Course Outline
Join PRO

What is the difference between biweekly and semimonthly payroll?

Author:
Harold Averkamp, CPA, MBA

Definition of Biweekly Payroll

Biweekly payroll refers to paydays that occur 26 times per year (52 weeks in a year divided by 2 weeks = 26 times per year). With 26 paydays in the year and 12 months in a year, some months will have 3 biweekly paydays since 26 paydays divided by 12 months = 2.16667 paydays per month.

Definition of Semimonthly Payroll

Semimonthly payroll refers to paydays that occur 24 times per year (12 months in a year multiplied by 2 paydays per month = 24 paydays). With 52 weeks in a year and 12 months in a year, each semimonthly pay period will have on average 2.16667 weeks per semimonthly payday.

Example of Biweekly Payroll

Let’s assume that a company pays its employees biweekly on every other Friday. If a new employee agrees to an annual salary of $52,000 the employee will be earning $2,000 ($52,000 divided by 26 paydays) during each biweekly pay period. The employee’s pay records will indicate a gross salary of $2,000 each biweekly payday.

Example of Semimonthly Payroll

Now let’s assume that another company pays its employees semimonthly on the 15th day and the last day of every month. If it hires a new employee at an annual salary of $52,000 the employee will be earning $2,166.67 ($52,000 divided by 24 paydays) during each semimonthly pay period. The employee’s pay records will indicate a gross salary of $2,166.67 each semimonthly payday.

Join PRO to Track Progress
Must-Watch Video

Learn How to Advance Your Accounting and Bookkeeping Career

  • Perform better at your current job
  • Refresh your skills to re-enter the workforce
  • Pass your accounting class
  • Understand your small business finances
Watch the Video

Join PRO or PRO Plus and Get Lifetime Access to Our Premium Materials

Read all 2,645 reviews

Features

PRO

PRO Plus

Features
Lifetime Access (One-Time Fee)
Explanations
Quizzes
Q&A
Word Scrambles
Crosswords
Bookkeeping Video Training
Financial Statements Video Training
Flashcards
Visual Tutorials
Quick Tests
Quick Tests with Coaching
Cheat Sheets
Business Forms
All PDF Files
Progress Tracking
Earn Badges and Points
Certificate - Debits and Credits
Certificate - Adjusting Entries
Certificate - Financial Statements
Certificate - Balance Sheet
Certificate - Income Statement
Certificate - Cash Flow Statement
Certificate - Working Capital
Certificate - Financial Ratios
Certificate - Bank Reconciliation
Certificate - Payroll Accounting

About the Author

Harold Averkamp

For the past 52 years, Harold Averkamp (CPA, MBA) has worked as an accounting supervisor, manager, consultant, university instructor, and innovator in teaching accounting online. He is the sole author of all the materials on AccountingCoach.com.

Learn More About Harold

Certificates of
Achievement

Certificates of Achievement

We now offer 10 Certificates of Achievement for Introductory Accounting and Bookkeeping:

  • Debits and Credits
  • Adjusting Entries
  • Financial Statements
  • Balance Sheet
  • Income Statement
  • Cash Flow Statement
  • Working Capital and Liquidity
  • Financial Ratios
  • Bank Reconciliation
  • Payroll Accounting
Badges and Points
  • Work towards and earn 30 badges
  • Earn points as you work towards completing our course
View PRO Plus Features
Course Outline
Take the Tour Join Pro Upgrade to Pro Plus