Payroll Frequency Definition

Payroll frequency (or pay frequency) determines how often employees are paid (e.g., weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, and monthly).

Payroll Frequency Extended Definition
The IRS allows any payroll frequency as long as it is consistent, but individual states may have specific limits on how frequently employees must receive their wages.

When choosing a pay frequency, employers must consider any state guidelines, as well as the frequency of needing to run payroll and the convenience for the employees. The most common payroll frequency is biweekly.

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Last Updated By

Rachel Blakely-Gray | Apr 28, 2023