If you believe you or someone you care about has not been paid properly, it is important to understand the wage protections available under the law. Below is an overview of key wage rights reflected in federal and state law.

Employers are required to pay the compensation they promise. Hourly wages, salaries, day rates, piecework pay, promised bonuses, earned commissions, overrides, shift pay, and, in most cases, vacation pay are considered wages and are legally enforceable.

Most workers must be paid at least the federal minimum wage. In addition, jurisdictions such as Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia require higher minimum wages than the federal rate.

Most workers are entitled to their regular hourly rate for all hours worked and “time and a half” (150% of their regular rate) for hours worked over 40 in a week. Overtime calculations can significantly increase the total wages owed.

Employers must pay employees in full and on time for all wages due. For most workers, this means payment twice a month or, more commonly, every two weeks. Withholding pay because of business cash flow issues or unpaid customer accounts is generally unlawful and, in some circumstances, may carry criminal consequences.

Minimum wage protections also apply to certain salaried employees. In most cases, qualified “exempt” salaried workers must be paid at least $684.00 per week (current as of 2026). Employers who misclassify workers as salaried when they should not be may be required to correct the resulting underpayment.

Restaurants and similar employers must ensure that tips are paid directly to workers or distributed through a lawful tip pool in most circumstances—never to management. Tipped employees must still receive a “tip credit minimum” on their paycheck, and employers must ensure that total compensation meets or exceeds the full minimum wage when wages and tips are combined. Because these issues can be fact-specific, legal guidance may be helpful.

Workers who are owed back wages may be entitled to recover double, triple, or even four times the unpaid wages, and in most cases, may also recover their legal fees.

Wage claims are subject to statutes of limitations, so timely action is important if you believe you have a wage dispute.