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District of Columbia Final Paycheck and Pay Frequency Laws (2026)

Last updated: 2026-10-12 · Rules checked against District of Columbia's statutes and labor agency on 2026-10-03

In District of Columbia, a final paycheck for an employee who is fired or laid off is due by the next working day after discharge (4 days if the employee handled the employer's money). If the employee quits: by the next regular payday or within 7 days of quitting, whichever is earlier. Pay frequency: D.C. employers must pay at least twice each calendar month on regular paydays set in advance, no more than 10 working days after the pay period ends.

Final pay: fired
Next working day
Final pay: quits
Next payday or 7 days, if sooner
Pay frequency
At least twice a month
Payday deadline
10 working days
after the pay period ends

District of Columbia final paycheck law

Fired or laid off
By the next working day after discharge (4 days if the employee handled the employer's money).
Quits
By the next regular payday or within 7 days of quitting, whichever is earlier.
Final-pay source
D.C. Code § 32-1303

14 states require final pay immediately or within about three days of a firing (California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah and Vermont); most others allow the next regular payday. Final wages include all earned pay; whether unused vacation must be paid out is a separate state rule.

How often District of Columbia employers must pay

D.C. employers must pay at least twice each calendar month on regular paydays set in advance, no more than 10 working days after the pay period ends.

  • Most employeesWeekly (allowed)Biweekly (allowed)Semimonthly (allowed)Monthly (not allowed)
  • Bona fide administrative, executive and professionalWeekly (allowed)Biweekly (allowed)Semimonthly (allowed)Monthly (allowed)At least once a month.

Green: allowed. Amber: allowed only if a condition is met. Struck through: not allowed without approval.

Rule
At least twice a month
Salaried / exempt staff
Bona fide administrative, executive and professional employees: at least monthly.
Payday deadline after the pay period
No more than 10 working days (not counting weekends and legal holidays) between the end of the pay period and payday, unless a union contract says otherwise.
Posting / notice of paydays
The written notice at hire must state the regular payday (D.C. Code § 32-1008(c)).
Changing paydays
Give an updated written notice within 30 days of a change to the regular payday (D.C. Code § 32-1008(d)).
  • Employers that had a contract or custom of monthly pay may keep paying monthly (D.C. Code § 32-1302 proviso).

Same category (at least twice a month): Alaska, Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

Build a District of Columbia payroll calendar

Generate every 2026–2028 payday for your schedule, moved for bank holidays, and check it against District of Columbia's frequency and payday-deadline rules. Download it as Excel, CSV, PDF or a calendar file.

Payroll calendar settings

Pay periods run Sunday–Saturday; payday is Friday, 6 days after the period ends (e.g. Dec 14, 2025 – Dec 27, 2025 → Fri, Jan 2, 2026).

Paychecks in 2026
27
Usual is 26 — plan for the extra payroll
Months with 3+ paychecks
3
January, July, December
Paydays moved
2
Weekend or holiday
First / last payday
Jan 2 – Dec 31
Fri / Thu

Year-end shift: the payday scheduled for Fri, Jan 1, 2027 moves to Thu, Dec 31, 2026 and is paid in 2026, so it counts toward 2026 — W-2 wages, Social Security wage base and 401(k) limits follow the date wages are paid.

27 biweekly paychecks. If salaried staff are paid annual salary ÷ 26, a 27th check pays about 3.8% more than the salary for the year; dividing by 27 lowers each check about 3.7% instead. Decide before January and adjust per-paycheck benefit deductions and 401(k) deferrals.

