Timing Requirements for Wage Payments in California

California's wage payment laws cover private employers, agricultural employers and domestic labor boarded by employers.

Employees must be paid at least semimonthly, no later than the 16th of the month and the 10th of the next month. Exempt employees must be paid at least once a month. Overtime must be paid by the next regular payday. Weekly or bi-weekly payrolls are permitted if paid no more than seven calendar days following the close of the payroll period.

Effective January 1, 2007, an employee who is engaged in the production of broadcasting of motion pictures whose employment terminates whether by discharge, lay off, resignation, completion of employment, or otherwise, is entitled to receive payment of the wages earned and unpaid at the time of termination by the next regular payday. Certain employees working in the entertainment industry and their employers are permitted to enter into a collective bargaining agreement to establish a time limit for payment of wages after an employee is discharged.