Have you ever wondered how much the soldiers who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier earn? They stand watch at Arlington National Cemetery in every kind of weather, day and night, so it is a fair question.
The short answer is that Tomb Guards are paid like other soldiers of the same rank. In this guide I will show you their real 2026 Army pay, which ranks they hold, and what it takes to earn the job.
How Much Do Tomb Guards Earn?
Tomb Guards are soldiers of the U.S. Army, so their pay comes from the Army’s basic pay table. It depends on two things: rank and years of service.
The Society of the Honor Guard, the association of former Tomb Guards, lists the ranks that serve at the Tomb:
These are the 2026 monthly basic pay figures from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service table, which Military.com publishes. The low end is a new soldier at that rank and the high end is one with many years in.
Pay by Rank and Years of Service
Here is the 2026 basic pay a month for the ranks Tomb Guards hold:
Military pay went up 3.8% in 2026, so these are higher than the figures you may see for earlier years.
What a Tomb Guard Earns in a Year
On top of basic pay, every enlisted soldier gets a food allowance called BAS. In 2026 it is $476.95 a month, and it is not taxed.
So here are some examples, worked out from the 2026 tables. They are my sums, for one possible length of service each:
Soldiers who live off base also get a housing allowance, which depends on rank, family and location, so it is not in these sums. Many young single soldiers live in the barracks instead.
Do Tomb Guards Get Extra Pay?
I looked for an official source on a special pay just for Tomb duty and could not find one that I could check, so I have left it out of the numbers above.
Like all soldiers, Tomb Guards also get health care, paid leave and the chance to earn a military pension and education benefits, which add a lot of value on top of the paycheck.
What It Takes to Become a Tomb Guard
The pay is ordinary, but the job is not. The Society of the Honor Guard says Tomb Guards are hand picked and rigorously trained, and most soldiers who start the training cannot meet the standards.
- They must have strong military bearing, discipline and stamina.
- They must perform seven different types of walks, honors and ceremonies without a mistake.
- They must learn a huge amount about the Tomb, Arlington National Cemetery, the Army and their unit.
- They are matched by height. The three Reliefs run from 5’11” to 6’4″, with the tallest on the 1st Relief.
Each Relief is led by a Staff Sergeant, with two teams of an Assistant Relief Commander and four Sentinels.
A Little History
The Unknown Soldier from World War I was laid to rest on November 11, 1921. The Army took over the guard on March 25, 1926, and since July 2, 1937 the Tomb has been guarded 24 hours a day, according to the Society of the Honor Guard.
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Some More Questions You Might Have
How much do Tomb of the Unknown Soldier guards make?
In 2026, a Sentinel’s basic pay is $2,836.80 to $3,815.40 a month as a Private First Class or Specialist, plus a $476.95 food allowance.
How much does a Tomb Guard make a year?
About $45,000 for a Specialist with over 2 years, and about $61,000 for a Staff Sergeant with over 8 years, counting basic pay and the food allowance.
What rank are the Tomb Guards?
Sentinels are usually Private First Class or Specialist. Assistant Relief Commanders are Corporals or Sergeants, and Relief Commanders are Staff Sergeants.
Do Tomb Guards get paid more than other soldiers?
Their basic pay is the same as other soldiers of the same rank and years of service. We could not confirm any extra pay for Tomb duty.
How tall do you have to be to guard the Tomb?
The three Reliefs run from 5’11” to 6’4″, according to the Society of the Honor Guard.
Can women be Tomb Guards?
Yes. The Society of the Honor Guard says the guards are men and women from many backgrounds.
Where These Numbers Come From
- Defense Finance and Accounting Service, 2026 Active Duty Pay table, published by Military.com in 2026 Military Pay Charts, updated July 15, 2026.
- Military.com, 2026 Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) Rates, updated December 19, 2025.
- Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Who are the Tomb Guards?, checked October 3, 2026.
Thank you for reading. I hope this answers what Tomb Guards earn, and why the job means much more to them than the paycheck. If you have any questions, you can email me at costcheckr@gmail.com.
