Payment methods (direct deposit, pay cards)
Pay in cash, by check or money order, by direct deposit, or by payroll card with written fee disclosure. If you offer pay cards, you must also offer direct deposit. Source: code.wvlegislature.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Pay stubs
Give a written itemized list of deductions for each pay period with deductions. Source: code.wvlegislature.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Penalties
For late final or layoff wages, employers owe the unpaid amount plus liquidated damages of two times that amount. Source: code.wvlegislature.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
The law and where to check
The law: W. Va. Code § 21-5-3 (opens in a new tab)
The agency: West Virginia Division of Labor, Wage and Hour (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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia employment law guides
- All West Virginia employment laws
- West Virginia final paycheck law
- West Virginia paid sick leave law
- West Virginia meal and rest break laws
- West Virginia overtime law
- West Virginia vacation and PTO payout law
- West Virginia new hire reporting
- West Virginia 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.