Final Paycheck Deadline Lookup
Pick a state to see exactly when a final paycheck is due — for fired employees and for employees who quit. Deadlines below are taken from our verified 50-state table (last verified September 27, 2026, against state statute text and official labor-agency pages).
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deadline when an employee is fired / discharged
If the employee quits or resigns—
Details & statute—
What to know before you look up a state
- There is no federal final-paycheck deadline. The Fair Labor Standards Act doesn’t set one — state law controls, and deadlines range from “immediately” (California, Colorado) to the next regular payday (many states).
- Fired vs. quit often differ. Most states give employers less time after a firing than after a voluntary quit. Check both rows in your result.
- No state law? Next regular payday is the safe fallback. A few states have no final-pay statute; paying on the next regular payday is the standard safe practice there.
- Late payment can trigger penalties. Many states add daily “waiting time” penalties (e.g., up to 30 days’ wages in California) when the final check is late.
- Accrued vacation/PTO rules vary too — some states treat it as wages that must be paid out, others don’t.
General information only — not legal advice. Deadlines were verified against primary sources on September 27, 2026, but statutes and agency guidance change. Confirm the current rule with your state labor agency or an employment attorney before acting — especially when penalties are on the line.