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 New Mexico, the state's payday laws require employers to pay employees at least semi-monthly, though they can opt to pay more frequently. Employers must designate regular paydays, and if an employer does not designate such days, the default paydays are the 15th and the last day of the month. When an employee is terminated or fired, New Mexico law stipulates that the final paycheck must be given within five days of discharge. However, if an employee quits, the final wages are due on the next regular payday. These regulations are designed to 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. These requirements are outlined in the New Mexico Statutes Annotated (NMSA) under the Labor and Workers' Compensation laws.