When is a Missouri final paycheck due after a discharge?

Under RSMo Chapter 290.110, wages of a discharged Missouri employee are due immediately at the time of termination. The employer must pay on the day the employee is fired or laid off.

When is a Missouri final paycheck due after a voluntary resignation?

Under RSMo Chapter 290.110, a voluntarily resigning Missouri employee receives final wages on the next regular payday following the date of resignation.

What happens if a Missouri employer fails to pay a final paycheck on time?

Missouri imposes 8% annual interest on overdue wages. Employees may file a wage claim with the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Additional remedies may be available through civil court action.

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Missouri final pay

Missouri Final Paycheck Deadline Calculator

Missouri applies different rules based on how employment ended. Discharged employees are owed wages immediately at the time of termination. Employees who resign voluntarily receive final pay on the next regular payday.

Under RSMo Chapter 290.110, a Missouri employee who is discharged or involuntarily terminated must be paid all wages immediately at the time of termination; an employee who voluntarily resigns must be paid on the next regular payday following the resignation date. — Source: Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (labor.mo.gov)

Enter separation details

Missouri's two-track final paycheck rule

RSMo Chapter 290.110, confirmed by the Missouri Department of Labor FAQ, establishes a clear distinction:

Separation type	Deadline
Discharged, fired, or involuntarily terminated	Immediately at the time of termination (same day)
Voluntary resignation or quit	Next regular payday (RSMo 290.110)

Worked example: discharge on a Thursday

Separation type: Discharged Separation date: 2026-08-13 (Thursday) Deadline: 2026-08-13 (same day — immediately)

Worked example: voluntary resignation

Separation type: Voluntary resignation Resignation date: 2026-08-14 (Friday) Next regular payday: 2026-08-28 (biweekly) Deadline: 2026-08-28

What this calculator does not determine

The amount of wages, commissions, accrued vacation, or bonuses owed.
The exact interest calculation for overdue wages (8% annually under Missouri law).
Whether a collective-bargaining agreement or employment contract changes the applicable deadline.

Sources and verification

The final-pay rule is confirmed from the Missouri Department of Labor FAQ (labor.mo.gov), as noted in the site research findings. The governing statute is RSMo Chapter 290.110. Wage claims may be filed with the Missouri Division of Labor Standards.

Common questions

Does "immediately" in Missouri mean the exact moment of termination?

Yes. The Missouri rule for discharge means wages are due at the time of termination — on the day the employer fires the employee. An employer cannot wait until the next payday when an employee is involuntarily terminated.

What if the employer needs time to calculate a commission or bonus?

Missouri law requires immediate payment of all wages due. Disputed or uncomputed amounts may require separate resolution. Contact the Missouri Division of Labor Standards (labor.mo.gov) for guidance on complex wage calculations at separation.

Is the Missouri final paycheck rule the same for layoffs?

Yes. A layoff is an involuntary separation — wages are due immediately at the time of the layoff, the same as for a discharge or firing.