4,351
Over 18$2,906$3,704$4,413
Over 20$2,906$3,704$4,413
Over 22$2,906$3,704$4,413
Over 24$2,906$3,704$4,413
Over 26$2,906$3,704$4,413
Over 28$2,906$3,704$4,413
Over 30$2,906$3,704$4,413
Over 32$2,906$3,704$4,413
Over 34$2,906$3,704$4,413
Over 36$2,906$3,704$4,413
Over 38$2,906$3,704$4,413
Over 40$2,906$3,704$4,413

Senior Enlisted: E-7 – E-9

2021 Pay Charts

YearsE-7E-8E-9
< 2$3,208
Over 2$3,501
Over 3$3,635
Over 4$3,812
Over 6$3,951
Over 8$4,190$4,615
Over 10$4,324$4,819$5,637
Over 12$4,562$4,945$5,765
Over 14$4,760$5,096$5,926
Over 16$4,895$5,261$6,115
Over 18$5,039$5,556$6,307
Over 20$5,095$5,706$6,612
Over 22$5,282$5,962$6,872
Over 24$5,383$6,104$7,143
Over 26$5,765$6,452$7,560
Over 28$5,765$6,452$7,560
Over 30$5,765$6,581$7,938
Over 32$5,765$6,581$7,938
Over 34$5,765$6,581$8,335
Over 36$5,765$6,581$8,335
Over 38$5,765$6,581$8,753
Over 40$5,765$6,581$8,753

Warrant Officers:  W-1 – W-3

2021 Pay Charts

Pay GradeW-1W-2W-3
< 2$3,309$3,770$4,261
Over 2$3,666$4,127$4,439
Over 3$3,761$4,237$4,621
Over 4$3,964$4,312$4,680
Over 6$4,203$4,557$4,871
Over 8$4,556$4,937$5,246
Over 10$4,720$5,125$5,637
Over 12$4,951$5,310$5,822
Over 14$5,177$5,537$6,035
Over 16$5,356$5,714$6,254
Over 18$5,519$5,875$6,649
Over 20$5,719$6,067$6,915
Over 22$5,719$6,193$7,074
Over 24$5,719$6,293$7,244
Over 26$5,719$6,293$7,475
Over 28$5,719$6,293$7,475
Over 30$5,719$6,293$7,475
Over 32$5,719$6,293$7,475
Over 34$5,719$6,293$7,475
Over 36$5,719$6,293$7,475
Over 38$5,719$6,293$7,475
Over 40$5,719$6,293$7,475

 

Warrant Officers:  W-4 – W-5

2021 Pay Charts

YearsW-4W-5
< 2$4,6660
Over 2$5,0190
Over 3$5,1630
Over 4$5,3050
Over 6$5,5490
Over 8$5,7900
Over 10$6,0350
Over 12$6,4030
Over 14$6,7250
Over 16$7,0320
Over 18$7,2830
Over 20$7,529$8,296
Over 22$7,888$8,717
Over 24$8,184$9,031
Over 26$8,521$9,377
Over 28$8,521$9,377
Over 30$8,691$9,847
Over 32$8,691$9,847
Over 34$8,691$10,339
Over 36$8,691$10,339
Over 38$8,691$10,856
Over 40$8,691$10,856

 

Commissioned Officers: O-1E – O3E (w/ Prior Enlisted Experience)

2021 Pay Charts

YearsO-1EO-2EO-3E
< 2
Over 2
Over 3
Over 4$4,261$5,290$6,023
Over 6$4,550$5,399$6,312
Over 8$4,718$5,570$6,628
Over 10$4,890$5,861$6,833
Over 12$5,058$6,085$7,169
Over 14$5,290$6,252$7,454
Over 16$5,290$6,252$7,617
Over 18$5,290$6,252$7,839
Over 20$5,290$6,252$7,839
Over 22$5,290$6,252$7,839
Over 24$5,290$6,252$7,839
Over 26$5,290$6,252$7,839
Over 28$5,290$6,252$7,839
Over 30$5,290$6,252$7,839
Over 32$5,290$6,252$7,839
Over 34$5,290$6,252$7,839
Over 36$5,290$6,252$7,839
Over 38$5,290$6,252$7,839
Over 40$5,290$6,252$7,839

