All military members received a well-deserved 4.5% pay raise in January 2025, but for junior enlisted troops, an even bigger boost is on the way this spring.
Thanks to targeted legislation passed by Congress in late 2024, service members ranked E-1 through E-4, as well as E-5s with the fewest years in service, will receive an additional raise starting April 1, 2025. This second raise pushes their total pay increase for 2025 to 14.5%, making this one of the most substantial annual pay increases for young troops in decades.
A Two-Part Raise: January + April
The 14.5% total pay boost for junior troops is broken into two parts:
4.5% raise that took effect January 1, 2025
An additional 10% raise beginning April 1, 2025
This mid-year pay bump is designed to bring junior enlisted salaries closer in line with rising living costs and ensure military compensation stays competitive with the civilian sector.
What This Means for You
As of April 1, 2025:
An E-2 with two years of service will see their annual base salary increase from about $27,000 to $31,000
An E-4 with three years in service will jump from $35,000 to more than $40,000
These updated monthly pay rates, effective April–December 2025, have been published by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)
These increases apply to active-duty members of all branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force.
Officer Pay and High-Rank Limits
While most military members saw a full 4.5% raise, some senior officers, such as:
O-8s with 30+ years of service
All O-9s and O-10s
received smaller percentage increases. That’s because, by law, their pay cannot exceed Level II of the Executive Schedule, a federal cap on top-tier pay rates.
Quick Recap: Military Pay in 2025
4.5% raise for all troops started January 1, 2025
Additional 10% raise for junior enlisted (E-1 to E-4 and some E-5s) starts April 1, 2025
Total raise for junior enlisted = 14.5%
New monthly pay charts (April–December) are available through DFAS
Senior officer pay limited by Executive Schedule caps
Bottom Line
April 1, 2025 is a major milestone for junior enlisted troops. Not only are you benefiting from the standard 4.5% military pay raise, but you’re also getting a targeted 10% bonus increase, bringing your total raise to a generous 14.5% for the year.
This isn’t just another bump in your paycheck—it’s a clear sign that your service is being recognized and valued at the highest levels. Keep an eye on your LES and take a moment to appreciate this meaningful step toward better military compensation.
Contact Us
If you wish to reach out to us, whether it’s to submit a new tool or simply to say hello, kindly utilize the form provided below.
