Most states have laws that require employers to pay employees their wages with some minimum frequency—usually either twice a month (semi-monthly) or every other week (bi-weekly)—and some states require weekly or monthly payment of wages.

These laws are known as payday laws and also dictate when an employee who has been fired/terminated or quit must be paid their final paycheck—in some states, immediately; in some states within a certain number of days; and in some states on the next regularly-scheduled payday.

Payday laws vary from state to state and are usually included in a state’s statutes—often in the labor code or other statutes governing employer-employee relations.

In California, payday laws are governed by the California Labor Code. Employers are required to pay their employees at least twice per calendar month on designated regular paydays. Wages earned between the 1st and 15th days of the month must be paid by the 26th day of the same month, and wages earned between the 16th and last day of the month must be paid by the 10th day of the following month. For employees who are fired or terminated, the employer must pay all final wages immediately at the time of termination. If an employee quits without giving prior notice, the employer has 72 hours to provide the final paycheck. However, if an employee provides at least 72 hours of notice before quitting, the employer must provide the final paycheck on the employee's last day of work. These regulations ensure that employees receive their earned wages in a timely manner and provide clear guidelines for the final payment of wages upon termination of employment.