1. Home
  2. Compliance
  3. State-by-state final pay laws

State-by-state final pay laws

Due to the numerous state laws regarding the delivery of an employee’s final paycheck, it can be challenging for employers to navigate. This chart provides a breakdown of the different timelines for each state, outlining when the final paycheck must be issued. We will keep this table regularly updated, but be sure to double-check with the state’s Department of Labor in case the laws have changed.

StateIf the Employee QuitsIf the Employee is Terminated
AlabamaNo lawNo law
AlaskaNext scheduled payday that’s at least 3 days after the employee gives noticeWithin 3 working days of termination
ArizonaNext scheduled paydayWhichever is first: within 7 working days or next payday
ArkansasNext scheduled paydayNext scheduled payday, or within 7 working days if the employee demands it. (employer will owe 2x the wages if not paid within 7 days)
CaliforniaWithin 72 hours or immediately if the employee gave at least 72 hours’ noticeImmediately (employees can recover penalties for everyday wages are withheld)
ColoradoNext scheduled paydayImmediately
ConnecticutNext scheduled paydayNext business day
DelawareNext scheduled paydayNext scheduled payday
District of ColumbiaWhichever is first: within 7 days or next paydayNext business day
FloridaNo lawNo law
GeorgiaNo lawNo law
HawaiiImmediately if employee gives one pay period notice, or scheduled paydayImmediately or next business day
IdahoWhichever is first: within 10 days or next payday. If employee provides a written request for earlier payment, within 48 hours of receiving the request.Whichever is first: within 10 days or next payday. If employee provides a written request for earlier payment, within 48 hours of receiving the request.
IllinoisImmediately if possible but no later than next scheduled paydayImmediately if possible but no later than next scheduled payday
IndianaNext scheduled paydayNext scheduled payday
IowaNext scheduled paydayNext scheduled payday
KansasNext scheduled paydayNext scheduled payday
KentuckyWhichever is later: within 14 days or next scheduled paydayWhichever is later: within 14 days or next scheduled payday
LouisianaWhichever is first: next scheduled payday or within 15 daysWhichever is first: next scheduled payday or within 15 days
MaineWhichever is first: next scheduled payday or within 2 weeks of employee’s demandWhichever is first: next scheduled payday or within 2 weeks of employee’s demand
MarylandNext scheduled paydayNext scheduled payday
MassachusettsNext scheduled paydayImmediately
MichiganAll wages earned are due as soon as the amount can be determinedAll wages earned are due as soon as the amount can be determined
MinnesotaNext payday that’s at least 5 days after an employee’s last day but no more than 20 days after the last day worked.Within 24 hours of demand
MississippiNo lawNo law
MissouriNo lawImmediately
MontanaWhichever is first: next scheduled payday or within 15 daysImmediately (within 4 hours or the end of the same business day)
NebraskaWhichever is first: next scheduled payday or within two weeksWhichever is first: next scheduled payday or within two weeks
NevadaWhichever is first: within 7 days or next paydayImmediately
New HampshireNext scheduled payday, or within 72 hours if the employee gives one period pay noticeWithin 72 hours
New JerseyNext scheduled paydayNext scheduled payday
New MexicoNext scheduled paydayNext scheduled payday (task, piece, and commission wages due within 10 days). If wages are a fixed amount, they are due within 5 days of termination.
New YorkNext scheduled paydayNext scheduled payday
North CarolinaNext scheduled payday, or before. Either by regular way wages are paid, or by mail. Employee’s decision.Next scheduled payday, or before. Either by regular way wages are paid, or by mail. Employee’s decision.
North DakotaNext scheduled paydayNext scheduled payday
OhioWhichever is first: next scheduled payday or within 15 daysWhichever is first: next scheduled payday or within 15 days
OklahomaNext scheduled payday, or within 14 days, whichever is laterNext scheduled payday, or within 14 days, whichever is later

Oregon
Immediately if the employee gave 48 hours’ notice, otherwise within 5 days, or the next payday, whichever comes firstBy the end of the next business day
PennsylvaniaNext scheduled payday (If the employee requests the final check to be mailed, then the company is required to do so).Next scheduled payday (If the employee requests the final check to be mailed, then the company is required to do so).
Rhode IslandNext scheduled paydayNext scheduled payday
South CarolinaWithin 48 hours or next scheduled payday not to exceed 30 daysWithin 48 hours or next scheduled payday not to exceed 30 days
South DakotaNext scheduled payday, or the employer can hold the final pay until company property is returned.Next scheduled payday, or the employer can hold the final pay until company property is returned.  
TennesseeWithin 21 days or the next regular payday, whichever occurs laterWithin 21 days or the next regular payday, whichever occurs later
TexasNext scheduled paydayWithin 6 calendar days
UtahNext scheduled paydayWithin 24 hours
VermontWhichever is first: next scheduled payday or if there is no regular payday, then the next FridayWithin 72 hours from the time of discharge
VirginiaNext scheduled paydayNext scheduled payday
WashingtonNext scheduled paydayNext scheduled payday
West VirginiaNext scheduled paydayNext scheduled payday
WisconsinNext scheduled paydayNext scheduled payday
WyomingNext scheduled paydayNext scheduled payday


Was this article helpful?

Related Articles