Strictest Final Paycheck Penalty States
Ranking of states by the severity of penalties imposed for late final paycheck payments. Waiting-time penalties can add significant costs to non-compliance.
Most Strict Penalties (30+ Days' Wages)
Moderate Penalties (10-29 Days' Wages)
Other Penalty Structures
Alabama
No specific penalty
Arizona
Up to double wages
Arkansas
Double wages after 7 days
Connecticut
Double damages
Delaware
Liquidated damages
Florida
Wage claim penalties
Georgia
No specific penalty
Hawaii
Wage claim penalties
Idaho
Wage claim penalties
Illinois
Up to double wages
Indiana
Wage claim penalties
Iowa
Wage claim penalties
Kansas
Wage claim penalties
Kentucky
Wage claim penalties
Louisiana
Wage claim penalties
Maine
Wage claim penalties
Maryland
Liquidated damages
Massachusetts
Double damages
Michigan
Up to double wages
Minnesota
Up to double wages
Mississippi
No specific penalty
Missouri
Wage claim penalties
Montana
Wage claim penalties
Nebraska
Wage claim penalties
Nevada
Wage claim penalties
New Hampshire
Wage claim penalties
New Jersey
Liquidated damages
New Mexico
Up to double wages
New York
Liquidated damages
North Carolina
Wage claim penalties
North Dakota
Wage claim penalties
Ohio
Up to double wages
Oklahoma
Wage claim penalties
Oregon
Liquidated damages
Pennsylvania
Up to double wages
Rhode Island
Double damages
South Carolina
Wage claim penalties
South Dakota
Wage claim penalties
Tennessee
No specific penalty
Texas
Wage claim penalties
Utah
Wage claim penalties
Vermont
Wage claim penalties
Virginia
Liquidated damages
Washington
Wage claim penalties
West Virginia
Wage claim penalties
Wisconsin
Up to double wages
Wyoming
Wage claim penalties
Understanding Waiting-Time Penalties
Waiting-time penalties are additional wages that employers must pay when they fail to provide final paychecks within the legally required timeframe. These penalties accumulate daily until payment is made, making timely compliance crucial for cost management.
Learn more in our Glossary →