Pay stubs are documents that detail a team member’s earnings, deductions, and net pay for a specific pay period, serving as an official record of compensation.

HR professionals often find themselves balancing the need for professional, compliant pay documentation with limited resources for payroll administration. But pay stub creation doesn’t have to drain your time or budget.

Free pay stub templates offer a practical solution to maintain professionalism while streamlining your payroll processes. Understanding how to leverage these templates, from basic versions to specialized formats for overtime and paid time off (PTO) tracking, can help you create comprehensive documentation and stay compliant with local regulations.

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Download these free pay stub templates in a Word.

What is a pay stub? 

A pay stub breaks down a person’s earnings, deductions, and net income for a specific pay period. It serves as an official record of compensation and provides transparency into how gross wages are calculated into take-home pay.

Pay stubs function as proof of income for various financial needs, including apartment rentals and loan applications. They also help people understand their compensation structure and track year-to-date totals for tax preparation.

The document typically includes several key components that work together to tell the complete compensation story:

  • Gross earnings breakdown: Regular wages, overtime, bonuses, and commissions
  • Tax withholdings: Federal, state, and local tax deductions
  • Benefit deductions: Health insurance, retirement contributions, and other voluntary deductions
  • Net pay calculation: Final take-home amount after all deductions
  • Year-to-date totals: Cumulative figures for earnings and deductions

Pay stub vs. pay statement

Pay stubs and pay statements are essentially the same document, with terminology varying by region and company preference. Some organizations use “pay statement” for the formal document, while “pay stub” refers to the detachable portion.

The frequency of these documents typically aligns with your payroll cycle—whether weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly. Regardless of terminology, the core purpose remains the same: providing transparent compensation documentation.

Why it’s important to provide clear pay stubs for your people 

Providing clear, detailed pay stubs benefits both your organization and your people in multiple ways. For HR teams, pay stubs reduce payroll inquiries and demonstrate compliance with labor regulations.

Modern payroll software makes creating professional pay stubs straightforward, eliminating the guesswork from compensation documentation. This transparency builds trust and shows your commitment to fair, open employment practices. 

Benefits of standardized pay stubs for employers:

  • Compliance with labor laws: Meet documentation requirements across different jurisdictions
  • Reduced payroll inquiries: Clear breakdowns minimize questions about deductions and calculations
  • Professional documentation: Consistent, detailed records support your organization’s credibility
  • Simplified tax reporting: Organized records streamline year-end processes

Benefits for people:

  • Clear understanding of earnings: Transparent breakdown of all compensation components
  • Documentation for financial needs: Proof of income for loans, rentals, and other applications
  • Verification of PTO and benefits: Track accruals, usage, and remaining balances
  • Tax preparation assistance: Year-to-date totals simplify filing requirements

Pay stub templates

Pay stub templates provide a structured format for presenting compensation information consistently across your organization. They save time by eliminating the need to create documents from scratch while ensuring you include all necessary information. Payroll automation tools often include template options, but standalone templates work well for smaller organizations or those transitioning between systems.

1. Basic pay stub template

Use this straightforward template to cover essential pay details. It’s ideal for salaried professionals or hourly team members without additional variables like PTO or overtime.

Field Value
Company name [Your organization’s name]
Team member name [Team member’s full name]
Pay period [Start date – end date]
Pay date [Date compensation is issued]
Position [Job title]
Gross pay [Total earnings before deductions]
Deductions [List of withholdings including taxes and benefits]
Net pay [Take-home amount after deductions]

2. Pay stub template with PTO

This version includes fields for paid time off, helping organizations track leave of absence usage and remaining balances while maintaining transparent payroll records.

Company name [Your organization’s name]
Team member name [Team member’s full name]
Pay period [Start date – end date]
Pay date [Date compensation is issued]
Position [Job title]
Gross pay [Total earnings before deductions]
Paid time off used [Hours or days of PTO taken during pay period]
PTO balance [Remaining PTO in hours or days]
Deductions [List of withholdings including taxes and benefits]
Net pay [Take-home amount after deductions]

3. Pay stub template with overtime

Designed for professionals who regularly work beyond standard hours, this template includes overtime calculations for accurate compensation and compliance.

Field Value
Company name [Your organization’s name]
Team member name [Team member’s full name]
Pay period [Start date – end date]
Pay date [Date compensation is issued]
Position [Job title]
Regular hours worked [Number of hours at standard rate]
Overtime hours worked [Number of hours at overtime rate]
Overtime rate [Multiplier or specific rate]
Gross pay [Total earnings including overtime]
Deductions [List of withholdings including taxes and benefits]
Net pay [Take-home amount after deductions]

4. Pay stub template with PTO and overtime

This comprehensive option supports professionals whose pay includes both paid time off and overtime, helping you clearly communicate all variables in one place.

