Can you legally pay someone in cash?

Is it legal to pay employees in cash? Technically speaking, its legal to pay employees in cash so long as you withhold payroll taxes correctly and keep thorough documentation of hours worked and wages earned by employees.

Is it illegal to pay someone less for the same job?

The Equal Pay Act doesnt allow your employer to pay you less than a coworker doing a similar job. Congress passed the EPA in 1963, mostly to ensure that women earn the same pay rates as men doing similar work. However, the law protects both genders.