Pay stubs
Give a wage statement with every payment showing dates covered, names, pay rates, gross and net wages and deductions. Source: nysenate.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Industry-specific rules
A manual worker is anyone spending more than 25% of working time on physical labor. Employers may apply for permission to pay them less often than weekly. Source: dol.ny.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Penalties
Employees can recover unpaid wages and damages. Since May 2025, a first late-pay violation for manual workers paid at least semi-monthly is limited to lost interest; repeat violators face liquidated damages. Source: nysenate.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Recent changes
2025 amendment to Labor Law 198: if a manual worker was paid at least semi-monthly, a first weekly-pay violation now costs only lost interest, not liquidated damages. Repeat violators still owe liquidated damages. Source: nysenate.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
The law and where to check
The law: N.Y. Lab. Law § 191 (opens in a new tab)
The agency: New York State Department of Labor, Division of Labor Standards (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 New York 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 New York employment law guides
- All New York employment laws
- New York final paycheck law
- New York paid sick leave law
- New York meal and rest break laws
- New York overtime law
- New York vacation and PTO payout law
- New York new hire reporting
- New York 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.