Salary
Check with your employer to learn how often you will be paid. Most students get paid weekly or every other week. Typically you will receive a paycheck that you deposit into your bank account. Some employers may offer the option of direct deposit, which means that your salary will be deposited directly into your account. In either case, your employer will give you a salary statement, paystub, or pay slip, which will show the hours you worked and the amount you were paid. It will also contain information about the taxes and other deductions taken out of your paycheck. Depending on your agreement with your employer, you might also have uniform, housing, union membership dues, or other work-related items deducted from your salary.
After you receive your first paycheck, review it to ensure there are no errors. If you have questions about your paycheck, speak with your employer. Remember that you do not pay Social Security and Medicare taxes – if these were deducted in error, speak with your employer.
Minimum Wage
There is a minimum wage that employers in the U.S. are required to pay. For current information, visit www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/america.htm. Please note that the wage for some positions earning tips (for example waiter or waitress) may be less than the minimum wage.
Overtime
At times, there may be opportunities to work additional hours. As a new employee, it is a good idea to accept these overtime hours when possible. Many companies will pay you one-and-a-half times more than the normal wage rate for extra hours. Ask your employer for company overtime policies.