Payment methods (direct deposit, pay cards)
Pay in U.S. currency or a check cashable at face value. Direct deposit or a debit/pay card is allowed only with the employee's authorization; card fees must be disclosed in writing. Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Pay stubs
Each pay period give a paper or online statement with employer details, pay dates, hours (unless exempt), rates, gross and net pay, and each deduction. Do not print Social Security numbers on pay documents. Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov↗ (opens in a new tab) Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Penalties
If wages are withheld without a bona fide dispute, a court may award up to three times the unpaid wages plus attorney fees and costs (Md. Lab. & Empl. § 3-507.2). Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
The law and where to check
The law: Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. § 3-502 (opens in a new tab)
The agency: Maryland Department of Labor, Employment Standards Service (opens in a new tab)
What federal law says
Federal law does not set how often employers must pay. Under the FLSA, wages are due on the regular payday for the pay period. State laws set the frequency. Source: U.S. DOL — state payday table↗ (opens in a new tab)
Pay frequency checklist for Maryland employers
A simple order of work, based on the rules above. It is not a legal checklist.
- Pick a pay schedule that meets the minimum frequency above.
- Set fixed paydays within the time limit after each pay period ends.
- Tell employees their payday in writing, and post it if required.
- Choose payment methods your state allows (check, direct deposit, pay card).
- Give a pay stub with the details your state requires.
- Keep payroll records.
More Maryland employment law guides
- All Maryland employment laws
- Maryland final paycheck law
- Maryland paid sick leave law
- Maryland meal and rest break laws
- Maryland overtime law
- Maryland vacation and PTO payout law
- Maryland new hire reporting
- Maryland at-will exceptions
Pay frequency laws in other states
See every state on one page, or pick a state:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
All official government sources, last checked October 19, 2026.
- https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gle§ion=3-502&enactments=false
- https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gle§ion=3-504&enactments=false
- https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gle§ion=3-507.2&enactments=false
- https://labor.maryland.gov/labor/wages/
- https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/payday
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information based on publicly available official sources and is for information only. It is not legal, tax, payroll or employment-law advice and does not guarantee compliance with federal, state or local requirements. Rules can depend on your location, industry, contracts and other circumstances, and laws change. Always check the official source, the relevant government agency or a qualified professional before making a decision. MadyHR.ai accepts no responsibility for any action taken based on this page.
Last checked: . Every rule and source link on this page was checked against the official government source on this date. Laws change, so always open the source link before you act.