InterObservers.

Final paycheck laws by state

The short answer

Federal law does not require an immediate final paycheck (U.S. Department of Labor). For fired employees, 29 of 51 jurisdictions (the 50 states and DC) have a verified state rule: 18 tie final pay to a regular payday, 6 set it at the time of discharge or by the next working day, and 5 set a number of hours or days. For employees who quit, 29 have a verified rule. 22 jurisdictions have no verified rule on this page yet; their rows link to the official source.

See all 51 states
29 of 51verified for fired employees
29 of 51verified for employees who quit
22not verified yet (row links to the official source)

Rules verified Sep 24, 2026; each row shows its own date. · How we verify every rule

General information, not legal advice. This page is for general information only and isn’t legal, financial or tax advice. Laws vary by state and change; check the official source or talk to a qualified professional about your situation. Every rule on this page links to its official source.

Final paycheck laws: all 50 states and DC

One row per state. A rule appears only after it was checked against official sources, with the law linked next to it. Where we have not verified a rule, the row says so and links to the official source to check. Where a state has several cases, the row lists them in short form; the state page has the full text.

Jump to a state
Final paycheck laws: all 50 states and DC. 29 of 51 verified.
StateFiredQuitVerified
Alabama

Not verified yet. Check the official source (dol.gov).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (dol.gov).

Not verified yet
Alaska

Within 3 working days. If the employer ends the employment, for any reason, final wages are due within three working days after the termination. (Alaska Stat. § 23.05.140(b))

Next regular pay day. If the employee quits, final wages are due at the next regular payday that is at least three days after the employer received notice of the employee's termination of services. (Alaska Stat. § 23.05.140(b))

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official sources
Arizona

Not verified yet. Check the official source (azleg.gov).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (azleg.gov).

Not verified yet
Arkansas

Not verified yet. Check the official source (labor.arkansas.gov).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (labor.arkansas.gov).

Not verified yet
California
California final paycheck law

Immediately. When an employer discharges an employee, all earned and unpaid wages are due immediately at the time of discharge. (California Labor Code § 201(a))

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official sources
Colorado

Not verified yet. Check the official source (cdle.colorado.gov).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (cdle.colorado.gov).

Not verified yet
Connecticut

Next business day. When an employer discharges an employee, wages must be paid in full no later than the next business day after the discharge. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-71c(b) (CT DOL wage payment laws compilation))

Next regular pay day. When an employee quits (or is laid off), wages must be paid in full no later than the next regular payday, through regular payment channels or by mail. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-71c(a) (CT DOL wage payment laws compilation))

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official pages from the same agency
Delaware

Later of the next regular pay date or three business days after the last day worked. Whether the employee quits, resigns, is discharged, suspended or laid off, wages are due on the later of the next regular payday for the period through the last day worked, or three business days after the last day worked. Payment goes through the usual pay channels, or by mail if the employee asks. (19 Del. C. § 1103(a)(1))

Later of the next regular pay date or three business days after the last day worked. Whether the employee quits, resigns, is discharged, suspended or laid off, wages are due on the later of the next regular payday for the period through the last day worked, or three business days after the last day worked. Payment goes through the usual pay channels, or by mail if the employee asks. (19 Del. C. § 1103(a)(1))

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official sources
District of Columbia

Working day following discharge. A discharged employee must be paid wages earned no later than the working day after the discharge. If the employee handled employer money, the employer gets 4 days to check the accounts. (D.C. Code § 32-1303(1))

Next regular payday or within 7 days, whichever is earlier. An employee who quits or resigns must be paid by the next regular payday or within 7 days of quitting, whichever is earlier. (D.C. Code § 32-1303(2))

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official sources
Florida

Not verified yet. Check the official source (dol.gov).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (dol.gov).

Not verified yet
Georgia

Not verified yet. Check the official source (dol.gov).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (dol.gov).

Not verified yet
Hawaii

At the time of discharge or no later than the next working day. A discharged employee must be paid all earned wages in full at the time of discharge, or no later than the next working day. (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 388-3(a) (as stated by the Wage Standards Division))

With notice: At the time of quitting. If the employee gives at least one pay period's notice of intention to quit, all wages earned must be paid at the time of quitting (the last day of employment). (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 388-3(b) (as stated by the Wage Standards Division))

One more case (Without notice) is not verified yet. Check the official source (labor.hawaii.gov).

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official pages from the same agency
Idaho

Not verified yet. Check the official source (api.isc.idaho.gov).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (api.isc.idaho.gov).

