Unpaid Wages Demand Letter Template (Free Sample)
A free sample demand letter for unpaid wages, overtime, tips, or a final paycheck, how to calculate what you are owed, and what to do if your employer does not pay.
By Stacklis · Updated September 10, 2026
Free preview - $9 to download the court-ready PDF.
Why a demand letter works
Unpaid wages, unpaid overtime, withheld tips, illegal deductions, and a missing final paycheck are all wage theft. A clear demand letter, sent before any lawsuit or agency claim, often gets an employer to pay, because it shows you know what you are owed and are ready to act.
Work out exactly what you are owed
A specific, itemized number is much stronger than "what I am owed." Do the math from your own records first.
- Regular unpaid hours times your rate
- Overtime hours times the overtime rate that applies to you
- Tips that should have gone to you
- A final paycheck that was late or never paid
- Deductions that should not have been taken
Sample demand letter
Change every part in brackets to match your situation.
[Your name]
[Your address, phone, email]
[Date]
[Employer name]
[Employer address]
Re: Demand for unpaid wages
I worked for [company] as a [position] from
[start date] to [end date].
I am owed the following:
Unpaid regular hours: [hours] x $[rate]
= $[amount]
Unpaid overtime: [hours] x $[rate]
= $[amount]
Unpaid final paycheck: $[amount]
Improper deductions: $[amount]
Total owed: $[total]
Please pay $[total] by [deadline date]. If I
am not paid by then, I will file a wage claim
with [state labor agency] and pursue every
remedy available to me.
Please reply in writing to [email or address].
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Printed name]What a strong letter includes
Keep it professional, factual, and firm. You are stating a claim, not venting.
- Your name, dates of employment, and position
- An itemized total and how you calculated it
- The time period the unpaid wages cover
- A specific deadline to pay
- What you will do if you are not paid
- How to reach you in writing
Steps to get paid
- Gather pay stubs, time records, schedules, and any messages about hours or pay.
- Calculate an itemized total for each kind of unpaid pay.
- Write the letter with the total, the time period, and a clear deadline.
- Send it in a way that proves delivery, such as certified mail or an email you keep.
- Keep a copy of the letter and the proof of delivery.
- If the deadline passes with no payment, file a wage claim with your state labor agency or consider small claims court.
If the letter does not work
Most states let workers file a wage claim with a labor agency, and many add penalties for late or withheld final pay. Keep every record. For large amounts or retaliation, talk to an employment attorney.
Frequently asked questions
- Is there a free demand letter template for unpaid wages?
- Yes. The sample letter on this page is free to copy. Fill in every bracket with your own dates, hours, and amounts.
- Do I need a lawyer to claim unpaid wages?
- No. Most states let you file a wage claim with a labor agency, and a demand letter often settles it before that. For large amounts or retaliation, an employment attorney may help.
- How do I prove what I am owed?
- Pay stubs, time records, schedules, and messages about your hours and pay all help. An itemized calculation showing each category makes your demand far stronger.
- Can my employer fire me for sending a demand letter?
- Retaliating against a worker for asserting wage rights is generally illegal. If it happens, write down what happened and when, and contact your state labor agency or an employment attorney.
Forms and rules by state
Court rules and deadlines vary by state. See the page for your state: