O-3 is an officer pay grade. The title depends on the branch, but the pay is identical.
O-3 basic pay by years of service
| Years of service | Monthly | Yearly | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 or less | $5,534.10 | $66,409 | |
| Over 2 | $6,273.90 | $75,287 | +$739.80 |
| Over 3 | $6,770.40 | $81,245 | +$496.50 |
| Over 4 | $7,382.70 | $88,592 | +$612.30 |
| Over 6 | $7,737.00 | $92,844 | +$354.30 |
| Over 8 | $8,125.50 | $97,506 | +$388.50 |
| Over 10 | $8,375.70 | $100,508 | +$250.20 |
| Over 12 | $8,788.20 | $105,458 | +$412.50 |
| Over 14 | $9,004.20 | $108,050 | +$216.00 |
| Over 16 | $9,004.20 | $108,050 | no change |
| Over 18 | $9,004.20 | $108,050 | no change |
| Over 20 | $9,004.20 | $108,050 | no change |
| Over 22 | $9,004.20 | $108,050 | no change |
| Over 24 | $9,004.20 | $108,050 | no change |
| Over 26 | $9,004.20 | $108,050 | no change |
| Over 28 | $9,004.20 | $108,050 | no change |
| Over 30 | $9,004.20 | $108,050 | no change |
| Over 32 | $9,004.20 | $108,050 | no change |
| Over 34 | $9,004.20 | $108,050 | no change |
| Over 36 | $9,004.20 | $108,050 | no change |
| Over 38 | $9,004.20 | $108,050 | no change |
| Over 40 | $9,004.20 | $108,050 | no change |
Rank title in each branch
| Army | Captain |
| Navy | Lieutenant |
| Marine Corps | Captain |
| Air Force | Captain |
| Space Force | Captain |
| Coast Guard | Lieutenant |
What an O-3 takes home in total
Basic pay is only part of the picture. At over 6 years, an O-3 earns $7,737.00 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 $9,871.48. 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-3 make a month in 2026?
Basic pay for an O-3 ranges from $5,534.10 a month (2 or less years of service) to $9,004.20 (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-3 pay per year?
$66,409 to $108,050 a year in basic pay alone, before allowances.
Is O-3 pay the same in every branch?
Yes. Basic pay depends only on grade and years of service, so an O-3 in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard is paid from the same table.