Not verified yet
Illinois
Illinois final paycheck law

Next regularly scheduled payday. A separated employee must be paid final compensation in full at separation if possible, and no later than the next regularly scheduled payday. (Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, 820 ILCS 115/5 (Illinois Department of Labor...)

Next regularly scheduled payday. An employee who quits must be paid final compensation in full at separation if possible, and no later than the next regularly scheduled payday. (Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, 820 ILCS 115/5 (Illinois Department of Labor...)

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official pages from the same agency
Indiana

Not verified yet. Check the official source (faqs.in.gov).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (faqs.in.gov).

Not verified yet
Iowa

Next regular payday. When employment ends for any reason, all wages earned must be paid no later than the next regular payday. (Iowa Code § 91A.4)

Next regular payday. When employment ends for any reason, all wages earned must be paid no later than the next regular payday. (Iowa Code § 91A.4)

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official sources
Kansas

Next regular payday. When an employer discharges an employee, earned wages must be paid no later than the next regular payday on which the employee would have been paid if still employed, through regular pay channels or by mail if the employee requests it. (K.S.A. 44-315(a))

Next regular payday. When an employee quits or resigns, earned wages must be paid no later than the next regular payday on which the employee would have been paid if still employed, through regular pay channels or by mail if the employee requests it. (K.S.A. 44-315(a))

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official sources
Kentucky

Next normal pay period or 14 days, whichever last occurs. A discharged employee must be paid in full all wages earned no later than the next normal pay period after the dismissal or 14 days after it, whichever is later. (KRS 337.055)

Next normal pay period or 14 days, whichever last occurs. An employee who quits must be paid in full all wages earned no later than the next normal pay period after leaving or 14 days after it, whichever is later. (KRS 337.055)

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official sources
Louisiana

Not verified yet. Check the official source (legis.la.gov).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (legis.la.gov).

Not verified yet
Maine

Next established payday. A discharged employee must be paid in full no later than the employee's next established (regularly scheduled) payday. (26 M.R.S. § 626)

Next established payday. An employee who quits must be paid in full no later than the employee's next established (regularly scheduled) payday. (26 M.R.S. § 626)

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official sources
Maryland
Maryland final paycheck law

Regular payday that would have applied. When employment ends, whether by discharge, the employer must pay all wages due for work performed before termination on or before the day the employee would have been paid had the employment not ended. (Md. Code, Labor and Employment § 3-505(a))

Regular payday that would have applied. When employment ends, whether because the employee quits, the employer must pay all wages due for work performed before termination on or before the day the employee would have been paid had the employment not ended. (Md. Code, Labor and Employment § 3-505(a))

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official sources
Massachusetts

Not verified yet. Check the official source (malegislature.gov).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (malegislature.gov).

Not verified yet
Michigan

Regularly scheduled payday for the period in which the termination occurs. An employee who is discharged must be paid all wages due on the regularly scheduled payday for the period in which the termination occurs (hand harvesters of crops follow a separate rule). (Mich. Admin. Code R 408.9007(1))

Regularly scheduled payday for the period in which the termination occurs. An employee who quits must be paid all wages due on the regularly scheduled payday for the period in which the termination occurs (hand harvesters of crops follow a separate rule). (Mich. Admin. Code R 408.9007(1))

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official sources
Minnesota

Within 24 hours of a demand. When an employer discharges an employee, earned and unpaid wages are immediately due upon the employee's demand; if they are not paid within 24 hours after demand, the employer is in default and penalties can accrue. (Minn. Stat. § 181.13(a))

When an employee quits, wages are due by the first regularly scheduled payday after the final day of employment; if that payday is less than five calendar days away, payment may be delayed to the second regularly scheduled payday, but no later than 20 calendar days after the final day. (Minn. Stat. § 181.14(a))

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official sources
Mississippi

Not verified yet. Check the official source (dol.gov).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (dol.gov).

Not verified yet
Missouri

Not verified yet. Check the official source (revisor.mo.gov).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (revisor.mo.gov).

Not verified yet
Montana

Immediately. When an employee is discharged for cause or laid off, all unpaid wages are due immediately, unless the employer has a written policy extending payment to the next regular payday or 15 days after separation, whichever comes first. (Mont. Code Ann. § 39-3-205(2))

Next regular payday or 15 days, whichever occurs first. When an employee quits, unpaid wages are due on the next regular payday for the pay period of separation or within 15 days, whichever comes first. (Mont. Code Ann. § 39-3-205(1))

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official sources
Nebraska

Not verified yet. Check the official source (nebraskalegislature.gov).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (nebraskalegislature.gov).

