If you get paid every two weeks, when will you get your first paycheck? The timing of your pay is one of the most important things to know when you’re about to start a new job. It’s also important to know when you’ll collect your last paycheck if you move on. Will you have to wait for it, or will you get paid upontermination of employment? Here's what you need to know.
When Do You Get Paid After Starting a Job?
When you receive yourfirst paycheckdepends on the timing of the company's payroll and when you start employment.
Company Pay Schedules
Most employers pay their employees on a weekly or biweekly (every other week) basis. Some employers pay monthly; other employers pay on set dates, for example, on the 1st and 15th of every month. You may be paid:
- Weekly: Paid every week on a scheduled day of the week. (Example: payday is every Friday)
- Biweekly: Paid every two weeks on a scheduled day of the week. (Example: paydays are every other Friday)
- Monthly: Paid once a month on a specific date. (Example: payday is the 1st of each month)
- Bimonthly: Paid twice a month on specific dates. (Example: paydays are the 15th and 30th of each month)
Company Pay Periods
Payroll checks may be issued at the end of each pay period worked, or there may be a lag and your paycheck may be issued a week or two (or longer)after you begin work. At the latest, you should be paid by the company's regular pay date for the first pay period that you worked.
Note
If you’re not advised about paydayduring orientationor when you complete your new employee paperwork, check with your manager or thehuman resources (HR) department to get the details.
State Payday Requirements
Some states have payday requirements that regulate when employees must be paid. For example, employees in Maine must be paid at regular intervals not to exceed 16 days.
In Arizona, payday must be two or more days in a month, not more than 16 days apart. Some states require weekly or biweekly pay, while others permit monthly pay schedules.
How Much to Expect in Your Check
The amount you receive in yourfirst paycheckdepends on deductions for federal, state, and local taxes. There may also be deductions for your share of employee benefits payments.
Your employer will ask you to complete aW-4 formso that the company will know how much tax to deduct from your check.
When you get paid, you will receive a paper, electronic, or online pay stub, which will itemize your gross pay, deductions, and net pay. Here's a list ofwhat is included on a pay stub.
Note
Here's how to figure out exactly how much your net pay will be after federal taxes, state taxes, and any other applicabledeductionsare taken out.
How Will You Receive Your Check?
Direct Deposit
You may not actually receive a physical paper check. Many companies choose topay employers through direct deposit, having their bank place the money in your bank account. If your employer pays with direct deposit, you'll have to fill out a form—or, in some cases, provide a voided check—to share your bank account information with your employer.
Note
Direct deposit is convenient for both employers and employees: There isno chance of the check being lost in the mail when it's transferred directly into a bank account.
Paper Check
If your employer does not have direct deposit available, then you will be paid with a paper check. This may be mailed to the home address you provided or delivered to you at work, or you may have to pick up a check from a set location.
Payroll Debit Card
Some companies offer employees the option to be paid with a deposit to a payroll debit card instead of direct-depositing their pay or giving them a paper check.
Company Pay Policies
However you receive your payment, the method of delivery should be clear and transparent. Typically, employers will share information on the payment process on your first day of employment duringnew job orientation.
When Will You Get Your Last Paycheck?
When youresign or are terminated from a job, one of the first questions you may have is, "When will I get my final paycheck?" The answer is that it depends. When you receive your final paycheck depends on state law and company policy. There is no federal law requiring employers to pay youon the last dayworked. However, some states may require that you be paid right away or within a certain time period after employment ends.
If you arelaid off or fired from your job, in many cases, your employer will have your final paycheck ready for you at the time you're fired. However, that isn't guaranteed.
Note
When you get your final paycheck depends on state law and on company policy.
There is no federal law requiring employers to pay you on the last day worked, but some states may require that you be paid immediately. Some employers may opt to pay you immediately, especially if you have been fired, regardless of the law in your state.
At the very latest, you should receive your last check on the regular pay date for the last pay period that you worked for the company.
Check with the HR department at your company. They should be able to advise you on when you will be paid and what will be included in the check. If you have unusedpersonal time off (PTO) orvacationorsick leave, that will typically be included in your final check.
