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 South Dakota, the state's labor laws require employers to pay their employees at least once per month. South Dakota Codified Laws (SDCL) 60-11-10 specifies that every employer shall pay all wages due to employees at least once each calendar month on regular paydays designated in advance by the employer. Regarding the final paycheck for an employee who has been terminated or has quit, SDCL 60-11-14 states that the employer must pay the employee all wages due within the next regular payday that is at least five days after the employee leaves. If the employee requests earlier payment, the employer must comply within 48 hours or mail the wages within 48 hours of the request. These regulations ensure that employees receive timely payment of their wages and final paychecks in accordance with state law.