Free Calculator · All 50 States · 2026

Final Paycheck Deadline Calculator

Select your state and separation type to find your employer's legal deadline for paying your final wages.

Quick Answer: Your employer must pay your final paycheck within 1-72 hours to 30 days depending on your state and whether you quit or were fired. California requires immediate payment if fired. Federal law (FLSA) requires payment by the next regular payday at minimum.

How did your employment end?

When Must My Employer Pay My Final Paycheck?

State laws heavily influence when you receive your final wages. Some states like California and Colorado require immediate payment upon termination. If there is no state law, the federal FLSA defaults to the next regularly scheduled payday. Also calculate your PTO payout to know your full final compensation.

Is This Final Paycheck Calculator Free and Accurate?

Yes. This calculator uses official 2026 data from the US Department of Labor and state labor departments.

Last updated: June 2026
Sources: US DOL, Paycor, Paycom, and state labor codes.

Stay compliant with automated payroll →

Data sourced from official state labor department websites and the US Department of Labor (dol.gov). Last updated: June 2026. Calculator results are estimates for informational purposes only. For disputes involving unpaid wages or wrongful termination, consult a licensed employment attorney in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is my employer legally required to give me my final paycheck?
It depends on your state and how you left. If you were fired, many states require same-day payment (California, Colorado, Montana, Massachusetts). If you resigned, most states allow payment on the next regular payday. Some states have no specific law and default to the federal FLSA standard — next scheduled payday. Use our calculator above to get your state's exact rule.
Can my employer hold my final paycheck if I didn't return equipment?
No. In all 50 states, withholding a final paycheck because you haven't returned equipment is illegal. Your employer must pay all wages owed on the legally required date. They can pursue the value of unreturned property separately (through deductions from future pay is generally not permitted either without written authorization). File a wage claim with your state labor board if your employer withholds your check.
What should my final paycheck include?
Your final paycheck must include: all regular wages for hours worked, overtime pay if applicable, any commission or bonus wages already earned, and in states with mandatory PTO payout laws (CA, CO, IL, LA, etc.), the cash value of all accrued unused vacation/PTO. It must NOT be reduced for notice period not served, training costs, or equipment.
What happens if my employer is late with my final paycheck?
Most states impose penalties on employers who pay late. California is the strictest — employers owe one day of your average daily wages for every day the paycheck is late, up to 30 days. That can add up to 1.5 months of pay in penalties. File a wage claim at your state labor board — most claims are free and resolved within 30–60 days.

Related Tools

Calculate your notice period →Estimate severance pay →