Calculators
Final Paycheck Laws by State
The deadline to receive your last paycheck depends on your state and whether you were fired or quit. Pick your state to see both deadlines.
Final-pay deadlines for fired vs. quit
Final pay if fired
Immediately, at the time of termination
Final pay if you quit
Within 72 hours; immediately if 72 hours' notice was given
2026 minimum wage
$16.90/hr
Many CA cities are higher (e.g. West Hollywood, Emeryville); fast-food chains are $20.00 and some healthcare employers higher.
Daily overtime
Over 8 hrs/day
Meal break
30-min unpaid meal for shifts over 5 hrs; 2nd meal over 10 hrs
Rest break
10-min paid rest per 4 hrs worked
General guidance for California, current for 2026. Local ordinances and industry rules vary, so confirm with your state labor department before relying on this for payroll or a legal decision.
Notes
- Some states require immediate payment when you're fired (California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Montana).
- Many states default to the next regular payday for both fired and quit.
Frequently asked questions
When do I get my last paycheck if I'm fired?
It varies by state, from immediately (California) to the next regular payday. Select your state to see the exact deadline.
Guides that explain the rules
- Final Paycheck Laws: When Is Your Last Check Due? When your last paycheck is due if you quit or were fired, what it must include, what an employer can deduct, California's waiting-time penalty with a worked example, and how severance fits in.
- PTO Payout by State: Use It or Lose It, Explained Which states require employers to pay out accrued vacation when you leave, where use-it-or-lose-it policies are legal, and how to value the PTO in your final paycheck.
- Wage Garnishment Rules: How Much of Your Paycheck Can Be Taken? Federal CCPA limits cap most garnishments at 25% of disposable income or 30 times the minimum wage. Here's how the rules work for ordinary debts, child support, taxes, and how state law can protect more.
- My Paycheck Was Late or Bounced. What Are My Rights? A late or bounced paycheck is a wage violation in most states, often with penalties on top of the wages owed. Here's what to do in the first 24 hours, and how the penalties work.