A payroll schedule with two paydays each month, typically on the 15th and the last day of the month, governs the distribution of employee wages and salaries. For example, a business operating on this type of schedule in 2025 would issue payments twelve times throughout the year, twice within each calendar month. Variations exist where specific, pre-determined dates are used instead, offering consistency across different month lengths.
Structured payment schedules offer several advantages. They provide employees with predictable income, facilitating personal budgeting and financial planning. For businesses, consistent payroll cycles simplify accounting processes, improve accuracy, and ensure timely compliance with tax regulations. Historically, these schedules evolved with industrialization and the rise of regular wage labor, replacing less frequent or irregular payment methods.