W-5 is a warrant officer pay grade. Every branch that uses it calls it Chief Warrant Officer 5. Pay for W-5 starts at the "over 20 years" column, because members are not normally promoted to this grade earlier.
W-5 basic pay by years of service
| Years of service | Monthly | Yearly | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 20 | $10,169.70 | $122,036 | |
| Over 22 | $10,685.70 | $128,228 | +$516.00 |
| Over 24 | $11,070.30 | $132,844 | +$384.60 |
| Over 26 | $11,495.10 | $137,941 | +$424.80 |
| Over 28 | $11,495.10 | $137,941 | no change |
| Over 30 | $12,070.80 | $144,850 | +$575.70 |
| Over 32 | $12,070.80 | $144,850 | no change |
| Over 34 | $12,673.50 | $152,082 | +$602.70 |
| Over 36 | $12,673.50 | $152,082 | no change |
| Over 38 | $13,308.30 | $159,700 | +$634.80 |
| Over 40 | $13,308.30 | $159,700 | no change |
What a W-5 wears
Rank title in each branch
| Army | Chief Warrant Officer 5 |
| Navy | Chief Warrant Officer 5 |
| Marine Corps | Chief Warrant Officer 5 |
| Air Force | Chief Warrant Officer 5 |
| Space Force | |
| Coast Guard |
What a W-5 takes home in total
Basic pay is only part of the picture. At over 20 years, a W-5 earns $10,169.70 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 $12,304.18. 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 a W-5 make a month in 2026?
Basic pay for a W-5 ranges from $10,169.70 a month (over 20 years of service) to $13,308.30 (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 W-5 pay per year?
$122,036 to $159,700 a year in basic pay alone, before allowances.
Is W-5 pay the same in every branch?
Yes. Basic pay depends only on grade and years of service, so a W-5 in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force is paid from the same table.
