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New York Final Paycheck and Pay Frequency Laws (2026)

Last updated: 2026-10-12 · Rules checked against New York's statutes and labor agency on 2026-10-03

In New York, a final paycheck for an employee who is fired or laid off is due by the regular payday for the pay period in which employment ended (by mail if requested). If the employee quits: same: by the next regular payday. Pay frequency: New York manual workers must be paid weekly, within 7 calendar days after the workweek ends. Clerical and other workers must be paid at least semimonthly on regular paydays set in advance.

Final pay: fired
Next regular payday
Final pay: quits
Next regular payday
Pay frequency
Weekly for manual workers; semimonthly for others
Payday deadline
7 days (manual workers)
after the pay period ends

New York final paycheck law

Fired or laid off
By the regular payday for the pay period in which employment ended (by mail if requested).
Quits
Same: by the next regular payday.
Final-pay source
N.Y. Labor Law § 191(3)

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 New York employers must pay

New York manual workers must be paid weekly, within 7 calendar days after the workweek ends. Clerical and other workers must be paid at least semimonthly on regular paydays set in advance.

  • Manual workersWeekly (allowed)Biweekly (not allowed)Semimonthly (not allowed)Monthly (not allowed)Semimonthly only for non-profits or employers authorized by the Labor Commissioner (1,000+ New York employees).
  • Clerical and other workersWeekly (allowed)Biweekly (allowed)Semimonthly (allowed)Monthly (not allowed)
  • Executive, administrative, professional earning over $1,300/weekWeekly (allowed)Biweekly (allowed)Semimonthly (allowed)Monthly (allowed)Not covered by the frequency rule; pay per agreed terms.
  • Commissioned salespeopleWeekly (allowed)Biweekly (allowed)Semimonthly (allowed)Monthly (allowed)At least monthly, by the last day of the month after the month earned, under a written agreement.

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

Rule
Weekly for manual workers; semimonthly for others (weekly (or weekly/biweekly))
Salaried / exempt staff
Executive, administrative and professional employees earning more than $1,300 a week aren't covered; agreed terms apply.
Payday deadline after the pay period
Manual workers: no later than 7 calendar days after the end of the week in which wages are earned. Clerical and other workers: no fixed lag beyond semimonthly regular paydays.
Posting / notice of paydays
The written pay notice at hire (in English and the employee's primary language) must state the regular payday; keep signed acknowledgments 6 years (N.Y. Labor Law § 195(1)).
Changing paydays
Give written notice of a payday change at least 7 calendar days before it takes effect, unless it's shown on the wage statement (N.Y. Labor Law § 195(2)).
  • Recent change: The FY2026 budget (signed May 2025) amended Labor Law § 198(1-a): if a manual worker paid less often than weekly was still paid at least semimonthly, a first violation costs lost interest rather than liquidated damages; repeat violations still carry 100% liquidated damages. The weekly-pay rule itself didn't change.

Same category (weekly (or weekly/biweekly)): Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Build a New York payroll calendar

Generate every 2026–2028 payday for your schedule, moved for bank holidays, and check it against New York'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 New York payroll rules

New York final paycheck and payday FAQ

When is a final paycheck due in New York if an employee is fired?

By the regular payday for the pay period in which employment ended (by mail if requested). Source: N.Y. Labor Law § 191(3).

When is a final paycheck due in New York if an employee quits?

Same: by the next regular payday. Source: N.Y. Labor Law § 191(3).

How often do New York employers have to pay employees?

New York manual workers must be paid weekly, within 7 calendar days after the workweek ends. Clerical and other workers must be paid at least semimonthly on regular paydays set in advance.

Can I pay employees monthly in New York?

Not for manual workers — they must be paid weekly. Salaried / exempt staff: Executive, administrative and professional employees earning more than $1,300 a week aren't covered; agreed terms apply.

How soon after a pay period ends must New York employees be paid?

Manual workers: no later than 7 calendar days after the end of the week in which wages are earned. Clerical and other workers: no fixed lag beyond semimonthly regular paydays.

Do I have to give notice before changing paydays in New York?

Give written notice of a payday change at least 7 calendar days before it takes effect, unless it's shown on the wage statement (N.Y. Labor Law § 195(2)).

Official Sources

Figures checked against these sources on 2026-10-03

Related Resources on This Site

Final paycheck and payday laws in other states

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