It's the ultimate panic moment. You open a summons and immediately wonder: 'If I don't go to work next week, am I still going to get a paycheck?' The answer depends entirely on where you live.
Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), an employer is not required to pay an hourly employee for time they did not work, even if the absence was caused by a mandatory jury summons. (Salaried exempt employees have different protections).
Because the federal law is so weak, several states have stepped in. States like New York, Massachusetts, Colorado, and Connecticut require employers to pay your regular wages, but usually only for the first few days of service (e.g., the first 3 or 5 days). After that, the employer can stop paying.
In the majority of US states (including Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania), the law favors the employer. They cannot fire you for going to jury duty, but they do not have to pay you a single cent while you are gone. In these states, you are entirely reliant on the goodwill of your company's HR policy.
If your boss refuses to pay you, you generally have the right to use your accrued vacation or PTO days to cover the absence, ensuring your paycheck doesn't dip. However, it's incredibly frustrating to burn hard-earned vacation days sitting in a courtroom.
Unless you live in a handful of progressive states, your boss is not legally required to pay you for jury duty. Always check your employee handbook for corporate policies that may exceed state laws.