Pay grades
O-4: major and lieutenant commander
The first field grade, marked by the gold oak leaf. Titles, abbreviations and the 2026 pay row.
O-4: rank in each service, insignia and 2026 pay
Army, O-4 · Commissioned officer
Major (MAJ)
Field grade officer
| Marine Corps | Major (Maj) |
| Navy | Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) |
| Air Force | Major (Maj) |
| Space Force | Major (Maj) |
| Coast Guard | Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) |
| 2026 basic pay, over 10 years | $9,420.00 a month |
Same pay grade means the same basic pay in every service. Basic pay only: housing, food and special pays are not included.
Everything about O-4O-4 is the fourth commissioned officer pay grade and the first field grade, in the words of the Department of War chart, or the first mid-grade officer rank in the naval services. It is major in the Army (MAJ), the Marine Corps, the Air Force and the Space Force (Maj), and lieutenant commander (LCDR) in the Navy and the Coast Guard. The Army describes the major as "the primary staff officer for brigade and task force command regarding personnel, logistical and operational missions". The insignia is a gold oak leaf. In 2026, O-4 basic pay starts at $6,294.60 a month and reaches $10,509.90 over eighteen years. Over ten years of service the rate is $9,420.00. Under the 2027 tiered proposal, O-4 is the first grade that would receive 5% instead of 6%.
What is a promotion worth in basic pay?
O-4 to O-5, over 10 years
+$508.50 / mo
| O-4 | $9,420.00 |
| O-5 | $9,928.50 |
| Over a year | +$6,102 |
Same years of service in both grades, 2026 DFAS table.
Ranks and pay tables read by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · Method and sources
Staff officer
The Army's description centers the major on staff work for brigades and task forces: personnel, logistics and operations. The insignia is the same oak leaf in gold for all six services, worn on the collar or the shoulder.
What would each 2027 proposal pay you?
O-4 in 2026, over 10 years
$9,420.00 / mo
| 3.6% plan (Senate, formula) | about $9,759.12 |
| Tiered plan (5% for O-4) | about $9,891.00 |
Estimates only: Congress had not settled the 2027 raise when this page was checked.
Where the 2027 tiers split
The President's budget and the House bill would raise O-4 and above by 5% in January 2027 and E-6 to O-3 by 6%; the Senate committee bill gives 3.6% to everyone. Until an NDAA is enacted, the 2026 rate of $9,420.00 at ten years is the only official figure. The 2027 raise page follows the bill.
O-4 in the six services
| Service | Rank | Abbreviation | Insignia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army | Major | MAJ | |
| Marine Corps | Major | Maj |  |
| Navy | Lieutenant Commander | LCDR |  |
| Air Force | Major | Maj |  |
| Space Force | Major | Maj | |
| Coast Guard | Lieutenant Commander | LCDR |  |
O-4 basic pay in 2026, by years of service
| Years of service | Monthly basic pay | Over 12 months |
|---|---|---|
| 2 or less | $6,294.60 | $75,535 |
| Over 2 | $7,286.40 | $87,437 |
| Over 3 | $7,773.60 | $93,283 |
| Over 4 | $7,881.00 | $94,572 |
| Over 6 | $8,332.20 | $99,986 |
| Over 8 | $8,816.40 | $105,797 |
| Over 10 | $9,420.00 | $113,040 |
| Over 12 | $9,888.30 | $118,660 |
| Over 14 | $10,214.40 | $122,573 |
| Over 16 | $10,401.60 | $124,819 |
| Over 18 | $10,509.90 | $126,119 |