2026 Federal Pay Calendar: Your Guide to Pay Dates and Holidays
Get ready for the new year with the 2026 Federal Pay Calendar! This comprehensive guide provides federal employees with all the essential information they need to plan their finances and stay informed about important dates.
The 2026 calendar features 26 pay periods, with pay dates falling on every other Friday. Federal employees will also enjoy 11 federal holidays throughout the year, including New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, and Christmas Day.
Overview of the 2026 Federal Pay Calendar
The 2026 Federal Pay Calendar consists of 26 pay periods, each with a specific pay date. The pay periods run from Sunday to Saturday, and the pay dates fall on the following Friday, unless the Friday is a holiday. In that case, the pay date will be the preceding Thursday.
The 2026 Federal Pay Calendar also includes 10 holidays. These holidays are New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Holidays Observed in 2026
Innit, bruv, let’s have a cheeky look at the bants for 2026. We’ve got a right proper list of holidays to get stuck into, so grab a brew and let’s get started.
All these holidays are observed on a Monday or Friday, so you can have a right knees-up without losing any of your precious weekend.
New Year’s Day
- Date: Friday, January 1, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
Washington’s Birthday
- Date: Monday, February 16, 2026
Memorial Day
- Date: Monday, May 25, 2026
Independence Day
- Date: Friday, July 4, 2026
Labor Day
- Date: Monday, September 7, 2026
Columbus Day
- Date: Monday, October 12, 2026
Veterans Day
- Date: Friday, November 11, 2026
Thanksgiving Day
- Date: Thursday, November 26, 2026
Christmas Day
- Date: Friday, December 25, 2026
Special Pay Considerations for 2026
In 2026, federal employees will receive special pay considerations that may affect their earnings. These considerations include holiday pay, overtime pay, and leave without pay.
Holiday Pay
Federal employees are entitled to paid time off on federal holidays. In 2026, there are 10 federal holidays:
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 18)
- Washington’s Birthday (February 22)
- Memorial Day (May 31)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (September 6)
- Columbus Day (October 11)
- Veterans Day (November 11)
- Thanksgiving Day (November 25)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
Employees who work on a federal holiday are entitled to overtime pay.
Overtime Pay
Federal employees who work more than 40 hours in a week are entitled to overtime pay. Overtime pay is calculated at a rate of 1.5 times the employee’s regular pay rate.
Leave Without Pay
Federal employees may take leave without pay (LWOP) for a variety of reasons, such as personal illness, family emergencies, or military leave. LWOP is unpaid, but employees can continue to accrue benefits, such as health insurance and retirement benefits.
These special pay considerations can have a significant impact on federal employees’ pay. For example, an employee who works on a federal holiday may receive overtime pay, which can increase their earnings. An employee who takes LWOP may have a reduction in pay, but they will continue to accrue benefits.
Resources for Federal Employees
Federal employees with questions about the 2026 Federal Pay Calendar can access various resources for assistance.
Websites
- Office of Personnel Management (OPM): https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-administration/federal-holidays/
- General Services Administration (GSA): https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/office-of-the-chief-human-capital-officer/pay-leave/federal-holidays
Phone Numbers
- OPM Contact Center: 1-800-821-6094
- GSA Customer Service: 1-800-368-2453
Email Addresses
- OPM: [email protected]
- GSA: [email protected]
Answers to Common Questions
What are the pay dates for 2026?
The pay dates for 2026 can be found in the table provided in the calendar.
What federal holidays are observed in 2026?
The federal holidays observed in 2026 are: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
What are some special pay considerations for 2026?
Special pay considerations for 2026 may include holiday pay, overtime pay, or leave without pay. Federal employees should consult with their HR department for more information.
