Am I entitled to my final paycheck immediately if I’m fired?

Yes. Under California Labor Code § 201, if you are terminated or laid off, your employer must pay all wages owed — including accrued vacation — at the time of termination. There is no grace period.

If you resign with at least 72 hours’ notice, your employer must pay your final wages on your last day. If you resign without 72 hours’ notice, the employer has 72 hours to pay.

If your employer fails to pay on time, you may be entitled to waiting time penalties of up to 30 days of additional pay at your daily rate (Labor Code § 203). These penalties can add up quickly.