Semi-monthly vs biweekly
Semi-monthly payroll has 24 checks per year. Biweekly payroll usually has 26 checks. That difference changes paycheck size, deduction timing, and monthly budget rhythm.
🧾 24-payday schedule
Semi-Monthly Pay Period Calendar 2026
Plan 2026 semi-monthly payroll with 24 sample pay dates, weekend/holiday adjustment notes, monthly tables, and biweekly comparison guidance.
Free browser tool Payroll calendars vary by employer, state, bank cutoff, and holiday rule. Use these 2026 tables for planning, then confirm final payroll dates with your HR/payroll provider.
Direct answer
Semi-monthly 2026 sample: 24 paydays
This sample uses the 15th and last day of each month, adjusted to the previous business day when a date falls on a weekend or listed US federal holiday.
Adjustment rule
This table uses a previous-business-day rule. Some employers pay after the weekend or use bank-specific cutoff rules, so confirm official payroll policy before making financial commitments.
Semi-monthly pay dates in 2026
| # | Pay date | Weekday | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 15, 2026 | Thursday | Standard payday |
| 2 | Jan 30, 2026 | Friday | Weekend-adjusted sample |
| 3 | Feb 13, 2026 | Friday | Weekend-adjusted sample |
| 4 | Feb 27, 2026 | Friday | Weekend-adjusted sample |
| 5 | Mar 13, 2026 | Friday | Weekend-adjusted sample |
| 6 | Mar 31, 2026 | Tuesday | Standard payday |
| 7 | Apr 15, 2026 | Wednesday | Standard payday |
| 8 | Apr 30, 2026 | Thursday | Weekend-adjusted sample |
| 9 | May 15, 2026 | Friday | Standard payday |
| 10 | May 29, 2026 | Friday | Weekend-adjusted sample |
| 11 | Jun 15, 2026 | Monday | Standard payday |
| 12 | Jun 30, 2026 | Tuesday | Weekend-adjusted sample |
| 13 | Jul 15, 2026 | Wednesday | Standard payday |
| 14 | Jul 31, 2026 | Friday | Standard payday |
| 15 | Aug 14, 2026 | Friday | Weekend-adjusted sample |
| 16 | Aug 31, 2026 | Monday | Standard payday |
| 17 | Sep 15, 2026 | Tuesday | Standard payday |
| 18 | Sep 30, 2026 | Wednesday | Weekend-adjusted sample |
| 19 | Oct 15, 2026 | Thursday | Standard payday |
| 20 | Oct 30, 2026 | Friday | Weekend-adjusted sample |
| 21 | Nov 13, 2026 | Friday | Weekend-adjusted sample |
| 22 | Nov 30, 2026 | Monday | Weekend-adjusted sample |
| 23 | Dec 15, 2026 | Tuesday | Standard payday |
| 24 | Dec 31, 2026 | Thursday | Standard payday |
Semi-monthly paydays by month
| Month | Payday count | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | 2 | Jan 15, 2026, Jan 30, 2026 |
| February 2026 | 2 | Feb 13, 2026, Feb 27, 2026 |
| March 2026 | 2 | Mar 13, 2026, Mar 31, 2026 |
| April 2026 | 2 | Apr 15, 2026, Apr 30, 2026 |
| May 2026 | 2 | May 15, 2026, May 29, 2026 |
| June 2026 | 2 | Jun 15, 2026, Jun 30, 2026 |
| July 2026 | 2 | Jul 15, 2026, Jul 31, 2026 |
| August 2026 | 2 | Aug 14, 2026, Aug 31, 2026 |
| September 2026 | 2 | Sep 15, 2026, Sep 30, 2026 |
| October 2026 | 2 | Oct 15, 2026, Oct 30, 2026 |
| November 2026 | 2 | Nov 13, 2026, Nov 30, 2026 |
| December 2026 | 2 | Dec 15, 2026, Dec 31, 2026 |
Related time and planning tools
FAQ
How many semi-monthly pay periods are in 2026?
Semi-monthly payroll normally has 24 pay dates: two per month.
What dates does this semi-monthly table use?
It uses the 15th and last day of each month, adjusted to the previous business day for weekends and listed US federal holidays.
Is semi-monthly the same as biweekly?
No. Semi-monthly has 24 pay dates per year, while a typical biweekly schedule has 26 pay dates.
Why do semi-monthly net checks differ from biweekly checks?
Semi-monthly pay divides annual salary into 24 checks; biweekly divides it into 26 checks. Benefit deductions may also be configured differently.
Source snapshot: Traffic Radar 2026-05-11-1933 kept “pay period calendar 2026” in the P0 time/date utility queue. Schedule data generated from 2026 calendar rules on 2026-05-11; US federal holiday reference uses observed 2026 dates. Content is original and intended as an educational planning utility.