O-2E is an officer pay grade. The title depends on the branch, but the pay is identical. Pay for O-2E starts at the "over 4 years" column, because members are not normally promoted to this grade earlier.
O-2E basic pay by years of service
| Years of service | Monthly | Yearly | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 4 | $6,484.50 | $77,814 | |
| Over 6 | $6,617.70 | $79,412 | +$133.20 |
| Over 8 | $6,828.00 | $81,936 | +$210.30 |
| Over 10 | $7,183.80 | $86,206 | +$355.80 |
| Over 12 | $7,458.90 | $89,507 | +$275.10 |
| Over 14 | $7,663.50 | $91,962 | +$204.60 |
| Over 16 | $7,663.50 | $91,962 | no change |
| Over 18 | $7,663.50 | $91,962 | no change |
| Over 20 | $7,663.50 | $91,962 | no change |
| Over 22 | $7,663.50 | $91,962 | no change |
| Over 24 | $7,663.50 | $91,962 | no change |
| Over 26 | $7,663.50 | $91,962 | no change |
| Over 28 | $7,663.50 | $91,962 | no change |
| Over 30 | $7,663.50 | $91,962 | no change |
| Over 32 | $7,663.50 | $91,962 | no change |
| Over 34 | $7,663.50 | $91,962 | no change |
| Over 36 | $7,663.50 | $91,962 | no change |
| Over 38 | $7,663.50 | $91,962 | no change |
| Over 40 | $7,663.50 | $91,962 | no change |
Rank title in each branch
| Army | First Lieutenant |
| Navy | Lieutenant (junior grade) |
| Marine Corps | First Lieutenant |
| Air Force | First Lieutenant |
| Space Force | First Lieutenant |
| Coast Guard | Lieutenant (junior grade) |
What an O-2E takes home in total
Basic pay is only part of the picture. At over 6 years, an O-2E earns $6,617.70 in basic pay and $328.48 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 $8,752.18. 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 O-2E make a month in 2026?
Basic pay for an O-2E ranges from $6,484.50 a month (over 4 years of service) to $7,663.50 (over 40 years). Most members also receive tax-free BAS of $328.48 and, unless they live in government housing, BAH that depends on their duty station.
What is O-2E pay per year?
$77,814 to $91,962 a year in basic pay alone, before allowances.
Is O-2E pay the same in every branch?
Yes. Basic pay depends only on grade and years of service, so an O-2E in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard is paid from the same table.