You may have a three-payday October: How to tell

(NEXSTAR) — For spooky fans and trick-or-treat lovers, this October is going to be extra special with Halloween falling on a Friday, giving way to a weekend of eerie activities. For some, that Friday will be extra wicked, but for a good reason.

October marks the last three-payday month of 2025, giving some workers a “bonus” payment for the first time since May.

While nearly all employees who are paid weekly will automatically receive an extra paycheck this month (five instead of four), not every worker who is paid bi-weekly will.

Here’s how to know if you’ll receive an extra paycheck in October, and if not, when your next three-payday month will happen.

Will I get a third paycheck in October?

The easiest way is, of course, to wait for Friday. If you get paid, you’ll see two more paychecks (or four, if you’re paid weekly) before October is over.

If you don’t want to wait that long, you can look back at the last time you were paid: if it was this past Friday, you won’t see a three-payday month until 2026. If you were not paid on Friday, Sept. 26, you’re in line for an “extra” paycheck in October.

When is my next three-payday month?

This depends on how many times you’re paid in October.

Those who receive only two bi-weekly checks have to wait until January 2026 for their next three-payday month.

If you do get an extra payment in October, your next bonus pay month is May 2026.

For those paid weekly, you’ll receive an additional payment in both months.

What causes triple-payday months?

There aren’t an even number of weeks to align with the number of months in our calendar year. To get all 52 weeks into our 12-month year, some end up with five seven-day weeks instead of four.

That ultimately gives way to two months in which you, as a worker paid bi-weekly, get three paychecks.

In 2026, the months with “extra” paychecks are January, May, July, and October.

This also means the paychecks aren’t really “extra,” and financial experts warn against viewing them as such. Instead, they should be treated as just another part of your income you receive annually.