Not verified yet
Nevada

Not verified yet. Check the official source (leg.state.nv.us).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (leg.state.nv.us).

Not verified yet
New Hampshire

Not verified yet. Check the official source (gc.nh.gov).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (gc.nh.gov).

Not verified yet
New Jersey
New Jersey final paycheck law

Regular payday for the pay period in which employment ended. Whether the employee is fired, the employer must pay all wages due no later than the regular payday for the pay period in which the employment ended. (N.J.S.A. 34:11-4.3)

Regular payday for the pay period in which employment ended. Whether the employee quits, the employer must pay all wages due no later than the regular payday for the pay period in which the employment ended. (N.J.S.A. 34:11-4.3)

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official pages from the same agency
New Mexico

Not verified yet. Check the official source (govinfo.gov).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (govinfo.gov).

Not verified yet
New York
New York final paycheck law

Next regular payday. When employment ends by termination, the final wages are due no later than the regular payday on which they would have been paid; on request the employer must mail them. (New York State Department of Labor, Wages and Hours Frequently Asked Questions)

Next regular payday. When an employee resigns, the final wages are due no later than the regular payday on which they would have been paid; on request the employer must mail them. (New York State Department of Labor, Wages and Hours Frequently Asked Questions)

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official pages from the same agency
North Carolina

Next regular payday. Whether the employee is fired or quits, all wages due must be paid on or before the next regular payday, through the regular pay channels or by mail if the employee requests it. (NC Department of Labor, Payment of Final Wages to Separated Employees (G.S. 95-25.7))

Next regular payday. Whether the employee is fired or quits, all wages due must be paid on or before the next regular payday, through the regular pay channels or by mail if the employee requests it. (NC Department of Labor, Payment of Final Wages to Separated Employees (G.S. 95-25.7))

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official pages from the same agency
North Dakota

Next regular payday. When an employee is discharged, unpaid wages are due on the next regular payday established in advance by the employer. Unless the parties agreed otherwise, the employer must send them by certified mail to an address the employee designates. (N.D. Cent. Code § 34-14-03)

Next regular payday. When an employee quits, unpaid wages are due on the next regular payday established in advance by the employer for the periods worked. (N.D. Cent. Code § 34-14-03)

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official sources
Ohio

Not verified yet. Check the official source (codes.ohio.gov).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (codes.ohio.gov).

Not verified yet
Oklahoma

Next regular payday. Whether the employee is fired or quits, wages must be paid in full (less offsets and amounts in bona fide dispute) by the next regular designated payday for the pay period in which the work was performed. (40 O.S. § 165.3(A), as published by the Oklahoma Department of Labor (Wage Law...)

Next regular payday. Whether the employee is fired or quits, wages must be paid in full (less offsets and amounts in bona fide dispute) by the next regular designated payday for the pay period in which the work was performed. (40 O.S. § 165.3(A), as published by the Oklahoma Department of Labor (Wage Law...)

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official pages from the same agency
Oregon
Oregon final paycheck law

End of next business day. A fired or laid-off employee must receive the final paycheck by the end of the next business day. (Oregon BOLI, Paychecks (ORS 652.140))

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official pages from the same agency
Pennsylvania

Next regular payday. When an employer separates an employee from the payroll, earned wages are due no later than the next regular payday. (Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law, Act of July 14, 1961, P.L. 637, No. 329,...)

Next regular payday. When an employee quits or resigns, earned wages are due no later than the next regular payday. (Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law, Act of July 14, 1961, P.L. 637, No. 329,...)

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official pages from the same agency
Rhode Island

Not verified yet. Check the official source (webserver.rilegislature.gov).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (webserver.rilegislature.gov).

Not verified yet
South Carolina

Not verified yet. Check the official source (scstatehouse.gov).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (scstatehouse.gov).

Not verified yet
South Dakota

Next regular payday. When the employer separates an employee, unpaid wages are due by the next regular payday for those hours, or as soon afterwards as the employee returns all employer property in their possession. (S.D. Codified Laws § 60-11-10)

Next regular payday. When an employee without a written fixed-term contract quits, earned wages are due by the next regular payday for those hours, or as soon afterwards as the employee returns all employer property in their possession. (S.D. Codified Laws § 60-11-11)

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official sources
Tennessee

Not verified yet. Check the official source (tn.gov).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (tn.gov).

