A Sergeant First Class (E-7) with 16 years of service earns $6,000.90/month in base pay in 2026 ($72,010.80/year before allowances and taxes).
| Years | Monthly base pay |
|---|---|
| 0 | $3,932.10 |
| 2 | $4,291.50 |
| 3 | $4,456.20 |
| 4 | $4,673.10 |
| 6 | $4,843.80 |
| 8 | $5,135.70 |
| 10 | $5,300.40 |
| 12 | $5,591.70 |
| 14 | $5,835.00 |
| 16 | $6,000.90 ← |
| 18 | $6,177.30 |
| 20 | $6,245.70 |
| 22 | $6,475.20 |
| 24 | $6,598.20 |
| 26 | $7,067.40 |
| 28 | $7,067.40 |
| 30 | $7,067.40 |
On top of base pay: BAS (food) is $476.95/month, and BAH (housing) depends on duty station and dependents. Use the app to add BAH for your ZIP.
Data: 2026 military pay tables (DoD), BAH rates, and VA compensation schedules as bundled in the VetPaycheck app. Last updated 2026-10-11. Figures are monthly gross before taxes. For planning only; verify with DFAS/VA.