Texas Guide · Updated 2026
Texas Final Pay & the Texas Payday Law
The Texas Payday Law (Tex. Labor Code ch. 61) sets the rules for how and when wages are paid — and it splits final-pay timing based on how the employment ended.
Final pay timing
A discharged employee must be paid in full within six calendar days of termination. An employee who quits is paid by the next regularly scheduled payday(Tex. Labor Code § 61.014).
Pay frequency
Exempt employees must be paid at least monthly; all other employees at least twice a month, on paydays as nearly equal as possible. Employers must post a notice of paydays (Tex. Labor Code § 61.011–.012).
Deductions
Wage deductions are limited to those ordered by a court, authorized by law, or authorized in writing by the employee. Get written authorization before deducting for things like equipment, shortages, or advances.
Wage claims: 180 days
An employee may file a wage claim with the Texas Workforce Commission within 180 daysof the date the wages were due (Tex. Labor Code § 61.051). The TWC investigates and can order payment plus administrative penalties for bad-faith non-payment.
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