Not verified yet
Texas
Texas final paycheck law

Within 6 calendar days. An employee who is discharged must be paid in full not later than the sixth calendar day after discharge. (Texas Labor Code § 61.014(a))

Next regularly scheduled payday. An employee who leaves employment other than by discharge (quits, resigns, retires) must be paid in full not later than the next regularly scheduled payday. (Texas Labor Code § 61.014(b))

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official sources
Utah
Utah final paycheck law

Within 24 hours. When the employer separates an employee, unpaid wages are due immediately and must be paid within 24 hours of separation. (Utah Code § 34-28-5(1))

Next regular payday. An employee without a written fixed-term contract who resigns must be paid earned wages by the next regular payday. (Utah Code § 34-28-5(2))

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official sources
Vermont

Within 72 hours. A discharged employee must be paid within 72 hours of discharge. (21 V.S.A. § 342(b)(2))

Last regular payday, or the following Friday if there is no regular payday. An employee who voluntarily leaves must be paid on the last regular payday, or, if there is no regular payday, on the following Friday. (21 V.S.A. § 342(b)(1))

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official sources
Virginia

Not verified yet. Check the official source (law.lis.virginia.gov).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (law.lis.virginia.gov).

Not verified yet
Washington

End of the established pay period (next regular payday). Whether the employee is fired or quits, wages due must be paid at the end of the established pay period, on or before the next regularly scheduled payday. The employer cannot hold the final paycheck until keys, uniforms or tools are returned. (RCW 49.48.010(2))

End of the established pay period (next regular payday). Whether the employee is fired or quits, wages due must be paid at the end of the established pay period, on or before the next regularly scheduled payday. The employer cannot hold the final paycheck until keys, uniforms or tools are returned. (RCW 49.48.010(2))

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official sources
West Virginia

Next regular payday. Whether the employee is fired or quits, wages due must be paid on or before the next regular payday on which they would otherwise be due. (W. Va. Code § 21-5-4(b))

Next regular payday. Whether the employee is fired or quits, wages due must be paid on or before the next regular payday on which they would otherwise be due. (W. Va. Code § 21-5-4(b))

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official sources
Wisconsin

Not verified yet. Check the official source (dwd.wisconsin.gov).

Not verified yet. Check the official source (dwd.wisconsin.gov).

Not verified yet
Wyoming

Next regular payday. Whether the employee quits or is discharged, wages due must be paid no later than the employer's next regularly scheduled payday (or a time set by a collective bargaining agreement). (Wyo. Stat. § 27-4-104(a))

Next regular payday. Whether the employee quits or is discharged, wages due must be paid no later than the employer's next regularly scheduled payday (or a time set by a collective bargaining agreement). (Wyo. Stat. § 27-4-104(a))

Verified Sep 24, 2026
2 official sources

The federal baseline

“Employers are not required by federal law to give former employees their final paycheck immediately. Some states, however, may require immediate payment.”

U.S. Department of Labor: Last Paycheck · dol.gov

“For example, the FLSA does not require: vacation, holiday, severance, or sick pay; meal or rest periods, holidays off, or vacations; premium pay for weekend or holiday work; pay raises or fringe benefits; or a discharge notice, reason for discharge, or immediate payment of final wages to terminated employees.”

U.S. Department of Labor: Handy Reference Guide to the Fair Labor Standards Act · dol.gov

The table above shows the state rules on top of this baseline. For the full text of a state's rules, open the state page from the first column.

Work out the date

Where this rule matters

Download the data

The same records, with sources and verification dates, as JSON: final_pay_fired.json, final_pay_quit.json. Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 with a link to the Employer Desk. API documentation.

Questions people ask

Does federal law require an immediate final paycheck?

No. The U.S. Department of Labor says: "Employers are not required by federal law to give former employees their final paycheck immediately. Some states, however, may require immediate payment."

Which states set final pay at the time of discharge or by the next working day?

Among the jurisdictions verified so far: California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Montana and Oregon. Each row in the table has the exact wording and a link to the law.

Which states allow the final paycheck on the next regular payday?

Among the jurisdictions verified so far, 18 tie final pay for a fired employee to a regular payday: Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. Some add a minimum number of days; the table row has the exact wording and the law.

Does the deadline change when an employee quits with notice?

In some states it does. Among the verified states, the rule for quitting depends on notice in California, Hawaii and Oregon. The Quit column shows each case separately, with the law.

Other state law tables

Sources (3)

Checked Sep 24, 2026 · How we verify every rule · Report an error