On May 5, 2022, Oklahoma adopted senate bill (SB) 1345 to allow employers the option of paying employee wages through deposit at a financial institution or payroll card. SB 1345 becomes effective on Nov. 1, 2022.

Oklahoma Wage Payment Requirements 

Frequency of Payment

• Employers must pay employee wages at least twice per month on regular paydays established in advance by the employer. However, public, exempt, school district, technology center school district and non-private foundation employees must be paid at least once per month.
• Regular paydays must generally be within 11 calendar days after the end of the period, unless employers reach a different mutual agreement with their employees. However, Oklahoma laws do not restrict an employer from paying wages to its employees at earlier days or at more frequent intervals. 

Method of Payment

Oklahoma law requires employers to pay wages in lawful United States currency or through electronic means. Every employer-issued check, cashier’s check, draft, time check, store order or scrip must be redeemable on demand and at face value (with no discount or fee to the employee).

In addition, on May 5, 2022, Oklahoma adopted senate bill (SB) 1345 to allow employers the option of paying employee wages through deposit at a financial institution or payroll card. SB 1345 becomes effective on Nov. 1, 2022. SB 1345 allows employers in the state to pay all wages due to their employees on payday through: 

• Deposit at predesignated financial institutions of their employees’ choice; or
• A payroll card account if employees do not consent or designate a financial institution for deposit.

SB 1345 specifies that employers may opt to pay employee wages through deposit at their discretion. 

Under SB 1345, “financial institution” means a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration or any successor institution. “Payroll card” means a card or other device used by an employee to access wages from a payroll card account.

More Information

For more information, please see the Oklahoma Labor Statutes (§ 40-165.2).

Please Note: The state laws summaries featured on this site are for general informational purposes only. In addition to state law, certain municipalities may enact legislation that imposes different requirements. State and local laws change frequently and, as such, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information featured in the State Laws section. For more detailed information regarding state or local laws, please contact your state labor department or the appropriate local government agency.