US state payday-law reference and pay-date calculator Methodology · Contact
Definitions

Pay frequencies

The four common US pay frequencies. Each page gives a plain definition and the list of states the DOL table marks for that frequency.

  • Weekly — 52 paychecks a year. States DOL marks: 10.
  • Biweekly — 26 paychecks a year. States DOL marks: 14.
  • Semimonthly — 24 paychecks a year. States DOL marks: 32.
  • Monthly — 12 paychecks a year. States DOL marks: 23.

Source: US Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, State Payday Requirements (revised January 1, 2023). Record id: DOL-WHD-state-payday (all states). Data revised January 1, 2023.