2026 Military Pay Dates: When You Actually Get Paid
Active-duty members are paid twice a month: mid-month (the 15th) and end of month (the 1st of the next month). When a payday lands on a weekend or federal holiday, DFAS pays on the preceding business day — so some months you get paid early.
2026 payday calendar
| Month earned | Mid-month payday | End-of-month payday |
|---|---|---|
| January | Thu, Jan 15 | Fri, Jan 30 (1st falls on a weekend/holiday) |
| February | Fri, Feb 13 (15th falls on a weekend/holiday) | Fri, Feb 27 (1st falls on a weekend/holiday) |
| March | Fri, Mar 13 (15th falls on a weekend/holiday) | Wed, Apr 1 |
| April | Wed, Apr 15 | Fri, May 1 |
| May | Fri, May 15 | Mon, Jun 1 |
| June | Mon, Jun 15 | Wed, Jul 1 |
| July | Wed, Jul 15 | Fri, Jul 31 (1st falls on a weekend/holiday) |
| August | Fri, Aug 14 (15th falls on a weekend/holiday) | Tue, Sep 1 |
| September | Tue, Sep 15 | Thu, Oct 1 |
| October | Thu, Oct 15 | Fri, Oct 30 (1st falls on a weekend/holiday) |
| November | Fri, Nov 13 (15th falls on a weekend/holiday) | Tue, Dec 1 |
| December | Tue, Dec 15 | Thu, Dec 31 (1st falls on a weekend/holiday) |
Each deposit is roughly half of your monthly net pay. The end-of-month payment for December 2026 arrives December 31, 2026 because January 1 is a holiday — which can shift taxable income between years.
Why your deposit may land a day later
These are the official DFAS pay dates. Some banks post the deposit the moment it arrives (and a few credit unions post military pay one business day early), while others wait until the official date — so two members with the same payday can see money on different days.
Reserve & Guard pay timing
Drill pay doesn't follow the 1st/15th cycle — it's processed after your unit certifies the drill period, typically 7–14 days after the drill weekend. See our drill pay guide.
See exactly how much lands in each deposit — calculate your take-home pay.
Calculate my pay →Frequently asked questions
When does the military get paid?
On the 15th (mid-month) and the 1st of the following month (end-of-month). If a payday falls on a weekend or federal holiday, you're paid the preceding business day.
Is each military paycheck half a month's pay?
Yes — each of the two monthly deposits is roughly half of your monthly net pay.
Why did my pay arrive early this month?
When the 1st or 15th lands on a weekend or holiday, DFAS pays on the prior business day, so the deposit arrives one to three days early.