Wyoming Final Paycheck Law & Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

• When must my employer pay my final paycheck in Wyoming?

  Under Wyoming W.S. 27-4-104 (as of 2026), your employer must pay all wages due by the next regular payday or within 5 working days of your separation date — whichever date comes first. Working days means Monday through Friday, excluding weekends.

• Does it matter if I was fired versus if I quit in Wyoming?

  No. Wyoming's final paycheck law (W.S. 27-4-104) applies the same deadline regardless of the reason for separation — whether you were fired, laid off, or resigned voluntarily. Both scenarios require payment by the next regular payday or within 5 working days, whichever is earlier.

• What is the penalty if my employer pays my final paycheck late in Wyoming?

  If your employer misses the deadline, courts must award you 18% annual interest on the unpaid wages, calculated from the date of your termination. Courts must also award reasonable attorney fees and all costs of pursuing the claim (W.S. 27-4-104, as of 2026).

• How is the 18% annual interest calculated on late wages in Wyoming?

  The interest is calculated as: (Wages Owed × 18%) × (Days Overdue ÷ 365). For example, if $1,000 in wages is 30 days overdue, the accrued interest is $1,000 × 0.18 × (30÷365) = approximately $14.79. Interest accrues daily until wages are paid.

• What wages are included in the Wyoming final paycheck?

  The final paycheck must include all earned and unpaid wages, including regular wages, overtime pay, and earned commissions. Accrued vacation pay must also be included if the employer has a policy or established practice of paying it out upon termination. Unused sick leave is not required unless the employer's policy guarantees a payout.

• Does accrued vacation pay have to be included in a Wyoming final paycheck?

  Only if the employer has a written policy or consistent practice of paying out accrued vacation upon separation. Wyoming does not mandate vacation payout by statute — it depends on the employer's own policy. Review your employee handbook or employment contract.

• What is Wyoming W.S. 27-4-104?

  Wyoming Statutes §27-4-104 is the state's wage payment upon separation statute. It requires employers to pay all wages owed when an employee quits or is discharged within 5 working days of termination or by the next regular payday, whichever comes first, and mandates 18% annual interest plus attorney fees for late payment (as of 2026).

• Is there a 5-day rule or a payday rule — which one applies?

  Both apply simultaneously — the law uses a 'whichever comes first' standard. Your employer must pay you by the earlier of (1) the next regularly scheduled payday, or (2) 5 working days after your last day. Whichever date is sooner becomes the legal deadline.

• Can I sue my employer for unpaid final wages in Wyoming?

  Yes. You can file a wage claim with the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services Labor Standards Office, or file a civil lawsuit in Wyoming state court. If you prevail, you are entitled to the unpaid wages, 18% annual interest from the separation date, reasonable attorney fees, and all court costs.

• What should I do if my Wyoming employer hasn't paid my final wages?

  First, send your employer a written demand noting the W.S. 27-4-104 deadline and the accruing 18% interest penalty. If unpaid after a reasonable follow-up, file a wage claim with the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services at dws.wyo.gov, or consult an employment attorney about a civil action to recover wages plus interest and fees.