Why Some Workers Get 3 Paychecks in May

Some workers may find themselves receiving an extra paycheck in May, depending on their pay schedule.

For those who are paid biweekly, the 26 pay periods in a year do not divide evenly across 12 months. This results in two months each year having three paydays instead of the usual two.

In 2026, May is one of those three-paycheck months for certain workers, based on when they received their first paycheck of the year.

How to determine if you’ll receive three paychecks in May

If your first paycheck of 2026 was on Friday, Jan. 2, you had a three-paycheck month in January and will have another in July.

On the other hand, if your first paycheck was on Friday, Jan. 9, you are likely to receive three paychecks in May and another three-paycheck month later in October.

Looking ahead to 2027, the calendar variations can lead to additional three-paycheck months for certain pay schedules. For instance, if Jan. 1, 2027, falls on a Friday, there will be more Friday paydays than usual.

If your first paycheck of 2027 is on Jan. 1, you will receive three paychecks in January, July, and December. Those who receive their first paycheck on Jan. 8 will have three paychecks in April and October.

While it may seem like a bonus, the extra paycheck is simply a result of the pay cycle and does not indicate additional earnings. Nevertheless, it can feel like a small victory when it happens.