Commissioned Officers: O-1 – O-3

2021 Pay Charts

YearsO-1O-2O-3
< 2$3,386$3,901$4,515
Over 2$3,524$4,443$5,118
Over 3$4,260$5,117$5,523
Over 4$4,260$5,290$6,023
Over 6$4,260$5,399$6,312
Over 8$4,260$5,399$6,628
Over 10$4,260$5,399$6,833
Over 12$4,260$5,399$7,169
Over 14$4,260$5,399$7,345
Over 16$4,260$5,399$7,345
Over 18$4,260$5,399$7,345
Over 20$4,260$5,399$7,345
Over 22$4,260$5,399$7,345
Over 24$4,260$5,399$7,345
Over 26$4,260$5,399$7,345
Over 28$4,260$5,399$7,345
Over 30$4,260$5,399$7,345
Over 32$4,260$5,399$7,345
Over 34$4,260$5,399$7,345
Over 36$4,260$5,399$7,345
Over 38$4,260$5,399$7,345
Over 40$4,260$5,399$7,345

 

Commissioned Officers: O-4 – O6

2021 Pay Charts

YearsO-4O-5O-6
< 2$5,135$5,951$7,139
Over 2$5,944$6,704$7,843
Over 3$6,341$7,168$8,358
Over 4$6,429$7,256$8,358
Over 6$6,797$7,545$8,390
Over 8$7,192$7,719$8,749
Over 10$7,684$8,100$8,797
Over 12$8,067$8,379$8,797
Over 14$8,332$8,741$9,297
Over 16$8,485$9,293$10,181
Over 18$8,574$9,556$10,699
Over 20$8,574$9,816$11,218
Over 22$8,574$10,111$11,513
Over 24$8,574$10,111$11,812
Over 26$8,574$10,111$12,391
Over 28$8,574$10,111$12,391
Over 30$8,574$10,111$12,638
Over 32$8,574$10,111$12,638
Over 34$8,574$10,111$12,638
Over 36$8,574$10,111$12,638
Over 38$8,574$10,111$12,638
Over 40$8,574$10,111$12,638

 

Flag and General Officers: O-7 – O-8

2021 Pay Charts

YearsO-7O-8
< 2$9,414$11,329
Over 2$9,852$11,701
Over 3$10,054$11,947
Over 4$10,215$12,016
Over 6$10,506$12,324
Over 8$10,794$12,837
Over 10$11,127$12,956
Over 12$11,458$13,444
Over 14$11,791$13,584
Over 16$12,837$14,004
Over 18$13,719$14,612
Over 20$13,719$15,172
Over 22$13,719$15,546
Over 24$13,719$15,546
Over 26$13,790$15,546
Over 28$13,790$15,546
Over 30$14,066$15,935
Over 32$14,066$15,935
Over 34$14,066$16,333
Over 36$14,066$16,333
Over 38$14,066$16,333
Over 40$14,066$16,333

 

Flag and General Officers: O-9 – O-10

2021 Pay Charts

YearsO-9O-10
< 2
Over 2
Over 3
Over 4
Over 6
Over 8
Over 10
Over 12
Over 14
Over 16
Over 18
Over 20$16,012$16,608
Over 22$16,244$16,608
Over 24$16,577$16,608
Over 26$16,608$16,608
Over 28$16,608$16,608
Over 30$16,608$16,608
Over 32$16,608$16,608
Over 34$16,608$16,608
Over 36$16,608$16,608
Over 38$16,608$16,608
Over 40$16,608$16,608

 

The Latest on the NDAA and Military Pay 2021 Increase

SASC NDAA Highlights

Troop Pay Increase

The $750.50 billion dollar Senate budget plan would increase annual pay for troops by 3% for 2021. This increase matches the federal calculation of next year’s projected civilian raises, as well as the amount requested by the White House. Also included in the plan are re-authorizations for 30 different bonuses and specialty pays.

