Free PTO Payout Calculator
Estimate your gross and net cash-out value with our free, updated PTO payout calculator. Factor in your hourly rate, FICA, and state-specific tax rules.
Enter your unused hours and pay rate, then choose your state to see an estimated withholding breakdown and relevant payout guidance.
Gross earnings
$2,500.00
Federal (22%)
−$550.00
State + FICA
−$316.25
Net take-home
$1,633.75
80 accrued hours · $31.25/hr · 65.4% net
PTO Payout Calculator: Estimate Your Gross & Net Cash Out
How are you paid?
Your full pay before taxes are taken out
Most full-time jobs are 40
How many PTO hours you have left. Check your latest pay stub.
This changes the eligibility guidance below, not the dollar amount.
Optional: wages already paid this year
Use amounts from this employer before this payout. Leave blank to assume zero. These inputs affect Social Security, Additional Medicare, and the $1 million supplemental withholding threshold.
Final Separation Pay Estimation
ptopayoutcalculator.com — estimate, not tax or legal advice
Estimated Final Separation Pay
Gross Value of Earned Vacation Time
$2,500.00
80 hrs × $31.25/hr
Pick your state above to see how much tax comes out and what's left over.
Estimates only. Tax withholding may differ based on your full-year income, filing status, and deductions. Consult a tax professional for exact figures.
Assumptions: Uses 2026 federal thresholds and the optional flat supplemental withholding method. State rates are illustrative estimates. Your employer may use the aggregate method or other applicable payroll rules; withholding is not your final tax liability.
Disclaimer: These figures are automated estimates for informational and educational use under current labor guidelines. This calculator does not process binding tax or legal withholding, and does not constitute formal accounting or employment law advice. Always verify final calculations with your local labor department or a qualified legal expert.
Add this free, interactive calculator to your own site or blog. It runs instantly in the browser and helps your readers calculate their PTO payout.
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<p style="font-size:12px;text-align:center;color:#4b5a70">Powered by <a href="https://ptopayoutcalculator.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" style="color:#533afd;text-decoration:none;font-weight:500">PTOPayoutCalculator.com</a></p>Estimates only. PTO payout rights and tax withholding vary by state, employer policy, and individual circumstances. This is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Consult your state labor department or a qualified professional. See our methodology.
Tax figures assume eligible flat supplemental withholding: 22% federal below the annual $1 million threshold, payroll taxes, and an illustrative state rate. Employers may use other permitted methods. Prior wages are assumed to be zero unless entered; state rates and individual payroll deductions need confirmation with payroll.
How to Calculate Your PTO Payout
Multiply your unused PTO hours by your hourly rate to estimate the gross payout. Your employer then withholds taxes. The amount deposited depends on the withholding method, your wages already paid this year, and applicable state rules.
1. Find your hourly rate. If you are salaried, divide your annual salary by 2,080 (52 weeks × 40 hours). Hourly employees use their stated rate.
2. Multiply by accrued hours. Take your unused annual leave balance and multiply it by your hourly rate to get the gross total. If you track your balance in hours and want to see how many standard shifts or workweeks it provides, use our PTO Hours to Days Calculator.
3. Estimate withholding. This tool assumes the optional 22% federal supplemental withholding method for eligible payments up to the annual $1 million threshold, plus payroll taxes and an estimated state rate. Your employer may use the aggregate method instead. See the tax calculator and calculation assumptions.
Want the law for your state? See our 50-state guide, read how it works, or browse common questions about leave.
# Accrued Leave Formula hourly_rate = annual_salary / (hours_per_week × 52) gross_amount = accrued_hours × hourly_rate # Example: $65,000 salary, 80 leave hours $65,000 / (40 × 52) = $31.25/hr $31.25 × 80 hours = $2,500.00 gross
Three steps to your estimated payout.
Enter your pay details.
Your annual salary or hourly rate, and how many accrued leave hours you've saved but haven't used.
Choose your state.
We use an estimated state withholding rate and link to payout guidance for your state.
Get your full breakdown.
Gross total, federal tax, state tax, FICA, and your estimated net take-home — plus a downloadable PDF for your records.
Know your rights in your state.
Payout rights depend on your state's law, leave type, and employer policy. Find the relevant guidance and source links for all 50 states and Washington, DC.
View all 50 states →California
All accrued vacation is earned wages in California. Use-it-or-lose-it policies are illegal and unused PTO must be paid at the final rate of pay upon separation.
California PTO laws →Colorado
Accrued vacation is treated as wages under Colorado law. Earned PTO cannot be forfeited and must be paid out at separation regardless of reason.
