How do I figure out my PTO per paycheck?

Divide annual PTO hours by number of pay periods. Example: 120 hours/year ÷ 26 biweekly paychecks = 4.62 hours per paycheck.

How much is my PTO payout worth?

Unused hours × hourly rate. If salaried: salary ÷ 2,080 = hourly rate. Example: $65,000 ÷ 2,080 = $31.25/hr × 56 hours = $1,750 before taxes.

In California, Colorado, Illinois, and Massachusetts, yes. In most other states, only if the employee handbook promises it.

22% federal (supplemental rate) + state tax + 7.65% FICA. On a $2,000 payout, expect about $600-800 withheld.

Vacation is for planned time off only. PTO combines vacation, sick, and personal days into one bank you can use for any reason.

Usually 1 PTO hour earned per 30 hours worked. At 40 hrs/week, that's about 69 PTO hours/year (8.5 days).

Calculate PTO accrual, payout value, vacation days, and holiday pay. Free online tools, no account needed.

Annual PTO Allowance*

hours

Total PTO hours your employer provides per year

Pay Frequency

How often you receive a paycheck

Pay Periods Worked

Leave blank for full year calculation

Current PTO Balance

hours

Hours already in your PTO bank (optional)

Hours Per Workday

hours

Used to convert hours into days

Accrual Cap (Maximum)

hours

Max PTO hours you can bank (optional)

Results are estimates based on common PTO policies. Actual employer policies and state laws may differ. Full disclaimer.

Full page with examples and explanation.

PTO Payout	Dollar value of unused PTO, with tax estimates.
Hours to Days	Convert PTO hours to work days or days to hours.
Vacation Days	Track days earned, used, and remaining.
Holiday Pay	Time-and-a-half, double time calculations.

Most employers use one of these methods:

Per paycheck: 120 hours/year ÷ 26 paychecks = 4.62 hours earned each pay period.

Per hour worked: 1,800 hours worked ÷ 30 = 60 PTO hours earned that year.

Lump sum: All days available January 1. If you leave mid-year, unused portion may be deducted.

How do I figure out my PTO per paycheck?: Divide annual PTO hours by number of pay periods. Example: 120 hours/year ÷ 26 biweekly paychecks = 4.62 hours per paycheck.
How much is my PTO payout worth?: Unused hours × hourly rate. If salaried: salary ÷ 2,080 = hourly rate. Example: $65,000 ÷ 2,080 = $31.25/hr × 56 hours = $1,750 before taxes.
Does my employer have to pay out PTO when I leave?: In California, Colorado, Illinois, and Massachusetts, yes. In most other states, only if the employee handbook promises it.
How is PTO payout taxed?: 22% federal (supplemental rate) + state tax + 7.65% FICA. On a $2,000 payout, expect about $600-800 withheld.
What's the difference between PTO and vacation?: Vacation is for planned time off only. PTO combines vacation, sick, and personal days into one bank you can use for any reason.
How does PTO work for hourly employees?: Usually 1 PTO hour earned per 30 hours worked. At 40 hrs/week, that's about 69 PTO hours/year (8.5 days).

PTO (Paid Time Off): A bank of hours you can use for vacation, sick days, or personal time. Most US employers now combine all leave types into a single PTO pool.
PTO Policy: Your employer's written rules for how PTO is earned, used, rolled over, and paid out. Found in your employee handbook or offer letter.
PTO Hours: The unit most companies use to track PTO. One day off typically equals 8 PTO hours. Tracking in hours allows partial-day use (e.g., leaving 2 hours early).
PTO Balance: Your current available PTO hours. Equals hours accrued minus hours used. Visible on most pay stubs or payroll portals.
PTO Accrual Rate: How fast you earn PTO. Usually expressed as hours per pay period (e.g., 4.62 hrs/paycheck) or hours per hours worked (e.g., 1 hr per 30 hrs).

Formulas reviewed against official labor and payroll resources.

Estimates based on common PTO policies. Employer policies and state laws may differ. Full disclaimer.