Fast Company: Some Workers to Receive an Extra Paycheck in October

October 2026 is set to bring an extra payday for certain American workers. This phenomenon, where a month includes three pay periods instead of the usual two, occurs during months that feature five Fridays, and October is one such month in 2026.

For the majority of Americans paid bi-weekly, an additional paycheck falls within months containing five Fridays. In 2026, these months have included January and July, with October marking the final occurrence this year. Those paid weekly have seen multiple extra paychecks throughout the year.

According to Alliant Credit Union, an individual's specific pay schedule determines if they will receive an extra paycheck in October. For instance, if an employee's first paycheck of 2026 was on Friday, January 2, their three-paycheck months were January and July. If their first paycheck was on Friday, January 9, they would have had a three-paycheck month in May and will have another in October.

Looking ahead to 2027, there will be five months with five Fridays: January, April, July, October, and December. For those paid bi-weekly who missed out on an extra check in October 2026, their next opportunity will be in January 2027. For those receiving a third paycheck this October, their next occurrences will be in April and October of 2027.