Total Military Compensation Calculator
See what your military compensation is really worth — including BAH, BAS, TSP match, and tax advantages.
Enter rank, years, and station
See full pay, BAH, and tax value
Compare against civilian salary
E-5 · 8 yrs · Fort Bragg · w/dep
Civilian equiv. ≈$91,700/yr
Your Information
We'll match your ZIP or installation to the correct BAH area.
Most single E-1 through E-4 without dependents live in barracks or on-post housing.
Service members in barracks typically receive a meal card for the dining facility.
Blended Retirement System — DoD matches TSP contributions up to 5%
Total Monthly Compensation
$4,587
$55,043/year · Based on 2026 rates
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Pay & Allowances Breakdown
Based on 2026 rates
Full Economic Value
Based on 2026 rates
TRICARE line based on 2026 national average employer Silver plan premiums (KFF survey). Actual costs vary by employer and plan.
What this means for you
A civilian would need to earn approximately $60,236/year before taxes to match your total economic compensation — because your BAH ($0/mo) and BAS ($477/mo) are completely federal income tax-free, your employer contributes $2,466/year to your retirement, and TRICARE replaces $2,040/year in employer health premiums a civilian would pay . When evaluating a civilian job offer, compare against this number — not just your base pay.
This estimate uses a simplified federal income tax model. It does not include state taxes or FICA savings, which would make the actual civilian equivalent higher.
Tax-Free Compensation Breakdown
$0
BAH (monthly)
Tax-free$477
BAS (monthly)
Tax-free$687
Tax savings (annual)
vs. civilian equivalent
TSP / BRS Details
5%
Your contribution
$206
Your monthly TSP
$206
DoD monthly match
$2,466
Annual match total
The 1% automatic DoD contribution begins after 60 days of service. Matching contributions (up to 4%) begin at the start of the member's 25th month of service.
Your Next Steps
You're capturing the full BRS match
mediumAt 5% contribution, you're receiving the full DoD match. Higher contributions can increase tax-advantaged retirement savings, but the right amount depends on your cash flow, debt, emergency fund, and goals.
Enter your installation ZIP code for BAH
highBAH is one of the largest components of your compensation. Enter your duty station ZIP code above to see your exact tax-free housing allowance.
Your military value goes beyond this calculator
Total compensation is just the starting point. These benefits add thousands more in value — and each has its own calculator.
Healthcare (TRICARE)
Active-duty TRICARE covers you and your family with no enrollment premium. Replacing it as a civilian can cost $600–$1,700/month depending on coverage type.
Compare healthcare costs after service →Life Insurance (SGLI)
SGLI provides $500,000 in coverage for roughly $26/month. Comparable civilian term life insurance for the same coverage can cost $50–$150/month depending on age and health.
See your separation benefits timeline →Combat Zone Tax Savings
Serving in a combat zone? Your entire income — base pay, allowances, and special pays — can be federal and state tax-free. That can add thousands to your annual take-home.
Calculate deployment pay →Education Benefits
The Post-9/11 GI Bill, VR&E, and Tuition Assistance can cover tens of thousands in education costs. These don't show up on your LES but they're part of your total package.
Compare education benefits →Retirement & TSP
The BRS match alone adds up to 5% of your base pay in government contributions. Over a career, TSP contributions with matching can grow to six or seven figures.
Project your TSP growth →What Does an E-5 with 8 Years Really Make?
Scenario: E-5 (Sergeant / Petty Officer 2nd Class), 8 years of service, stationed at Fort Bragg, NC (ZIP 28310), married with dependents, enrolled in BRS and contributing 5% to TSP.
What this means:This E-5 sees $4,300 on their pay stub, but their true economic compensation is $91,703 — 78% higher than base pay alone. The gap comes from BAH and BAS being completely excluded from federal income tax, plus TRICARE family coverage that would cost a civilian roughly $6,840/year in employer-plan premiums. A civilian would need to earn roughly $91,700 before taxes to match the same financial value, and that still doesn't count commissary access or the pension.
Does this result look off? Report a calculator issue →
Why base pay understates your compensation
Military pay stubs list Basic Pay prominently because that's what's taxable — but the two largest allowances, BAH and BAS, are excluded from federal taxable income and are generally not taxed by states, but state treatment can vary. A civilian earning the same total dollar amount would pay hundreds or thousands more in taxes each year.
The civilian equivalent salary in this calculator accounts for that difference. It answers the question: “What gross salary would a civilian need to earn to take home the same economic value you receive?” This is the right number to compare against job offers.
How BAH is calculated
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is set by pay grade and local median rental costs for the Military Housing Area (MHA) surrounding your duty station. Rates update every January 1st. With dependents, rates are often higher, but the difference varies by location and pay grade.
BAH is based on rental and utility cost data for your pay grade, dependency status, and Military Housing Area. It helps offset housing costs, but your actual out-of-pocket cost depends on the housing you choose. You keep any amount under your BAH if you find cheaper housing, and you pay the difference if you spend more.
BRS vs. Legacy retirement
Legacy (High-3): Receive 2.5% × years of service × average of highest 36 months of basic pay. For a standard active-duty retirement, you must complete 20 years of qualifying service.
BRS (Blended Retirement): A reduced 2.0% pension multiplier plus DoD contributions to your TSP: 1% automatic, plus matching up to 4% of basic pay. You build retirement savings even if you serve fewer than 20 years. Most service members with a DIEMS (Date of Initial Entry to Military Service) on or after January 1, 2018 are automatically covered by BRS. Some members who entered service earlier elected BRS during the opt-in window.
BRS contribution timing:The 1% automatic DoD contribution begins after 60 days of service. Matching contributions (up to 4%) begin at the start of the member's 25th month of service.
Understanding BAS
BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) is a monthly allowance designed to offset food costs. In 2026: enlisted members receive $476.95/month; officers receive $328.48/month. BAS is paid regardless of duty station — it does not vary by location.
Like BAH, BAS is fully excluded from federal income tax, adding measurable economic value beyond the dollar amount shown on your pay stub.
What this calculator does not include
Want to see where your basic pay falls across all ranks? View the full 2026 military pay charts →
- Special pay: flight pay, hazardous duty pay, combat zone tax exclusion, sea pay, etc.
- SGLI life insurance (up to $500K coverage at $26/month as of July 2025)
- Commissary and exchange savings (estimated $2,000–4,000/year for a family)
- Full TRICARE health insurance value — this calculator includes a conservative TRICARE replacement estimate ($2,040/yr for individual, $6,840/yr for family) in the Full Economic Value section based on employer Silver plan premiums. The actual civilian replacement cost can be significantly higher ($12,000–20,000/year for comprehensive family coverage).
- VA loan eligibility and education benefits (GI Bill)
- The value of the military pension itself (not just the TSP match)
- CONUS COLA — if your duty station is in a high-cost area (parts of CA, NY, MA, CT, NJ, or the NCR), you may receive additional taxable allowance. Check CONUS COLA eligibility →
Your total value may be higher than this calculator shows if you receive special pays, use TRICARE, qualify for CONUS COLA, build pension eligibility, or use education and VA loan benefits.
E-1 note: E-1 members with less than 4 months of active duty receive $2,225.70/month. This calculator shows the standard E-1 rate of $2,407.20.
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Disclaimer
MilPayTools calculators use official DoD and VA rate tables (2026) for educational purposes only. Results are estimates and may not reflect your exact situation. Always verify your pay and benefits with your unit's Finance Office, your MyPay account, or an accredited military financial counselor. Tax calculations are illustrative estimates — consult a tax professional for personalized advice. This tool is not affiliated with the Department of Defense, the VA, or any government agency.
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