Field Value
Company name [Your organization’s name]
Team member name [Team member’s full name]
Pay period [Start date – end date]
Pay date [Date compensation is issued]
Position [Job title]
Regular hours worked [Number of hours at standard rate]
Overtime hours worked [Number of hours at overtime rate]
Overtime rate [Multiplier or specific rate]
Paid time off used [Hours or days of PTO taken during pay period]
PTO balance [Remaining PTO in hours or days]
Gross pay [Total earnings including overtime and PTO]
Deductions [List of withholdings including taxes and benefits]
Net pay [Take-home amount after deductions]

5. Independent contractor pay stub template

This template is ideal for independent contractors or freelancers, offering a simplified record of project-based or hourly work without standard deductions.

Field Value
Company name [Your organization’s name]
Contractor name [Professional’s full name]
Pay period [Start date – end date]
Pay date [Date compensation is issued]
Contract type [Hourly, by project, or under a retainer]
Hours worked/Deliverables completed [Specify based on contract terms]
Rate [Hourly or project rate]
Total payment [Gross amount]
Notes [Optional: Description of work, project milestones, etc.]

6. Irregular hours pay stub template

For professionals with varying shift schedules or on-call work, this template accounts for inconsistent hours and pay rates across a pay period.

Field Value
Company name [Your organization’s name]
Team member name [Team member’s full name]
Pay period [Start date – end date]
Pay date [Date compensation is issued]
Position [Job title]
Shift hours worked [List or summarize hours across shifts or days]
Pay rate(s) [Standard, night shift, weekend, etc.]
Gross pay [Total earnings based on varying hours]
Deductions [List of withholdings including taxes and benefits]
Net pay [Take-home amount after deductions]

<< Download these free pay stub templates to simplify compensation tracking and ensure consistency across your organization. >>

Information to include on a pay stub

Providing comprehensive pay stub information protects both your organization and your people. While specific requirements vary by jurisdiction, including detailed information demonstrates transparency and professionalism. Here are a few of the most common items to include on pay stubs:

  • Team member information: Full name, address, ID number, social security number, department, and position
  • Gross earnings: Regular wages, overtime pay, bonuses, commissions, retroactive pay adjustments, and holiday pay
  • Deductions and employer contributions: Tax withholdings, federal program contributions, health insurance premiums, retirement contributions, and court-ordered deductions
  • Pay rates and hours: Hourly rate, salary amount, hours worked, overtime hours, and shift differentials. 
  • Net pay: Deductions and year-to-date net pay totals
  • Year-to-date columns: Annual compensation progress and tax planning information.

Pay stub example 

Here’s a pay stub example showing how all components work together to create comprehensive compensation documentation:

ABC Company Pay Statement
Team member: Jane Doe ID: 12345 Pay period: 01/01/2025 – 01/15/2025
Department: Marketing Position: Marketing specialist Pay date: 01/20/2025
Earnings Current period Year to date
Regular hours (80 hrs @ $25.00) $2,000.00 $2,000.00
Overtime hours (5 hrs @ $37.50) $187.50 $187.50
Gross pay $2,187.50 $2,187.50
Deductions Current period Year to date
Governing body tax $350.00 $350.00
Local tax $125.00 $125.00
Social Security $135.62 $135.62
Medicare $31.72 $31.72
Health insurance $150.00 $150.00
Retirement plan contribution $109.38 $109.38
Total deductions $901.72 $901.72
Net pay $1,285.78 $1,285.78
PTO summary Current period Available balance
PTO accrued 6.67 hours 86.67 hours
PTO used 0 hours 0 hours

Stay compliant with pay stub templates 

Compliance requirements for pay documentation differ widely between jurisdictions, which is why standardized templates are so valuable. They help ensure that all required information is included while reducing the risk of leaving out critical details.

Consistent pay documentation also makes it easier to track financial metrics across your organization. That same consistency streamlines audits and regulatory reviews, saving time and reducing stress.

To stay aligned with changing regulations, it’s best to review templates regularly. And as your organization grows into new regions, consider consulting employment law professionals to make sure your documentation remains compliant.

<< Download these free pay stub templates to save time and stay compliant—no matter your organization’s size or structure. >>

Pay stub template FAQs

Are employers legally required to provide a pay stub? 

It depends on the jurisdiction. Some regions mandate detailed pay statements, while others have only minimal requirements. Even when not required, providing clear pay documentation is a best practice that promotes transparency and builds trust with your people.

How can pay stubs be useful? 

Pay stubs give people a clear view of their earnings and deductions. They help verify pay accuracy, support financial applications by serving as proof of income, and simplify tax preparation with year-to-date totals.

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What legal requirements for pay stubs should employers know? 

Legal obligations differ by location and may cover required information fields, electronic delivery rules, record-keeping periods, and data privacy standards. Employers should review local labor laws carefully to ensure compliance.

Can I create a pay stub in Word?

While software like Word can create simple pay stubs for some countries or states, dedicated payroll software provides better accuracy, plus features like built-in compliance tools and automatic calculations. These tools also reduce errors and save time compared to manual creation methods.