Final Paycheck Laws in Missouri
Missouri has specific final paycheck requirements
Missouri requires final wages to be paid immediately upon demand from a fired employee, but the employee has up to 7 days after termination to make the demand. If no demand is made, wages are due by the next regular payday.
Final paycheck timelines
| If you are fired | Immediately upon demand (within 7 days of termination) |
|---|---|
| If you quit | Next regular payday |
| Must include PTO payout? | No — Missouri does not require PTO payout unless employer policy provides for it. |
| Penalties for late payment | Wages continue at the regular rate for each day late, up to 60 days, if employer willfully refuses to pay. |
| Statute | Mo. Rev. Stat. SS 290.110 |
Final Paycheck Laws in Missouri: what you need to know
Missouri has a state law that sets specific timelines for when employers must deliver a final paycheck after an employee separates from employment. The timeline typically depends on whether the employee quit or was terminated. Missouri requires final wages to be paid immediately upon demand from a fired employee, but the employee has up to 7 days after termination to make the demand. If no demand is made, wages are due by the next regular payday.
If you are fired or laid off in Missouri, your employer must deliver your final paycheck Immediately upon demand (within 7 days of termination). If you quit, the timeline is Next regular payday. These timelines are legal requirements, not suggestions, and employers who miss them may face penalties.
Employers who fail to deliver the final paycheck on time face penalties in Missouri. Wages continue at the regular rate for each day late, up to 60 days, if employer willfully refuses to pay. These penalties serve as a deterrent against employers who might otherwise delay payment, and they provide compensation to workers for the harm caused by late payment.
For Missouri workers who are leaving a job, understanding the final paycheck timeline can help you plan your finances during the transition. If your employer does not deliver your final paycheck by the required deadline, document the delay and contact the Missouri Department of Labor or an employment attorney. You may be entitled to penalties in addition to the unpaid wages.
Your final paycheck should include all compensation you have earned through your last day of work, including regular wages, overtime, commissions, bonuses that have been earned but not yet paid, and in some states, accrued vacation or PTO. If any of these components are missing from your final paycheck, you may be entitled to the unpaid amount plus penalties depending on your state's laws.
More Missouri workplace laws
Check other workplace law topics for Missouri:
Frequently asked questions about final paycheck laws in Missouri
Immediately upon demand (within 7 days of termination)
Next regular payday
This depends on your employer policy. Missouri does not have a blanket requirement to pay out unused vacation, but if your employer has a policy promising payout, they may be required to include it.
Wages continue at the regular rate for each day late, up to 60 days, if employer willfully refuses to pay.
Document the amount owed, your last day of work, and any communications with your employer. File a wage complaint with the Missouri Department of Labor or consult an employment attorney.