Final paycheck deadlines by state
When your employer must hand over your last paycheck if you are fired or quit, and whether unused vacation must be paid out.
General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Rules have exceptions; open your state for details and the law it comes from.
| State | If you are fired | If you quit |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Single detailed source | No state deadline (next regular payday is customary) | No state deadline |
| Alaska Single detailed source | Within 3 working days | Next payday at least 3 days after notice |
| Arizona Single detailed source | Within 7 working days or end of the next pay period, whichever is sooner | Next regular payday |
| Arkansas Single detailed source | Next regular payday (double wages if still unpaid 7 days later) | No state deadline |
| California Single detailed source | Same day | Within 72 hours (immediately with 72 hours' notice) |
| Colorado Single detailed source | Immediately | Next regular payday |
| Connecticut Single detailed source | Next business day | Next regular payday |
| Delaware Single detailed source | Next regular payday | Next regular payday |
| District of Columbia Single detailed source | Next working day | Next payday or within 7 days, whichever is earlier |
| Florida Single detailed source | No state deadline | No state deadline |
| Georgia Single detailed source | No state deadline | No state deadline |
| Hawaii Single detailed source | At discharge, or next working day | Next payday (immediately with one pay period's notice) |
| Idaho Single detailed source | Next payday or within 10 days, whichever is earlier | Next payday or within 10 days, whichever is earlier |
| Illinois Single detailed source | At separation if possible, no later than next payday | Same |
| Indiana Single detailed source | Next regular payday | Next regular payday |
| Iowa Single detailed source | Next regular payday | Next regular payday |
| Kansas Single detailed source | Next regular payday | Next regular payday |
| Kentucky Single detailed source | Next pay period or within 14 days, whichever is later | Same |
| Louisiana Single detailed source | Next payday or within 15 days, whichever is first | Same |
| Maine Single detailed source | Next regular payday | Next regular payday |
| Maryland Single detailed source | Next regular payday | Next regular payday |
| Massachusetts Single detailed source | Same day | Next regular payday |
| Michigan Single detailed source | As soon as wages can be calculated | Same |
| Minnesota Single detailed source | Within 24 hours of a written demand | First regular payday (no later than 20 days in some cases) |
| Mississippi Single detailed source | No state deadline | No state deadline |
| Missouri Single detailed source | Day of discharge (on request) | No state deadline |
| Montana Single detailed source | Immediately (or next payday or 15 days under a written policy) | Next payday or within 15 days, whichever is first |
| Nebraska Single detailed source | Next payday or within 2 weeks, whichever is sooner | Same |
| Nevada Single detailed source | Immediately | Next payday or within 7 days, whichever is earlier |
| New Hampshire Single detailed source | Within 72 hours | Next payday (72 hours with one pay period's notice) |
| New Jersey Single detailed source | Next regular payday | Next regular payday |
| New Mexico Single detailed source | Within 5 days (10 days for commission or piece pay) | Next regular payday |
| New York Single detailed source | Next regular payday | Next regular payday |
| North Carolina Single detailed source | Next regular payday | Next regular payday |
| North Dakota Single detailed source | Next regular payday | Next regular payday |
| Ohio Single detailed source | Next regular payday (semimonthly schedule) | Same |
| Oklahoma Single detailed source | Next regular payday | Next regular payday |
| Oregon Single detailed source | End of the first business day after discharge | Immediately with 48 hours' notice; otherwise within 5 business days or next payday |
| Pennsylvania Single detailed source | Next regular payday | Next regular payday |
| Rhode Island Single detailed source | Next regular payday | Next regular payday |
| South Carolina Single detailed source | Within 48 hours or next payday, but within 30 days | Same |
| South Dakota Single detailed source | Next regular payday (or when company property is returned) | Same |
| Tennessee Single detailed source | Next regular payday or within 21 days, whichever is later | Same |
| Texas Single detailed source | Within 6 calendar days | Next regular payday |
| Utah Single detailed source | Within 24 hours | Next regular payday |
| Vermont Single detailed source | Within 72 hours | Last regular payday (or the following Friday) |
| Virginia Single detailed source | Next regular payday | Next regular payday |
| Washington Single detailed source | End of the pay period | End of the pay period |
| West Virginia Single detailed source | Next regular payday | Next regular payday |
| Wisconsin Single detailed source | Next payday or within 6 days of a demand, whichever is earlier | Same |
| Wyoming Single detailed source | Next regular payroll date | Same |
How we checked this
Deadlines come from a statute-cited 50-state final pay survey updated in 2026. States with no final-pay statute are shown as having no deadline. Last checked: November 12, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the state agency or a licensed professional before acting.
Cross-checked sources agree Checked on official source confirmed on a government, court or legislature site Single detailed source one detailed table built from statutes or official data Under review sources disagree; read the note and the law.