A Sergeant Major (E-9) with 28 years of service earns $9,267.90/month in base pay in 2026 ($111,214.80/year before allowances and taxes).
| Years | Monthly base pay |
|---|---|
| 10 | $6,910.20 |
| 12 | $7,066.50 |
| 14 | $7,263.60 |
| 16 | $7,496.10 |
| 18 | $7,730.70 |
| 20 | $8,105.10 |
| 22 | $8,423.10 |
| 24 | $8,756.70 |
| 26 | $9,267.90 |
| 28 | $9,267.90 ← |
| 30 | $9,730.20 |
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.