Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

5 U.S.C. § 5504 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 5. Government Organization and Employees § 5504. Biweekly pay periods; computation of pay

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by FindLaw Staff

(a) The pay period for an employee covers two administrative workweeks.

(b) When, in the case of an employee, it is necessary for computation of pay under this subsection to convert an annual rate of basic pay to a basic hourly, daily, weekly, or biweekly rate, the following rules govern:

(1) To derive an hourly rate, divide the annual rate by 2,087.

(2) To derive a daily rate, multiply the hourly rate by the number of daily hours of service required.

(3) To derive a weekly or biweekly rate, multiply the hourly rate by 40 or 80, as the case may be.

Rates are computed to the nearest cent, counting one-half and over as a whole cent.

(c) For the purposes of this section:

(1) The term “employee” means--

(A) an employee in or under an Executive agency;

(B) an employee in or under the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, the Botanic Garden, and the Library of Congress, for whom a basic administrative workweek is established under section 6101(a)(5) of this title; and

(C) an individual employed by the government of the District of Columbia.

(2) The term “employee” does not include--

(A) an employee on the Isthmus of Panama in the service of the Panama Canal Commission; or

(B) an employee or individual excluded from the definition of employee in section 5541(2) of this title other than an employee or individual excluded by clauses (ii), (iii), and (xiv) through (xvii) of such section.

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), an individual who otherwise would be excluded from the definition of employee shall be deemed to be an employee for purposes of this section if the individual's employing agency so elects, under guidelines in regulations promulgated by the Office of Personnel Management under subsection (d)(2).

(d)(1) The Office of Personnel Management may prescribe regulations, subject to the approval of the President, necessary for the administration of this section insofar as this section affects employees in or under an Executive agency.

(2) The Office of Personnel Management shall provide guidelines by regulation for exemptions to be made by the heads of agencies under subsection (c)(3). Such guidelines shall provide for such exemptions only under exceptional circumstances.

Back to chapter list
Previous part of code Next part of code
Back to chapter list

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - 5 U.S.C. § 5504 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 5. Government Organization and Employees § 5504. Biweekly pay periods; computation of pay - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-5-government-organization-and-employees/5-usc-sect-5504/

Read this complete 5 U.S.C. § 5504 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 5. Government Organization and Employees § 5504. Biweekly pay periods; computation of pay on Westlaw

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Search all U.S. Codes

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About the Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to find an attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

    More Options
    Copied to clipboard