What Is a Pay Period?

Table of contents

Pay Period vs. Payday

These two terms describe different moments in the same process — and confusing them is a common payroll misunderstanding.

	Definition
Pay period	The span of time during which work is performed and wages accrue — the earning window. Example: May 1–14.
Payday	The date the paycheck is issued and funds are deposited. Example: May 21.

The gap between the end of the pay period and payday is typically several days to a week — time for the employer to process hours, calculate deductions, and initiate the transfer. Employees are paid for the pay period, not on it.

Types of Pay Periods

Employers in the U.S. use four main pay period frequencies, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Each determines how many times per year employees receive a paycheck and is common across different industries and role types.

Weekly

52 pay periods per year. Employees are paid for one week of work at a time. Common in hourly industries — construction, restaurants, staffing — where workers benefit from shorter earning cycles.

Biweekly

26 pay periods per year (occasionally 27). Biweekly is the most common pay frequency in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employees receive a paycheck every other week on the same day. Biweekly means every two weeks — not twice a week.

Semimonthly

24 pay periods per year. Paychecks land on fixed calendar dates — typically the 1st and 15th, or the 15th and the last day of the month. Common for salaried employees in professional services. The dates stay consistent, though the number of days in each period can vary slightly.

Monthly

12 pay periods per year. Less common; typically used for executive compensation or fully salaried roles. The longest gap between paychecks means cash flow planning matters more for employees on this schedule.

Pay Periods and Payroll Setup

Employers choose their pay frequency before the first payroll run. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires maintaining a regular, consistent schedule — employers can't change pay frequency arbitrarily or irregularly. Many states add minimum frequency requirements on top of that (for example, prohibiting a monthly schedule for hourly workers). Once set, the schedule is expected to hold. Switching frequencies mid-year is possible but carries administrative overhead and may require advance written notice to employees under some state laws.

SurePayroll® By Paychex accommodates all four standard pay period frequencies. Employers select their schedule during setup; the platform calculates wages, deductions, and tax withholding for each pay period from that point forward.

See plans and pricing.

This content is for educational purposes only, is not intended to provide specific legal advice, and should not be used as a substitute for the legal advice of a qualified attorney or other professional. The information may not reflect the most current legal developments, may be changed without notice and is not guaranteed to be complete, correct, or up to date

Related Terms

Safe Harbor 401(k) Retirement Plan

Wage Garnishment

401(k) Plan

Small Business Solutions. Simplified.

You deserve simple solutions from the people who care about your success.

Get started

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pay periods are in a year?

It depends on your pay frequency. Weekly: 52. Biweekly: 26 (occasionally 27). Semimonthly: 24. Monthly: 12. For a deeper breakdown — including how biweekly schedules occasionally produce a 27th pay period — see How Many Pay Periods Are in a Year?

What's the difference between biweekly and semimonthly pay?

Biweekly pay happens every two weeks on the same day — 26 times per year. Semimonthly pay happens twice a month on fixed calendar dates — 24 times per year. They look similar, but the mechanics differ. Biweekly dates shift each month; semimonthly dates stay fixed on the calendar. For salaried employees, semimonthly is often simpler to administer — 24 checks means each check is slightly larger than a biweekly check drawing from the same annual salary. For hourly employees, biweekly aligns better with workweek overtime calculations.

Does the pay period have to match the workweek?

No. The pay period and the workweek are separate concepts. The FLSA workweek — the fixed, recurring 168-hour span used for overtime calculations — doesn't have to align with your pay period start and end dates. Many biweekly pay periods span two workweeks.

Can an employer change pay periods?

Yes, but not without planning. Most states require advance written notice to employees before changing pay frequency. The employer also needs to handle any overlap or gap between the old and new schedules. Confirm your state's notice requirements and consult your payroll provider before making the switch.

Pay Period