Check #Pay periodPay dateSubmit payroll byDays after period endNotes
1Dec 14, 2025 – Dec 27, 2025Fri, Jan 2, 2026Tue, Dec 30, 20256
2Dec 28, 2025 – Jan 10, 2026Fri, Jan 16, 2026Wed, Jan 14, 20266
3Jan 11, 2026 – Jan 24, 2026Fri, Jan 30, 2026Wed, Jan 28, 202663rd check in January.
4Jan 25, 2026 – Feb 7, 2026Fri, Feb 13, 2026Wed, Feb 11, 20266
5Feb 8, 2026 – Feb 21, 2026Fri, Feb 27, 2026Wed, Feb 25, 20266
6Feb 22, 2026 – Mar 7, 2026Fri, Mar 13, 2026Wed, Mar 11, 20266
7Mar 8, 2026 – Mar 21, 2026Fri, Mar 27, 2026Wed, Mar 25, 20266
8Mar 22, 2026 – Apr 4, 2026Fri, Apr 10, 2026Wed, Apr 8, 20266
9Apr 5, 2026 – Apr 18, 2026Fri, Apr 24, 2026Wed, Apr 22, 20266
10Apr 19, 2026 – May 2, 2026Fri, May 8, 2026Wed, May 6, 20266
11May 3, 2026 – May 16, 2026Fri, May 22, 2026Wed, May 20, 20266
12May 17, 2026 – May 30, 2026Fri, Jun 5, 2026Wed, Jun 3, 20266
13May 31, 2026 – Jun 13, 2026Thu, Jun 18, 2026Tue, Jun 16, 20265Moved from Fri, Jun 19, 2026 (Juneteenth).
14Jun 14, 2026 – Jun 27, 2026Fri, Jul 3, 2026Wed, Jul 1, 20266
15Jun 28, 2026 – Jul 11, 2026Fri, Jul 17, 2026Wed, Jul 15, 20266
16Jul 12, 2026 – Jul 25, 2026Fri, Jul 31, 2026Wed, Jul 29, 202663rd check in July.
17Jul 26, 2026 – Aug 8, 2026Fri, Aug 14, 2026Wed, Aug 12, 20266
18Aug 9, 2026 – Aug 22, 2026Fri, Aug 28, 2026Wed, Aug 26, 20266
19Aug 23, 2026 – Sep 5, 2026Fri, Sep 11, 2026Wed, Sep 9, 20266
20Sep 6, 2026 – Sep 19, 2026Fri, Sep 25, 2026Wed, Sep 23, 20266
21Sep 20, 2026 – Oct 3, 2026Fri, Oct 9, 2026Wed, Oct 7, 20266
22Oct 4, 2026 – Oct 17, 2026Fri, Oct 23, 2026Wed, Oct 21, 20266
23Oct 18, 2026 – Oct 31, 2026Fri, Nov 6, 2026Wed, Nov 4, 20266
24Nov 1, 2026 – Nov 14, 2026Fri, Nov 20, 2026Wed, Nov 18, 20266
25Nov 15, 2026 – Nov 28, 2026Fri, Dec 4, 2026Wed, Dec 2, 20266
26Nov 29, 2026 – Dec 12, 2026Fri, Dec 18, 2026Wed, Dec 16, 20266
27Dec 13, 2026 – Dec 26, 2026Thu, Dec 31, 2026Tue, Dec 29, 20265Moved from Fri, Jan 1, 2027 (New Year's Day). 3rd check in December.

Holidays: Federal Reserve Bank closures, when ACH direct deposits don't settle (the Reserve Banks stay open on the Friday before a Saturday holiday, such as July 3, 2026 and Dec. 24, 2027). Submit-payroll dates count Federal Reserve business days; your provider's cutoff may differ.

Other District of Columbia payroll rules

District of Columbia final paycheck and payday FAQ

When is a final paycheck due in District of Columbia if an employee is fired?

By the next working day after discharge (4 days if the employee handled the employer's money). Source: D.C. Code § 32-1303.

When is a final paycheck due in District of Columbia if an employee quits?

By the next regular payday or within 7 days of quitting, whichever is earlier. Source: D.C. Code § 32-1303.

How often do District of Columbia employers have to pay employees?

D.C. employers must pay at least twice each calendar month on regular paydays set in advance, no more than 10 working days after the pay period ends.

Can I pay employees monthly in District of Columbia?

Not for most employees — they must be paid weekly, biweekly and semimonthly. Salaried / exempt staff: Bona fide administrative, executive and professional employees: at least monthly.

How soon after a pay period ends must District of Columbia employees be paid?

No more than 10 working days (not counting weekends and legal holidays) between the end of the pay period and payday, unless a union contract says otherwise.

Do I have to give notice before changing paydays in District of Columbia?

Give an updated written notice within 30 days of a change to the regular payday (D.C. Code § 32-1008(d)).

Official Sources

Figures checked against these sources on 2026-10-03

Related Resources on This Site

Helpful guides

Final paycheck and payday laws in other states

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General information, not legal advice. Confirm the current rules with District of Columbia's labor department before relying on them.