O-9 is an officer pay grade. The title depends on the branch, but the pay is identical. Pay for O-9 starts at the "over 20 years" column, because members are not normally promoted to this grade earlier. Part of this grade's pay is capped by law at $18,999.90 a month, the Executive Schedule Level II rate for 2026.
O-9 basic pay by years of service
| Years of service | Monthly | Yearly | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 20 | $18,999.90 | $227,999 | |
| Over 22 | $18,999.90 | $227,999 | no change |
| Over 24 | $18,999.90 | $227,999 | no change |
| Over 26 | $18,999.90 | $227,999 | no change |
| Over 28 | $18,999.90 | $227,999 | no change |
| Over 30 | $18,999.90 | $227,999 | no change |
| Over 32 | $18,999.90 | $227,999 | no change |
| Over 34 | $18,999.90 | $227,999 | no change |
| Over 36 | $18,999.90 | $227,999 | no change |
| Over 38 | $18,999.90 | $227,999 | no change |
| Over 40 | $18,999.90 | $227,999 | no change |
Rank title in each branch
| Army | Lieutenant General |
| Navy | Vice Admiral |
| Marine Corps | Lieutenant General |
| Air Force | Lieutenant General |
| Space Force | Lieutenant General |
| Coast Guard | Vice Admiral |
What an O-9 takes home in total
Basic pay is only part of the picture. At over 20 years, an O-9 earns $18,999.90 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 $21,134.38. 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-9 make a month in 2026?
Basic pay for an O-9 ranges from $18,999.90 a month (over 20 years of service) to $18,999.90 (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-9 pay per year?
$227,999 to $227,999 a year in basic pay alone, before allowances.
Is O-9 pay the same in every branch?
Yes. Basic pay depends only on grade and years of service, so an O-9 in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard is paid from the same table.