O-4 is an officer pay grade. The title depends on the branch, but the pay is identical.
O-4 basic pay by years of service
| Years of service | Monthly | Yearly | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 or less | $6,294.60 | $75,535 | |
| Over 2 | $7,286.40 | $87,437 | +$991.80 |
| Over 3 | $7,773.60 | $93,283 | +$487.20 |
| Over 4 | $7,881.00 | $94,572 | +$107.40 |
| Over 6 | $8,332.20 | $99,986 | +$451.20 |
| Over 8 | $8,816.40 | $105,797 | +$484.20 |
| Over 10 | $9,420.00 | $113,040 | +$603.60 |
| Over 12 | $9,888.30 | $118,660 | +$468.30 |
| Over 14 | $10,214.40 | $122,573 | +$326.10 |
| Over 16 | $10,401.60 | $124,819 | +$187.20 |
| Over 18 | $10,509.90 | $126,119 | +$108.30 |
| Over 20 | $10,509.90 | $126,119 | no change |
| Over 22 | $10,509.90 | $126,119 | no change |
| Over 24 | $10,509.90 | $126,119 | no change |
| Over 26 | $10,509.90 | $126,119 | no change |
| Over 28 | $10,509.90 | $126,119 | no change |
| Over 30 | $10,509.90 | $126,119 | no change |
| Over 32 | $10,509.90 | $126,119 | no change |
| Over 34 | $10,509.90 | $126,119 | no change |
| Over 36 | $10,509.90 | $126,119 | no change |
| Over 38 | $10,509.90 | $126,119 | no change |
| Over 40 | $10,509.90 | $126,119 | no change |
What an O-4 wears
Rank title in each branch
| Army | Major |
| Navy | Lieutenant Commander |
| Marine Corps | Major |
| Air Force | Major |
| Space Force | Major |
| Coast Guard | Lieutenant Commander |
What an O-4 takes home in total
Basic pay is only part of the picture. At over 6 years, an O-4 earns $8,332.20 in basic pay and $328.48 in BAS. With an example housing allowance of $1,806 (an E-5 with dependents at Fort Bragg in 2026; your own rate depends on your grade and duty station), the monthly total is $10,466.68. The housing and food parts are tax-free, which is worth thousands of dollars a year compared with a civilian salary of the same size.
Questions
How much does an O-4 make a month in 2026?
Basic pay for an O-4 ranges from $6,294.60 a month (2 or less years of service) to $10,509.90 (over 40 years). Most members also receive tax-free BAS of $328.48 and, unless they live in government housing, BAH that depends on their duty station.
What is O-4 pay per year?
$75,535 to $126,119 a year in basic pay alone, before allowances.
Is O-4 pay the same in every branch?
Yes. Basic pay depends only on grade and years of service, so an O-4 in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard is paid from the same table.
