The short answer
A four-week pay period covers 28 days. A 52-week annual comparison contains 13 such periods, while a monthly salary normally has 12 payments.
Four weeks is not an average calendar month
Comparing the two headline amounts directly can make an equivalent offer look worse or better. Use the same annual hours, base rate and holiday-allowance treatment before comparing.
Budget for payment dates as well as annual totals
Four-week pay dates move relative to calendar-month rent and insurance bills. Keep the employer’s payroll calendar and set aside monthly costs from each payment. Actual payroll can reflect the hours and dates in a period; a yearly conversion is a comparison tool, not a guarantee that each payslip has the same net amount.
What to do next
- Find the pay period and payment calendar in the contract.
- Convert both offers to a common annual or hourly basis.
- Reserve money for calendar-month bills before spending the remainder.
An illustrative €2,600 every four weeks equals €33,800 over 13 periods. Dividing that annual comparison by 12 gives €2,816.67 per average month, before tax and any separately paid allowance.
Questions people ask
Are four-week salaries paid 13 times a year?
A 52-week comparison contains 13 four-week periods. Check the actual payroll calendar for pay dates and any period-specific adjustments.
Is four-week pay lower than monthly pay?
Not inherently. Compare annual totals and guaranteed hours rather than the amount on one payment.
Will the payment date stay the same each month?
A four-week cycle moves through the calendar. Ask for the payroll calendar so monthly bills do not catch you out.
Should I include optional overtime?
Keep it separate from guaranteed base pay. Optional hours are unsuitable for covering unavoidable monthly bills.
Does converting gross pay also convert net pay accurately?
No. Net pay depends on withholding and deductions. Convert gross values first, then use a calculation with the correct tax assumptions.
Sources
Last verified: 4 October 2026. Sources are in Dutch or English.