When should I expect my first check?

The timing of your first paycheck depends on the payroll schedule that your employer already has in place and your first day of employment. There are a couple of scenarios you may find yourself in when starting a new job, including:

Starting on the first day of a new pay period

If you start your new job on the first day of a new pay period, you'll likely receive your first paycheck on the same day as your coworkers. However, there is also the possibility that your full paycheck will come a little late because of the required paperwork that your new employer has to complete before they process payroll, such as the new hire documents and your direct deposit request. The amount of delay you experience, if any, is dependent on the systems your new employer has set up.

Starting in the middle of a pay period

If you get hired in the middle of a pay period, your employer may pay you on schedule for the days you worked between your hire date and the end of the payroll period. Another option your employer may set up is to skip the immediate payday and instead pay you on the next paycheck for all the time you've worked since starting your job. If done this way, your first paycheck will likely be higher than you can expect from subsequent paychecks.