How much does an E4 make a month?

As of 2025, the E4 base pay in the military ranges from $3,027.30 to $3,675.60 per month, depending on years of experience.

How much does an E4 in the Air Force make?

Base pay remains the same across all military branches. As of 2025, an E4 in the Air Force earns between $3,027.30 and $3,675.60 per month in basic pay, depending on years of experience. However, additional pay and allowances, such as housing, food, and special duty pay, may increase total compensation.

What is the base pay yearly for a Navy E4?

As of 2025, the annual base pay for a Navy E4 ranges from $36,327.60 to $44,107.20, depending on years of service. This does not include additional allowances and special pay that may increase total earnings.

What Is the E4 Base Pay in 2025?

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Published April 21, 2024 | Updated April 02, 2025

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Written by Priyanka Trivedi

Edited by Wes Silver

Reviewed by Teresa Dodson

Turbo Takeaways

All military branches have their own rank structure, with middle-ranking officers earning salaries in the E4 pay grade. Regardless of the military branch you work in, your E4 base pay remains the same, depending on your years of service.

Read on to learn more about the E4 base pay in 2025, how it is calculated, and bonuses you may qualify for when you join the military.

What Is E4 Base Pay?

E4 is the fourth enlisted pay grade for military service members. All military personnel within this pay grade are paid the same base rate across all military branches. The U.S. Department of Defense’s military pay chart shows the base pay you can earn for different years of service.

Pay grades range from E1 to E9 for enlisted service members. Privates or recruits start at the E1 pay grade and can work their way up to the E4 military rank through promotions. The basic pay is the primary compensation for military personnel. However, your pay may include other allowances, special pay, and bonuses.

How Is E4 Base Pay Calculated?

Military pay is based on rank and years of service. E4 base pay is calculated monthly and typically split into two paychecks, though some branches may offer monthly payments.

Your take-home pay can vary depending on automatic deductions for taxes, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) contributions, Savings Deposit Program (SDP), and garnishment. The pay of E4 active-duty members depends on the number of years of service.

Pay increases as you serve more years and with promotions. Military pay also increases annually to keep up with the changes in the cost of living and to ensure that the military is on par with the wages in the private sector.

E4 Base Pay Rates by Branch

There are six military branches: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The E4 base pay rate is the same across all military branches.

Years of Service	Monthly Base Pay
<2	$3,027.30
4	$3,524.70
6	$3,675.60
10	$3,675.60
20	$3,675.60
30	$3,675.60
40	$3,675.60

E4 Base Pay in the Army

As of 2025, the E4 base pay in the U.S. Army ranges from $3,027.30 to $3,675.60 per month, depending on years of experience. The military rank for the E4 pay grade is Specialist. The civilian equivalent of this military pay grade is GS-4 in the GS pay scale used by the federal government.

E4 Base Pay in the Air Force

E4 base pay in the Air Force is the same as other military branches. The military rank for the E4 pay grade in the Air Force is Senior Airman. However, take-home pay may also include bonuses and allowances, such as hazard pay, clothing allowance, Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), and Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for those who don’t live on base.

E4 Base Pay in the Navy

The military rank for the E4 pay grade in the Navy is Petty Officer 3rd Class. While base pay is the same across all military branches, take-home pay can vary based on allowances, location, and responsibilities. Certain roles may qualify for special pay in high-risk zones, such as hostile fire or imminent danger areas.

E4 Base Pay Comparison and Salary Calculator

If you’d like to understand more about the E4 base pay and your potential earnings, including other benefits, it's best to use an E4 salary calculator. The Regular Military Compensation (RMC) calculator from the DOD allows you to compute your RMC, which includes your basic pay, federal income tax advantage, basic allowance for subsistence, and basic allowance for off-base housing.

You’ll need to provide basic information, such as years of service, tax filing status, and number of dependents, to generate results with this pay calculator. RMC is the basic compensation level that every enlisted member receives and is a good way to see how much you can earn as an E4 service member in every military branch.

Bonuses When You Join

In addition to the E4 base pay and allowances, new enlistees may be eligible for a wide range of bonuses upon joining the military. Here's a list of some of the bonuses you may qualify for:

Active Army enlistment bonus: Up to $50K for in-demand roles
Quick ship bonus: Up to $10K for shipping to basic training within 30 days
Job signing bonus: Up to $45K for select MOS positions
Army Reserve enlistment bonus: Up to $13K for a six-year commitment
Airborne bonus: Up to $10K for completing Airborne School
Ranger bonus: Up to $20K after completing required training
Civilian acquired skills bonus: Up to $45K for recruits with specialized skills

Bonus amounts and eligibility can change, so check with a recruiter for the latest details.

Resources to Learn More About E4 Base Pay

If you’re considering a career in the military, learning more about pay tables will help you keep up with annual military pay raises. Your E4 base pay will continue to increase as the number of years in service increases.

For detailed information on military pay, visit the Department of Defense’s Military Compensation website and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) website. You can also use the Regular Military Compensation (RMC) calculator available on these sites to estimate your potential earnings.