Troop Strength Increase

The plan proposes a total increase of 6,000 troops, with changes to each branch as follows:

  • Active duty Army will increase by 5,000 to a total troop number of 485,000
  • Navy will increase by 6,200 to a total of 346,730
  • Air Force will increase 675 to a total of 333,475
  • The Marine troop number will be decrease by 6,200 to a new total of 180,000

Family Housing Improvements

New hiring authorities would be required to oversee outside housing contractors, and “substandard family housing” would be prohibited. The plan would also require the Defense Department inspector general to audit the medical conditions of those who previously resided in privatized housing to identify any long-term effects that may have resulted from improper housing.

Child-care Availability Improvements

In order to better recruit and retain child-care workers on base, leaders would be instructed to provide improved benefits packages. This would work to increase child-care and day-care availability for troops and their families.

RELATED: Military Gets Free Assistance Finding Child Care

Increased Defense Funding

Long-range assault aircraft and drone funding would be increased with this plan, as well as a 5 million dollar allowance for Army Cyber Mission Forces.

Transparency

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, has put forth language in the bill to require monetary totals for military research projects to be made public.

Current Issues

Other proposals that address more recent events include an amendment put forward by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-VA, to prevent military funds or personnel being used “against American citizens exercising their first amendment rights,” and $44 million in funding towards COVID-19 vaccine research currently being conducted by the DOD.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is also planning to add an amendment to hold a review and recommendation process regarding renaming Confederate-named military bases. This is in contrast to Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s, D-Mass., amendment that would require all Confederate-named bases, aircraft, ships, streets, etc. to be renamed within three years without such a process.

The SASC voted to advance the NDAA to the floor with a bipartisan vote of 25-2. Politico reported that there is a possibility the NDAA would take longer to see the floor as police reform has become a more pressing issue.

House Subcommittees’ NDAA Highlights

Troop Pay Increase

The House subcommittees have also included a 3% pay increase for troops.

Increased Defense Funding

The Navy would be authorized to buy eight battle-force ships. This includes what the White House requested, plus an additional Virginia-class submarine.

Transparency

Representatives Katie Porter, D-Calif., and Francis Rooney, R-Fla., have put forth an amendment that requires all unclassified Pentagon reports ordered by Congress to be made public.

Current Issues

Questions to Pentagon workplace surveys would be added, asking if “racism, anti-Semitism and supremacism” have ever been experienced while on duty. Supremacist, extremist, and criminal gang activity already are tracked when part of a criminal probe, but the bill would require tracking when handled only by administrative means or by commanders. An annual report from each military branch of the gender and race of officers recommended for promotion would also be required.

Related to the recent coronavirus outbreak, included is a requirement for troops to have the necessary PPE and diagnostic equipment for infectious diseases. They would also require a review on the current level of preparedness regarding chemical and biological threats.

End of update.

2021 Pay Raise Could Help Stabilize

Food Insecurity

Military members and their families are at or below the 200% poverty line, Sen. Tammy Duckworth pointed out. Making them eligible for food stamps and free lunch programs for school-age children.

Competitive Pay

Organizations know that if they don’t offer competitive pay, they will soon lose their most talented employees, the same is true for the armed services. The armed forces lose highly trained military members to the civilian sector each year.

Military Pay Raise Tied to ECI (Employment Cost Index)

According to news reports the key government index used as a guideline for civilian wages indicates the military pay increase for fiscal 2021 will be at least 2.9 percent. Earlier reports were that the White House was seeking a 3 percent raise for 2021, but by law, military pay increases are tied to the U.S. Employment Cost Index (ECI) put out by the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which was released last week.

Stay Tuned for Future Updates. Until then, here is a sneak peek at the projected 2021 military pay — based on the 3.0 percent ECI rate.

 

 

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