E-1 is an enlisted pay grade. The title depends on the branch, but the pay is identical.
E-1 basic pay by years of service
| Years of service | Monthly | Yearly | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 or less | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | |
| Over 2 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | no change |
| Over 3 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | no change |
| Over 4 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | no change |
| Over 6 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | no change |
| Over 8 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | no change |
| Over 10 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | no change |
| Over 12 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | no change |
| Over 14 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | no change |
| Over 16 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | no change |
| Over 18 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | no change |
| Over 20 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | no change |
| Over 22 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | no change |
| Over 24 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | no change |
| Over 26 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | no change |
| Over 28 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | no change |
| Over 30 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | no change |
| Over 32 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | no change |
| Over 34 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | no change |
| Over 36 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | no change |
| Over 38 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | no change |
| Over 40 | $2,407.20 | $28,886 | no change |
Rank title in each branch
| Army | Private (PV1) |
| Navy | Seaman Recruit |
| Marine Corps | Private |
| Air Force | Airman Basic |
| Space Force | Specialist 1 |
| Coast Guard | Seaman Recruit |
What an E-1 takes home in total
Basic pay is only part of the picture. At over 6 years, an E-1 earns $2,407.20 in basic pay and $476.95 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 $4,690.15. 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 E-1 make a month in 2026?
Basic pay for an E-1 ranges from $2,407.20 a month (2 or less years of service) to $2,407.20 (over 40 years). Most members also receive tax-free BAS of $476.95 and, unless they live in government housing, BAH that depends on their duty station.
What is E-1 pay per year?
$28,886 to $28,886 a year in basic pay alone, before allowances.
Is E-1 pay the same in every branch?
Yes. Basic pay depends only on grade and years of service, so an E-1 in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard is paid from the same table.