Military Promotion Pay Calculator
Estimate the monthly and yearly pay change from your current grade to the next mapped grade.
Best used when you want a clean promotion pay check, not a full career forecast.
Complete required fields, then select Calculate.
Estimate confidence: PENDING INPUT
Data as of 2026-01-01
Included in estimate
- Base pay (paygrade + years of service)
- BAS
- BAH (ZIP + dependent status)
- Special pay entered in this scenario
- Cost-of-living factor used by this tool
- Deduction rate assumption shown in this tool
Not included
- Service-specific incentive pays not entered (for example sea pay or flight pay)
- Future pay-table or allowance updates after the data date
- Personal tax credits/deductions beyond the selected deduction assumption
What this tool is for
Use this page when the question is how much pay changes if promotion happens. It keeps the rest of the scenario stable so the result stays focused on the grade jump.
Worked example
Example: an Army E-5 weighing the financial value of E-6 can enter the current grade, keep the same location and family status, and see the estimated monthly lift from that promotion alone.
When to use it
Use it for promotion planning, reenlistment conversations, and budget checks that depend on the next grade rather than the current one.
When not to use it
Do not use it to predict board timing, selection odds, billet availability, or when special-duty pay may change after promotion. Those questions sit outside the math on this page.
What the result means
The current figure is the present grade and the comparison figure is the next mapped grade. The monthly and yearly differences isolate the pay impact of promotion only, not the odds or timing of actually pinning on.
Official sources used
Direct links to the official pages this tool relies on.
Site assumptions
- Uses a site-maintained next-grade mapping for each service.
- Keeps duty ZIP, family status, and component fixed unless you change them.
- Does not model promotion timing, back pay, or service-specific selection gates.
What is included
- Base pay change between the current and next mapped grade
- Shared BAS and BAH treatment across both sides of the comparison
- Monthly and annualized difference output
What is not included
- Selection probability or board timing
- Special-duty changes tied to the next assignment
- Service-specific administrative delays
- Any guarantee that promotion occurs
Verify with
- Your service career counselor or unit admin
- The linked DFAS pay tables
- Your current LES if the result will affect a budget or commitment
Frequently asked questions
Is this an official government site?
No. This is an independent planning utility, not an official U.S. Government website. Do not submit CUI, ITAR, classified, or sensitive personal information. Always verify estimates with official sources before making financial decisions.
How accurate are these estimates?
These are planning estimates based on official DFAS, DoD, and service-specific sources. Actual pay may vary based on your specific situation, special pays, tax withholdings, and other factors. Use these tools for planning purposes and verify with your finance office.
When was this data last updated?
Check the source and assumptions sections on this page for the current effective date used by the site. If the linked official pages have changed since then, use the official pages first.
Does this assume I will definitely promote to the next grade?
No. It assumes the next mapped paygrade for planning purposes only. The page estimates the pay effect of promotion, not the timing or probability of actually pinning on.
This estimate uses simplified planning assumptions. Review the linked methodology and official source pages before making financial decisions. Spotted an error or have a suggestion? Send a note.