E-8 is an enlisted pay grade. The title depends on the branch, but the pay is identical. Pay for E-8 starts at the "over 8 years" column, because members are not normally promoted to this grade earlier.
E-8 basic pay by years of service
| Years of service | Monthly | Yearly | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 8 | $5,656.50 | $67,878 | |
| Over 10 | $5,907.00 | $70,884 | +$250.50 |
| Over 12 | $6,061.80 | $72,742 | +$154.80 |
| Over 14 | $6,247.20 | $74,966 | +$185.40 |
| Over 16 | $6,448.20 | $77,378 | +$201.00 |
| Over 18 | $6,811.20 | $81,734 | +$363.00 |
| Over 20 | $6,995.40 | $83,945 | +$184.20 |
| Over 22 | $7,308.30 | $87,700 | +$312.90 |
| Over 24 | $7,481.70 | $89,780 | +$173.40 |
| Over 26 | $7,908.90 | $94,907 | +$427.20 |
| Over 28 | $7,908.90 | $94,907 | no change |
| Over 30 | $8,067.30 | $96,808 | +$158.40 |
| Over 32 | $8,067.30 | $96,808 | no change |
| Over 34 | $8,067.30 | $96,808 | no change |
| Over 36 | $8,067.30 | $96,808 | no change |
| Over 38 | $8,067.30 | $96,808 | no change |
| Over 40 | $8,067.30 | $96,808 | no change |
Rank title in each branch
| Army | Master Sergeant or First Sergeant |
| Navy | Senior Chief Petty Officer |
| Marine Corps | Master Sergeant or First Sergeant |
| Air Force | Senior Master Sergeant |
| Space Force | Senior Master Sergeant |
| Coast Guard | Senior Chief Petty Officer |
What an E-8 takes home in total
Basic pay is only part of the picture. At over 8 years, an E-8 earns $5,656.50 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 $7,939.45. 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-8 make a month in 2026?
Basic pay for an E-8 ranges from $5,656.50 a month (over 8 years of service) to $8,067.30 (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-8 pay per year?
$67,878 to $96,808 a year in basic pay alone, before allowances.
Is E-8 pay the same in every branch?
Yes. Basic pay depends only on grade and years of service, so an E-8 in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard is paid from the same table.