Payment methods (direct deposit, pay cards)
Pay in cash, by check dated the payday, or by direct deposit to an insured bank. Direct deposit must allow at least one free withdrawal per deposit. Source: scstatehouse.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Pay stubs
Give each employee an itemized statement of gross pay and deductions every pay period. Source: scstatehouse.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Penalties
Notice violations: warning first, then up to $100 each. Each failure to pay on time: up to $100. Employees may sue for up to three times unpaid wages plus attorney fees. Source: scstatehouse.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
The law and where to check
The law: S.C. Code Ann. §§ 41-10-30, 41-10-40 (opens in a new tab)
The agency: South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Payment of Wages (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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina employment law guides
- All South Carolina employment laws
- South Carolina final paycheck law
- South Carolina paid sick leave law
- South Carolina meal and rest break laws
- South Carolina overtime law
- South Carolina vacation and PTO payout law
- South Carolina new hire reporting
- South Carolina 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.