Final Paycheck Laws in Maryland
When a Maryland employer must pay your last paycheck if you are fired, laid off or quit, and whether unused vacation must be paid out.
Short answer: All wages due must be paid on or before the day the employee would have been paid if the job had not ended (the next regular payday). Md. Code, Labor & Employment §3-505(a)
| Final paycheck if fired or laid off | All wages due must be paid on or before the day the employee would have been paid if the job had not ended (the next regular payday). |
|---|---|
| Final paycheck if you quit | Same rule as a firing: by the next regular payday. |
| Unused vacation / PTO payout | Accrued leave must be paid at separation unless the employer has a written policy limiting payout, told the employee about its leave benefits at hire, and the policy does not entitle the employee to payout. Unused sick and safe leave does not have to be paid out (§3-1304(j)). |
Where to get help in Maryland
More Maryland employment law
- Minimum Wage in Maryland
- Meal and Rest Break Laws in Maryland
- Wrongful Termination in Maryland
- Paid Sick Leave in Maryland
- Non-Compete Agreements in Maryland
- All Maryland employment law rules
FAQ
When do I get my final paycheck if I'm fired in Maryland?
All wages due must be paid on or before the day the employee would have been paid if the job had not ended (the next regular payday).
When do I get my final paycheck if I quit in Maryland?
Same rule as a firing: by the next regular payday.
Does an employer have to pay out unused PTO in Maryland?
Accrued leave must be paid at separation unless the employer has a written policy limiting payout, told the employee about its leave benefits at hire, and the policy does not entitle the employee to payout.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.