Weekly, Biweekly, Semi-Monthly and Monthly Pay
How often you are paid changes the size of each paycheck, though not your yearly pay. Here is how each pay schedule works and which months bring a third paycheck in 2026.
The four common pay schedules
| Schedule | Paychecks a year | Gross per paycheck | Take-home per paycheck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly | 52 | $1,250.00 | $1,046.30 |
| Every 2 weeks (biweekly) | 26 | $2,500.00 | $2,092.60 |
| Twice a month (semi-monthly) | 24 | $2,708.33 | $2,266.98 |
| Monthly | 12 | $5,416.67 | $4,533.96 |
Example: $65,000 salary, single filer in Texas, no deductions.
Months with three paychecks in 2026
On a biweekly schedule, two months a year have three paydays instead of two. Many people use those extra paychecks for savings or debt payments.
- Paid every other Friday starting January 2: January and July (26 paychecks in 2026).
- Paid every other Friday starting January 9: May and October (26 paychecks in 2026).
Biweekly vs semi-monthly: which is better?
Neither pays more over a year. Biweekly gives you 26 smaller paychecks and two bonus three-paycheck months; semi-monthly gives you 24 slightly larger paychecks on fixed dates, which some people find easier for paying rent and bills.
See your own numbers for any schedule with the take-home pay calculator.
Common questions
What is biweekly pay?
Biweekly pay means you are paid every two weeks, usually on the same weekday. That is 26 paychecks in most years, so two months each year have three paydays.
Is biweekly the same as semi-monthly?
No. Biweekly is every two weeks (26 paychecks a year). Semi-monthly is twice a month on set dates such as the 15th and the last day (24 paychecks a year). Each semi-monthly paycheck is slightly larger.
Which months have 3 paychecks in 2026?
If you are paid every other Friday starting January 2, January and July have three paydays in 2026. If your first payday was January 9, it is May and October.
What is a pay period?
A pay period is the stretch of time your paycheck covers, such as one week or two weeks. Your employer adds up the hours or salary earned in that period and pays you on the payday that follows.
Can a year have 27 biweekly paychecks?
Yes. Every 11 years or so, the calendar lines up so a biweekly schedule has 27 paydays in one year. Salaried workers in those years may see slightly smaller paychecks if their employer divides the salary by 27.