Semi-monthly pay means you receive a paycheque exactly twice per month — 24 times per year — on fixed calendar dates such as the 1st and 15th, or the 15th and last business day of the month. For an employee earning $80,000 per year, each semi-monthly paycheque is $3,333 gross — slightly larger than a biweekly cheque ($3,077), because there are two fewer pay periods.
Use the salary converter below to calculate your semi-monthly gross pay and compare it with other pay frequencies.
This calculator shows gross pay conversions. For a full after-tax breakdown including CPP, EI, and provincial income taxes, use our biweekly paycheque calculator — your semi-monthly net is approximately 26/24 × the biweekly result (i.e., slightly higher per period).
What is semi-monthly pay?
Semi-monthly pay schedules divide the year into 24 equal pay periods. Unlike biweekly pay — which issues a paycheque every two weeks regardless of which date it falls on — semi-monthly pay always falls on the same calendar dates each month. Common examples:
- 1st and 15th of every month
- 15th and last business day of every month
This date predictability makes semi-monthly pay popular in organizations where payroll aligns tightly with monthly budget and accounting cycles.
Semi-monthly vs. biweekly: the key difference
These two pay schedules are frequently confused. Here is the core distinction:
| Feature | Semi-Monthly | Biweekly |
|---|---|---|
| Pay periods per year | 24 | 26 |
| Pay dates | Same dates every month | Every two weeks (shifts across the calendar) |
| $70,000 salary — gross per period | $2,917 | $2,692 |
| Three-cheque months? | Never | 2 months per year |
| Most common in | Government, finance, healthcare | Private sector broadly |
Semi-monthly is administratively simpler for companies that track monthly budgets. Biweekly is more common in private sector employment in Canada overall.
Who uses semi-monthly pay in Canada?
Semi-monthly pay schedules are most common in:
- Federal and provincial government positions
- Banking and financial services
- Healthcare administration (hospitals, health authorities)
- Universities and colleges
- Legal and professional services firms
- Large corporations with sophisticated payroll systems
If you are switching from biweekly to semi-monthly pay (or vice versa), your net monthly take-home remains the same annually — but your per-period amount and pay dates change. Review any automatic bill payments that may have been set up around a biweekly schedule.
Gross semi-monthly pay by salary
Formula: Annual salary ÷ 24
| Annual Salary | Semi-Monthly Gross | Biweekly Gross (comparison) |
|---|---|---|
| $45,000 | $1,875 | $1,731 |
| $55,000 | $2,292 | $2,115 |
| $65,000 | $2,708 | $2,500 |
| $75,000 | $3,125 | $2,885 |
| $90,000 | $3,750 | $3,462 |
| $110,000 | $4,583 | $4,231 |
| $130,000 | $5,417 | $5,000 |
CPP and EI deductions per semi-monthly period
Annual CPP and EI maximums are the same regardless of pay frequency — they are simply spread across 24 periods instead of 26, making each semi-monthly deduction slightly larger.
| Deduction | Annual Maximum | Per Semi-Monthly Period | Per Biweekly Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPP1 (employee, 5.95%) | $4,034.10 | ~$168.09 | ~$155.16 |
| CPP2 (earnings above $71,300) | $396.00 | ~$16.50 | ~$15.23 |
| EI premium (employee, 1.63%) | $1,123.07 | ~$46.79 | ~$43.20 |
Once you reach the CPP annual maximum ($4,034.10), CPP1 deductions stop for the year — typically around September or October for someone earning at or near $71,300. EI deductions stop once you reach $1,123.07. On a semi-monthly schedule, you reach these maximums approximately one pay period earlier in the year than on biweekly.
For a complete explanation of what each deduction funds and how your employer contributes, see how payroll deductions work in Canada.
Budgeting on a semi-monthly schedule
Semi-monthly pay offers one significant budgeting advantage: your pay dates are always predictable and aligned to the calendar. If your rent or mortgage comes out on the 1st, you know exactly when your paycheque arrives. There are no months with surprise “extra” or “missing” paycheques.
For biweekly earners, two months per year have three paycheques — a bonus that requires planning if your fixed expenses are calibrated to two-paycheque months.
One semi-monthly budgeting tip: the two pay periods within a month are unequal in calendar days (the first period might be 14 days, the second 15–17 days). If you pay variable expenses by actual calendar date, this can create slight cash-flow unevenness — plan accordingly.
Related calculators and guides
- Biweekly Paycheque Calculator — Full CPP, EI, and after-tax breakdown for all provinces
- Weekly Paycheque Calculator — For weekly pay schedules (52 periods)
- Salary Calculator — Canada — Convert between all pay frequencies instantly
- How Payroll Deductions Work in Canada — Full explanation of CPP, EI, and tax withholding
FAQ
Is semi-monthly the same as twice a month?
Yes — semi-monthly means exactly twice per calendar month, every month, for 24 total paycheques per year. This is different from biweekly (every two weeks), which produces 26 paycheques per year. In two months of a biweekly schedule, employees receive three cheques instead of two. Semi-monthly employees always receive exactly two.
Does semi-monthly pay affect my annual taxes?
No. Your total annual earnings and tax liability are identical regardless of pay frequency. Your employer withholds 1/24 of your estimated annual tax each period — the same total as if you were paid biweekly (1/26) or weekly (1/52).
Which is better: semi-monthly or biweekly?
For salaried employees, there is no difference in annual take-home pay. Semi-monthly offers more predictable budgeting with fixed pay dates. Biweekly results in two months per year with an extra paycheque, which some people use for savings or lump-sum debt payments. The best choice is usually whatever your employer offers.
My employer is switching from biweekly to semi-monthly. Will I earn less?
No — your annual salary stays the same. Each individual paycheque will be slightly larger (annual ÷ 24 vs. annual ÷ 26), but you receive two fewer paycheques per year. Total annual take-home is unchanged. Review your automatic payments and budget to align with the new fixed pay dates.
How do I calculate my semi-monthly salary from an hourly rate?
Multiply your hourly rate by weekly hours by 52 (annual), then divide by 24. Example: $28/hr × 40 hours × 52 weeks = $58,240 per year ÷ 24 = $2,427 semi-monthly gross. Use our hourly to salary calculator for the full breakdown.
Can I receive my semi-monthly pay at different times than the 1st and 15th?
Yes — common alternatives include the 15th and the last business day, or the 10th and 25th. The specific dates are set by your employer’s payroll policy. What makes a schedule semi-monthly is that pay always falls on the same calendar dates each month (versus biweekly, where the date shifts).