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These are the Defense Department’s child-care fees for 2025-2026.
Military child-care fees vary according to family income and the local market rate. The market categories are low, standard or high. The installation commander chooses which market rate applies locally.
Fees for Defense Department child care typically change in the fall.
The weekly rate is $361 in 2025-2026 for non-service members, such as military contractors, whose children may attend DoD child care on a space-available basis. The cap on assistance for service members’ children to attend community-based providers is $2,000 per child per month.
DoD officials told Military.com that the military services must implement the new rates by a certain date each year, typically Oct. 1. Check with your on-base child-care office to find out which market rate applies. Learn more about military child care.
Here are the DoD child care fees for the 2025-2026 school year:
|
Category |
Total Family Income |
Standard Weekly Fee Per Child |
Low Market Option |
High Market Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
I |
$1–$45,000 |
$54 |
$45 |
$56 |
|
II |
$45,001–$55,000 |
$61 |
$51 |
$63 |
|
III |
$55,001–$65,000 |
$74 |
$62 |
$77 |
|
IV |
$65,001–$77,500 |
$88 |
$74 |
$91 |
|
V |
$77,501–$90,000 |
$104 |
$88 |
$108 |
|
VI |
$90,001–$102,500 |
$121 |
$102 |
$126 |
|
VII |
$102,501–$115,000 |
$138 |
$116 |
$143 |
|
VIII |
$115,001–$130,000 |
$155 |
$130 |
$161 |
|
IX |
$130,001–$145,000 |
$175 |
$147 |
$182 |
|
X |
$145,001–$160,000 |
$195 |
$164 |
$203 |
|
XI |
$160,001–$175,000 |
$215 |
$181 |
$224 |
|
XII |
$175,001+ |
$236 |
$198 |
$245 |
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6 Comments
Great insights on Defense. Thanks for sharing!
Solid analysis. Will be watching this space.
Interesting update on Military Child Care Fees. Looking forward to seeing how this develops.
This is very helpful information. Appreciate the detailed analysis.
Good point. Watching closely.
I’ve been following this closely. Good to see the latest updates.