How Many Work Days in a Month
A month has 20 to 23 weekdays, and 19 to 23 work days once federal holidays come out. In 2027 the range is 19 to 23: January has 19, March has 23. Each work day is 8 hours worked; a month with a federal holiday adds 8 hours of holiday pay per holiday, so November 2027 is 160 hours worked plus 16 holiday. Banks count differently in two 2027 months, June and December, because the Federal Reserve stays open on three Fridays federal offices take off.
| 2027 | Work days | Hours | Banks (ACH) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19 | 152 + 16 holiday | 19 |
| February | 19 | 152 + 8 holiday | 19 |
| March | 23 | 184 | 23 |
| April | 22 | 176 | 22 |
| May | 20 | 160 + 8 holiday | 20 |
| June | 21 | 168 + 8 holiday | 22 |
| July | 21 | 168 + 8 holiday | 21 |
| August | 22 | 176 | 22 |
| September | 21 | 168 + 8 holiday | 21 |
| October | 20 | 160 + 8 holiday | 20 |
| November | 20 | 160 + 16 holiday | 20 |
| December | 21 | 168 + 16 holiday | 23 |
| Year | 249 | 1992 + 96 holiday | 252 |
In 2027 a month has 19 to 23 work days for federal offices.
Work days are Monday to Friday minus federal holidays (5 U.S.C. 6103, observed dates). Hours are 8 a day: hours worked plus 8 hours of holiday pay for each weekday holiday. Banks (ACH) follow the Federal Reserve holiday schedule (Federal Reserve Board K.8). Why the 2027 year comes to 249 for federal offices and 252 for banks is on how many working days in a year. Last updated: October 29, 2026 (U.S. Central time).
Three 2027 Fridays: federal offices closed, banks open
Federal offices and the Federal Reserve observe the same holidays but move a Saturday holiday differently. Federal employees get the Friday before off. The Federal Reserve Banks stay open that Friday, so ACH payments and direct deposits settle as usual. A Sunday holiday moves to Monday for both.
| 2027 date | Holiday | Federal offices | Federal Reserve / ACH |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Jun 18 | Juneteenth (Saturday, June 19) | Closed | Open |
| Mon, Jul 5 | Independence Day (Sunday, July 4) | Closed | Closed |
| Fri, Dec 24 | Christmas Day (Saturday, December 25) | Closed | Open |
| Fri, Dec 31 | New Year's Day 2028 (Saturday, January 1, 2028) | Closed | Open |
That is why June 2027 has 21 work days for federal offices and 22 for banks, and December has 21 and 23. A transfer scheduled for June 18, December 24 or December 31 goes through; one scheduled for July 5 waits until Tuesday, July 6. OPM's rule: "If a holiday falls on a Saturday, for most Federal employees, the preceding Friday will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes." The Federal Reserve's K.8 schedule: "For holidays falling on Saturday, Federal Reserve Banks and Branches will be open the preceding Friday," and it names June 18, December 24 and December 31, 2027. The calculator below switches between the two calendars.
Work days and hours for any month
21 work days
168 hours worked + 16 hours holiday = 184 hours at 8 a day
Closed: Fri, Dec 24, Christmas Day (observed), Fri, Dec 31, New Year's Day 2028 (observed).
Fri, Dec 24: federal offices closed for Christmas Day (observed); Federal Reserve Banks open and ACH runs. Fri, Dec 31: federal offices closed for New Year's Day 2028 (observed); Federal Reserve Banks open and ACH runs. Federal offices 21, banks 23.
Hours worked and hours paid in a holiday month
A holiday takes 8 hours off the hours worked but not off the hours paid, for anyone whose employer pays holidays. Hours paid in a month are the weekdays times 8; hours worked are the work days times 8. In 2027:
- January: 21 weekdays, 19 work days. 152 hours worked + 16 holiday (New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day) = 168 hours paid.
- November: 22 weekdays, 20 work days. 160 hours worked + 16 holiday (Veterans Day, Thanksgiving) = 176 hours paid.
- December: 23 weekdays, 21 work days for federal offices. 168 hours worked + 16 holiday (December 24 and 31) = 184 hours paid.
An hourly employee without holiday pay is paid for the hours worked only, so the same January is 152 hours, not 168. A salaried employee is paid the same each month whatever the count.
Each month's range, 2026 to 2030
The same month changes from year to year because it starts on a different weekday and its holidays move. November never has more than 20 work days: Veterans Day and Thanksgiving are both observed on a weekday in November every year from 2026 to 2030. February is 19 or 20, and March and August reach 23. The twelve months of each year add up to the totals on how many working days in a year.
| Month | Weekdays | Work days (federal offices) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 21–23 | 19–21 |
| February | 20–21 | 19–20 |
| March | 21–23 | 21–23 |
| April | 20–22 | 20–22 |
| May | 21–23 | 20–22 |
| June | 20–22 | 19–21 |
| July | 21–23 | 20–22 |
| August | 21–23 | 21–23 |
| September | 20–22 | 19–21 |
| October | 21–23 | 20–22 |
| November | 21–22 | 19–20 |
| December | 21–23 | 20–22 |
Questions
What is the average number of work days in a month?
The year's work days divided by 12: 249 ÷ 12 = 20.75 in 2027 for federal offices. The yearly totals for 2026 to 2030 are on how many working days in a year.
How many work hours are in a month?
The work days times 8: 152 to 184 hours worked in 2027. With holiday pay added, a month is its weekdays times 8. The yearly count is on how many work hours in a year.
How do I count work days between two dates?
Use the business days calculator, or the business day calendar to tap two days in a month.
Counts are computed in your browser from U.S. federal holidays in 5 U.S.C. 6103 with OPM's observed dates, and the Federal Reserve holiday schedule (Federal Reserve Board K.8, 2026–2030). Your employer's own holiday list decides your count.