How Much Does a First Lieutenant / Lieutenant Junior Grade (O-2) Make in 2026?
In 2026 a First Lieutenant / Lieutenant Junior Grade (O-2) earns between $4,782 and $6,618 per month in basic pay, depending on years of service — plus tax-free BAH and BAS that raise real take-home pay further.
O-2 is usually reached about 18–24 months after commissioning. O-2 basic pay stops increasing after 6 years (most officers promote to O-3 before then).
2026 O-2 basic pay by years of service
| Years of service | Monthly basic pay |
|---|---|
| Less than 2 years | $4,782 |
| Over 2 years | $5,446 |
| Over 3 years | $6,272 |
| Over 4 years | $6,484 |
| Over 6 years | $6,618 |
An O-2 with 2 years of service earns $5,446/month in basic pay (about $65,352/year) before allowances.
See your exact O-2 take-home pay — pre-filled for O-2, just add your ZIP.
Calculate my pay →O-2 pay beyond basic pay
Basic pay is only part of the paycheck. Most O-2s also receive tax-free BAH (housing — varies by ZIP code and dependents) and BAS ($328.48/month (officer)). Because allowances are not taxed, a O-2's real take-home pay is noticeably higher than the basic-pay figure alone.
Frequently asked questions
How much does O-2 make in 2026?
An O-2 (a First Lieutenant) earns $4,782 to $6,618 per month in basic pay in 2026, plus tax-free BAH and BAS.
How much does a O-2 make with 2 years?
About $5,446 per month in basic pay, plus allowances.