SCSouth Carolina final paycheck law
If you are fired in South Carolina, your final pay is due within 48 hours or the next regular payday, whichever comes first. If you quit, it is due within 48 hours or the next regular payday, whichever comes first.
| If you | Your last check is due |
|---|---|
| were fired or laid off | Within 48 hours or the next regular payday, whichever comes first (no later than 30 days) |
| quit | Within 48 hours or the next regular payday, whichever comes first (no later than 30 days) |
| have unused vacation | It is paid if your employer's written policy says so. The employer's written policy or contract governs payout of unused vacation. |
| are paid late | Payment of Wages Act: up to three times the unpaid amount plus fees if you file a wage complaint. |
| want to read the law | S.C. Code 41-10-50, 41-10-80checked October 29, 2026 |
When is my last check due? South Carolina calculator
What these words mean
- Final paycheck
- The last pay you are owed after a job ends: all hours worked and, in some states, your unused vacation.
- Late-pay penalty
- Extra money some states make an employer pay when your final check is late.
- Payout
- Being paid cash for paid time off you earned but never used.
- Wage complaint
- A free claim you file with your state labor office or the U.S. Department of Labor when you are not paid what the law requires.
Questions
I was fired in South Carolina. When do I get my last check?
Within 48 hours or the next regular payday, whichever comes first (no later than 30 days).
I quit my job in South Carolina. When do I get my last check?
Within 48 hours or the next regular payday, whichever comes first (no later than 30 days).
What if my employer pays my last check late in South Carolina?
Payment of Wages Act: up to three times the unpaid amount plus fees if you file a wage complaint.
Will my unused vacation be in my last check in South Carolina?
Only if your employer's written policy or your contract says so. The employer's written policy or contract governs payout of unused vacation. See South Carolina PTO payout rules.
Can my employer keep my last check until I return my uniform or laptop?
No. Money you earned is yours. An employer can only take out what the law or a signed agreement allows. If the check is late, file a free wage complaint with the South Carolina labor office.