Royal Navy pay scales 2026/27
What Royal Navy ratings and officers earn at every rank from 1 April 2026, and what it leaves after tax and National Insurance.
Ratings pay by rank
| Rank | From | To | Take-home a month (start) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Able Rating (OR2) | £27,282 | £38,553 | £1,930 |
| Leading Rating (OR4) | £40,989 | £43,826 | £2,753 |
| Petty Officer (OR6) | £46,022 | £50,598 | £3,055 |
| Chief Petty Officer (OR7) | £51,615 | £60,271 | £3,375 |
| Warrant Officer 2 (OR8) | £56,024 | £60,271 | £3,588 |
| Warrant Officer 1 (OR9) | £64,704 | £67,201 | £4,007 |
Officer pay by rank
| Rank | From | To | Take-home a month (start) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-Lieutenant (OF1) | £35,925 | £47,351 | £2,449 |
| Lieutenant (OF2) | £54,716 | £64,852 | £3,524 |
| Lieutenant Commander (OF3) | £68,624 | £90,371 | £4,197 |
| Commander (OF4) | £95,850 | £110,806 | £5,513 |
| Captain (OF5) | £115,881 | £127,272 | £6,216 |
| Commodore (OF6) | £137,874 | £143,406 | £7,072 |
From 1 April 2026, including X-Factor, ratings on Supplement 1. Royal Marines use the Army rank titles on the same scales.
Navy pay extras
Sailors and Royal Marines can earn on top of basic pay, for example through Longer Separation Allowance for time at sea or away from home, and specialist payments such as submarine and diving pay. In 2026 the pay review body also recommended a new retention payment for submariners.
Navy ranks are matched to the same pay scales as the Army and RAF, so a Leading Rating is paid the same as an Army or RAF Corporal on the same supplement.
Common questions
How much does an Able Rating earn?
£27,282 on joining from April 2026, rising to £38,553 at the top of the scale on Supplement 1.
How much does a Royal Navy Lieutenant earn?
From £54,716 to £64,852 from April 2026.
Do sailors get paid more at sea?
There is no higher basic rate at sea, but time away can earn Longer Separation Allowance and some roles get specialist payments.