A Master Sergeant (E-8) with 24 years of service earns $7,481.70/month in base pay in 2026 ($89,780.40/year before allowances and taxes).
| Years | Monthly base pay |
|---|---|
| 8 | $5,656.50 |
| 10 | $5,907.00 |
| 12 | $6,061.80 |
| 14 | $6,247.20 |
| 16 | $6,448.20 |
| 18 | $6,811.20 |
| 20 | $6,995.40 |
| 22 | $7,308.30 |
| 24 | $7,481.70 ← |
| 26 | $7,908.90 |
| 28 | $7,908.90 |
| 30 | $8,067.30 |
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.