1. Did paid hours change?
Compare regular, overtime, holiday, sick and vacation hours separately. A schedule can feel equally busy while the paid categories differ. Payroll cutoffs may also move late shifts into the next period.
2. Did your rate or overtime multiplier change?
Confirm that the listed rate matches the period in which the work occurred. Raises sometimes begin mid-period. Overtime rules differ by jurisdiction, contract and job classification, so use official guidance for legal questions.
3. Is gross pay lower or only net pay?
If gross pay is lower, focus on hours, rate and earnings lines. If gross pay is the same but net pay is lower, focus on taxes and deductions. That single distinction narrows the search quickly.
4. Did withholding or a benefit deduction change?
Tax withholding can change after a form update, bonus, payroll correction or change in taxable wages. Insurance, retirement, flexible spending, union dues or other deductions may begin on a specific date or occur only in certain pay periods.
5. Was the prior check unusually high?
The current check may be normal while the prior one included overtime, a bonus, reimbursement, retroactive pay or a correction. Compare both directions; do not treat the larger check as the automatic baseline.
6. Is part of the payment somewhere else?
Look for multiple direct-deposit accounts, a paper check, a reimbursement line or an off-cycle payment. The amount arriving in one bank account may be less than the total net pay.
When to ask payroll
Bring the two paystubs, your time record and one specific question. For example: “My regular hours match, but this deduction increased from $X to $Y. What caused the change?” A narrow question is easier to resolve than “my check is wrong.”
Compare the checks side by side
Paycheck Radar highlights changes while keeping missing data unknown. You review the scan before anything is added to history.
Frequently asked questions
Does a smaller paycheck mean my employer made a mistake?
Not necessarily. It is a reason to compare the details, not proof of an error.
Can a tax increase even if my pay did not?
Withholding can change for several reasons. Compare taxable wages and withholding forms, then ask payroll or a tax professional if the reason is unclear.
What if the two paystubs are identical?
That is still useful: it confirms no detected category changed. Keep the comparison as a baseline for the next check.