Whether you are fired or you quit, when you leave a job you are entitled to any wages earned before leaving the job. Exactly when you get that paycheck depends largely on state law. The Fair Labor Standards Act states only that you should receive a paycheck in a timely manner. Most states have enacted laws stating exactly when you are entitled to a paycheck.
State | Employee entitled to paycheck: |
Alabama | Not specified |
Alaska | If terminated, within three days If quit, next regular payday |
Arizona | If terminated, within three days If quit, next regular payday |
Arkansas | If terminated, within seven days If quit, next regular payday |
California | If terminated, immediately If quit, within 72 hours (unless the employee gave 72 hours notice, then due on last day of employment) |
Colorado | If terminated, immediately If quit, next regular payday |
Connecticut | If terminated, next business day If quit, next regular payday |
Delaware | Next regular payday or seven days, whichever is earlier |
District of Columbia | Four days |
Florida | Not specified |
Georgia | Not specified |
Hawaii | If terminated, immediately or the next day If quit, next regular payday (unless gave one pay period’s notice of intention to quit, then due on last day of employment) |
Idaho | Not specified |
Illinois | At time of separation, if possible, or next regular payday |
Indiana | Next regular payday |
Iowa | Next regular payday |
Kansas | Next regular payday |
Kentucky | Next regular payday or 14 days, whichever is later |
Louisiana | If terminated, three days If quit, next regular payday or 15 days, whichever is earlier |
Maine | Next regular payday or two weeks after demand for payment |
Maryland | Next regular payday |
Massachusetts | If terminated, immediately If quit, next regular payday |
Michigan | As soon as the amount owed can be determined |
Minnesota | If terminated, immediately If quit, next regular payday (if next payday is within five days, payment may be within 20 days) |
Mississippi | Not specified |
Missouri | If terminated, immediately If quit, next regular payday |
Montana | Next regular payday or 15 days, whichever earlier |
Nebraska | Next regular payday or two weeks, whichever is earlier |
Nevada | If terminated, immediately If quit, regular payday or seven days, whichever is earlier |
New Hampshire | If terminated, within 72 hours If quit, next regular payday (unless employee gives one pay period’s notice of intention to quit, then 72 hours) |
New Jersey | Next regular payday |
New Mexico | Five days (unless wages are based on commission, then 10 days) |
New York | Next regular payday |
North Carolina | Next regular payday |
North Dakota | If terminated, within 15 days or next regular pay period, whichever earlier If quit, next regular payday |
Ohio | Not specified |
Oklahoma | Next regular payday |
Oregon | By the end of first business day after termination |
Pennsylvania | Next regular payday |
Rhode Island | Next regular payday |
South Carolina | If terminated, 48 hours or next regular payday If quit, next regular payday |
South Dakota | Next regular payday |
Tennessee | Next regular payday or 21 days, whichever is later |
Texas | If terminated, within six days If quit, next regular payday |
Utah | Within 24 hours |
Vermont | If terminated, within 72 hours If quit, next regular payday |
Virginia | Next regular payday |
Washington | Next regular payday |
West Virginia | If terminated, within 72 hours If quit, next regular payday |
Wisconsin | Next regular payday |
Wyoming | Within five days |