Your annual salary is the same however often you are paid, but the number of paychecks changes how big each one is and how you budget.
The four common schedules
| Schedule | Paychecks per year | Gross per paycheck ($60,000) | Take-home per paycheck* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly | 52 | $1,153.85 | $969.04 |
| Every 2 weeks (biweekly) | 26 | $2,307.69 | $1,938.08 |
| Twice a month (semi-monthly) | 24 | $2,500.00 | $2,099.58 |
| Monthly | 12 | $5,000.00 | $4,199.17 |
*Single filer, no 401(k), no state income tax, 2026 rules. State tax would lower the amounts.
Biweekly vs semi-monthly
These two are often confused.
- Biweekly means every two weeks, so 26 paychecks a year, always on the same weekday.
- Semi-monthly means twice a month on fixed dates, often the 15th and the last day, so 24 paychecks a year. The gap between paychecks varies.
The "three-paycheck month"
A year has 52 weeks, so biweekly pay gives you 26 paychecks rather than 24. As a result, two months each year contain three paychecks. Those months are a good time to build savings or pay down debt instead of spending the extra check.
Does the schedule change my taxes?
Not your annual tax. Withholding is calculated per paycheck, so your take-home per paycheck changes with the schedule, but the total across the year is about the same. If you start a new job in the middle of the year, withholding may differ from your final tax, which is settled at filing.
Budgeting tip
If you pay monthly bills from biweekly pay, base your budget on two paychecks per month and treat the third as extra. To see your exact amount for your schedule, use the calculator's "Paid" menu.
Try the take-home pay calculator to see your own numbers, or pick your state from the state list.