How to Calculate Bi-Weekly Payroll
A "Bi-Weekly" pay schedule is the most common payroll frequency in the United States. It simply means that employees receive a paycheck every two weeks, resulting in exactly 26 paychecks per year. While the concept sounds simple, the actual math behind calculating bi-weekly hours—especially when overtime is involved—can trip up both employers and employees.
The "80-Hour Myth"
For a standard, full-time employee, a bi-weekly period consists of 80 hours (40 hours in Week 1 + 40 hours in Week 2). Because of this, many people mistakenly believe that overtime only occurs if you work more than 80 hours in a two-week period. This is false.
The Federal FLSA Overtime Rule
According to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), you generally calculate overtime weekly, not bi-weekly. Any time worked over 40 hours in a single, fixed 168-hour workweek must be paid at time-and-a-half (1.5x). You cannot "average" hours across two weeks to avoid paying overtime.
Real-World Examples
Let's look at how the 40-hour rule applies to a bi-weekly paycheck. Assume John works the following hours:
- Scenario A (The Illegal Average): John works 50 hours in Week 1, and 30 hours in Week 2. His total is 80 hours. His employer pays him for 80 regular hours. This is illegal wage theft.
- Scenario B (The Correct Math): John works 50 hours in Week 1, and 30 hours in Week 2. For Week 1, he earns 40 Regular Hours + 10 Overtime Hours. For Week 2, he earns 30 Regular hours. His final paycheck should reflect 70 Regular Hours and 10 Overtime Hours.
Our Bi-Weekly Calculator automatically runs this exact logic for you, ensuring that Week 1 and Week 2 are calculated independently before combining the totals.
Bi-Weekly vs. Semi-Monthly
Many new business owners and employees confuse these two schedules. Here is the difference:
- Bi-Weekly: Paid every 2 weeks (e.g., every other Friday). This results in 26 checks per year. Twice a year, you will receive three paychecks in a single month (often called "three-paycheck months").
- Semi-Monthly: Paid twice a month (e.g., on the 1st and the 15th). This results in exactly 24 checks per year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours is full-time bi-weekly?
Typically, 80 hours is considered a standard full-time bi-weekly schedule. However, some companies define full-time status as 35 or 37.5 hours per week, which would equal 70 or 75 hours bi-weekly.
Can I carry over hours from Week 1 to Week 2?
No. Each workweek stands alone under federal labor law. If you work 45 hours in Week 1, you cannot work 35 hours in Week 2 to "even it out" to 80 regular hours. You must be paid 5 hours of overtime for Week 1.
Do unpaid lunch breaks count toward my 80 hours?
No. Bona fide meal breaks (usually 30 minutes or more where you are completely relieved of duties) are not considered work time and should not be included when calculating your weekly or bi-weekly totals.