Pay frequency determines how often workers are paid and how current-period amounts accumulate into year-to-date totals. Weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, and monthly sound similar, but they create different date patterns and numbers of payments.
| Frequency | Typical periods per year | Common pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly | 52 | Same weekday each week |
| Biweekly | 26 | Every other week |
| Semimonthly | 24 | Two fixed dates each month |
| Monthly | 12 | One payment each month |
Biweekly Is Not Semimonthly
Biweekly payroll normally creates 26 payments per year and occasionally 27 depending on the calendar. Semimonthly payroll creates 24 payments, usually on two designated dates each month. Confusing the two can distort per-period salary and YTD totals.
Pay Period vs. Pay Date
The pay period is the span of work covered by the payment. The pay date is when wages are issued. They are related but not interchangeable, and both may need to appear on the wage statement.
Salary Allocation
A simple annual-salary allocation divides annual salary by the number of payroll periods, subject to employer policy and applicable law. Hourly payroll instead begins with hours and rates for the covered period.
Year-to-Date Review
YTD earnings should equal prior YTD earnings plus current earnings, after accounting for any authorized adjustments. Apply the same review to taxes and deductions. Starting with the correct pay frequency makes that reconciliation much easier.
Check State Payday Rules
States may regulate how frequently different workers must be paid. Selecting a pay frequency in a document generator does not determine whether that schedule is lawful. Review the applicable state payday rules and employment arrangement.