How many pay periods are in a year?
Payroll uses 52 weeks: annual ÷ 52 = weekly · ÷ 26 = biweekly · ÷ 24 = semi-monthly · ÷ 12 = monthly. Hourly × 2,080 = annual (40 h × 52 wk).
Pay periods in a year
| Pay schedule | Periods per year | $60,000 salary per period |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly | 52 | $1,153.85 |
| Biweekly (every two weeks) | 26 | $2,307.69 |
| Semi-monthly (twice a month) | 24 | $2,500.00 |
| Monthly | 12 | $5,000.00 |
The 53rd week
A year is 52 weeks and 1 day (2 in a leap year), so weekly and biweekly schedules occasionally land an extra payday: a 53rd weekly or 27th biweekly period, about once every 5–6 years (11 years for biweekly). Salaried employees are usually paid the same annual total either way; hourly employees are paid for the hours worked in that extra period. Some employers divide annual salary by 52.14 instead of 52 to keep every year's weekly figure identical.
Method
Weekly = annual ÷ 52. Hourly = annual ÷ (hours per week × 52). Annual from hourly = rate × hours per week × 52; at 40 hours that is the standard 2,080-hour year. Figures are gross, before tax and deductions.