If you're wondering why your paycheck shows a specific number of hours (like 86.67), this article explains how we calculate those numbers for different pay schedules and situations.
Standard Hours by Pay Frequency
Your paycheck shows hours based on your pay frequency, calculated from standard annual working hours (2,080 hours per year):
Pay Frequency | Hours per Period | Pay Periods per Year |
Weekly | 40 hours | 52 periods |
Bi-weekly | 80 hours | 26 periods |
Semi-monthly | 86.67 hours | 24 periods |
Monthly | 173.33 hours | 12 periods |
Why 86.67 Hours for Semi-Monthly?
Semi-monthly pay periods don't align perfectly with weeks. The calculation is:
Annual hours: 2,080 hours (40 hours/week × 52 weeks)
Semi-monthly periods per year: 24 (twice per month)
Hours per period: 2,080 ÷ 24 = 86.67 hours
This represents the average hours across all semi-monthly periods in a year, since some periods include parts of three different weeks while others span just two weeks.
When Your Hours Will Be Different
Mid-Period Start Dates
If you start employment in the middle of a pay period, your hours will be prorated based on working days.
Example: Starting July 7th in a July 1-15 semi-monthly period
Total working days in period: 11 days (July 1-4, 7-11, 14-15)
Working days you were employed: 7 days (July 7-11, 14-15)
Percentage of period worked: 7 ÷ 11 = 63.64%
Your prorated hours: 86.67 × 63.64% = 55.15 hours
Pay Rate Changes Mid-Period
If you receive a raise or pay change during a pay period, your hours may be split between the old and new rates.
Example: Raise on February 10th in a February 1-15 semi-monthly period
Total working days in period: 10 days
Days at old rate (Feb 1-9): 5 days = 50% of period
Days at new rate (Feb 10-15): 5 days = 50% of period
Hours shown: 86.67 × 50% = 43.34 hours for each rate
Partial Employment Periods
If you take unpaid leave or have a gap in employment during a pay period, hours are prorated accordingly.
Different Calculations for Fixed vs. Variable Pay Frequencies
Fixed Pay Frequencies (Weekly, Bi-weekly)
These always have the same number of working days, so calculations are straightforward:
Weekly: Always 5 working days = 40 hours
Bi-weekly: Always 10 working days = 80 hours
Variable Pay Frequencies (Semi-monthly, Monthly)
These can have different numbers of working days depending on how calendar dates fall:
Semi-monthly: Can range from 8-12 working days depending on weekends and holidays
Monthly: Can range from 20-23 working days
For variable frequencies, we use the percentage method described above to ensure accurate prorations.
Hourly vs. Salaried Employees
Salaried Employees
Hours shown represent the standard calculation for your pay frequency
Used for payroll processing and compliance reporting
Your actual pay is based on your annual salary divided by pay periods per year
Hourly Employees
Hours shown represent actual hours worked
Pay = hours worked × hourly rate
Why We Show Hours for Salaried Employees
Even though you're paid a fixed salary, we show hours because:
Payroll compliance: Required for tax calculations and reporting
Benefits calculations: Used for determining hourly equivalent rates
Overtime eligibility: Helps determine if overtime rules apply
Transparency: Shows how your pay period compensation is calculated
Common Questions
"Why do my semi-monthly paychecks show different hours sometimes?"
Semi-monthly periods can have different numbers of working days. While we use the standard 86.67 hours for full periods, prorations due to start dates, pay changes, or leaves will show different amounts.
"My bi-weekly paycheck shows exactly 80 hours, but my semi-monthly shows 86.67. Why?"
This is normal! Bi-weekly periods always have exactly 10 working days (80 hours), while semi-monthly periods average 10.83 working days across the year (86.67 hours).
"I worked 7 days but my paycheck shows 55 hours. Is this wrong?"
If you started mid-period, this is likely correct. The hours represent your prorated portion of the standard semi-monthly calculation, not literal hours worked.
Getting Help
If you're still unclear about your specific situation:
Check your start date and pay period dates
Count the working days you were employed during the period
Calculate the percentage: (your working days ÷ total working days in period)
Multiply by standard hours for your pay frequency