Payment methods (direct deposit, pay cards)
Payroll cards are optional, need written consent and registration, and cannot carry loading, withdrawal or dormancy fees. Switch to another method within 14 days if asked. Source: dli.mn.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Pay stubs
Each pay period give an earnings statement with rates, hours, gross pay, deductions, paid leave withholding, net pay, period end date and employer name, address and phone. Source: revisor.mn.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Industry-specific rules
Schools may pay school-year wages on a contract schedule. Volunteer or on-call firefighters and first responders must be paid at least every 31 days unless both sides agree otherwise. Source: revisor.mn.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Penalties
If wages are unpaid 10 days after a state demand, the employer owes a penalty of one day's average earnings per extra day (1/15 of unpaid commissions per day for commissions). Source: revisor.mn.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
The law and where to check
The law: Minn. Stat. § 181.101 (opens in a new tab)
The agency: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota employment law guides
- All Minnesota employment laws
- Minnesota final paycheck law
- Minnesota paid sick leave law
- Minnesota meal and rest break laws
- Minnesota overtime law
- Minnesota vacation and PTO payout law
- Minnesota new hire reporting
- Minnesota 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.
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.