Colorado PTO laws →Texas
Texas has no state law requirement. Your rights depend entirely on your employment contract and company PTO policy.
Texas PTO laws →Check your balance, policy, and final paycheck.
A dollar estimate is only part of the picture. These checks help you understand which hours may be payable and what to ask your payroll team.
Confirm the hours you earned
Use your latest pay stub or leave statement. Subtract leave already taken and ask whether the displayed balance includes hours advanced for the rest of the year.
For example, 80 hours per year over 26 pay periods accrues at about 3.08 hours per period. Your employer may use a different schedule or rounding rule.
Estimate your accrued hours →Check whether payout is owed
Eligibility depends on the applicable state law, the kind of leave, and your employer's policy. Vacation, sick leave, and unlimited time off can be treated differently.
Keep a copy of the handbook, your leave statement, and any written payout agreement. A cash-out while still employed may have different conditions from a payout when you leave.
Find your state's payout guidance →Compare the final pay stub
Check the payable hours and rate first, then the deductions. Our default estimate assumes an eligible flat federal withholding method; your employer may use a different permitted method.
Withholding is a prepayment of tax. Your final income tax is determined when you file, and can differ from the amount withheld from this check.
Estimate your final paycheck →Federal employees: annual leave follows separate rules
A federal annual-leave lump sum can include accumulated and accrued annual leave, including eligible use-or-lose leave not yet forfeited and restored leave. The usual carryover limit is not a general separation-payout cap. The agency projects the leave period and applies the pay rules described by OPM. This general calculator does not model all federal agency rules.
Leave and pay computation tools.
Vacation Payout Calculator
The same payout math under the "vacation payout" name.
PTO Payout Tax Calculator
Your payout after 22% federal, state tax, and FICA.
PTO Accrual Calculator
How many PTO hours you have actually banked to date.
PTO Cash-Out Calculator
The net value of cashing out unused PTO while employed.
PTO Rollover Calculator
Carryover vs. forfeiture and the cash value of time at risk.
Accrual to Lump-Sum PTO Calculator
Prorate the switch from accrual to front-loaded PTO without double-crediting time.
PTO Hours to Days
Convert a PTO hour balance into workdays at a glance.
Final Paycheck Calculator
Unpaid wages plus accrued PTO owed at separation.
Severance Pay Calculator
Estimate a severance package from tenure and pay.
Salary to Hourly Calculator
Convert an annual salary into an accurate hourly rate.
Military Leave Payout Calculator
Sell-back value of unused military leave at 1/30 of basic pay.
Stop guessing. Calculate your estimated payout.
Trusted by employees across all 50 states. Free, instant, no account required.
Compensation and leave guides for workplace planning.
New York PTO Payout Law (2026): Rules & Handbooks
Does New York require employers to pay out unused vacation time? Read about N.Y. Labor Law rules, use-it-or-lose-it policies, and final paycheck deadlines.
Read more →State LawTexas PTO Payout Law (2026): Rules & Final Pay
Does Texas require employers to pay unused PTO at termination? Read about Texas Payday Law rules, use-it-or-lose-it policies, and final paycheck deadlines.
Read more →State LawIllinois PTO Payout Law (2026): Rules & Rights
Learn Illinois PTO payout laws for 2026. Understand when employers must pay unused vacation, final paycheck deadlines, use-it-or-lose-it rules, and PLAW Act details.
Read more →Frequently asked questions.
How much is PTO payout taxed?+
A PTO payout is taxable wages. An employer may use 22% federal withholding for eligible supplemental payments or the aggregate method. Social Security, Medicare, and applicable state withholding also apply. Withholding is a prepayment; your final income tax depends on your annual return.
Is PTO payout taxed as regular income?+
Yes. A payout for unused leave is generally included in taxable wages. Supplemental withholding rules can change the amount withheld from the check, but do not create a separate final income-tax rate for PTO.
Does my employer have to pay out my unused PTO?+
It depends on the applicable state law, leave type, and employer policy. Some states protect earned vacation at separation; others enforce the terms of an employer policy or contract. Check the state guide and its source before assuming your whole balance is payable.
How to calculate PTO payout?+
To calculate your PTO payout, multiply your unused accrued vacation hours by your hourly pay rate. If you are salaried, first calculate your hourly equivalent rate (annual salary ÷ 2,080) and multiply it by your unused PTO hours to find your gross payout before taxes.
How do you calculate vacation payout for salaried employees?+
Divide your annual salary by 2,080 (52 weeks × 40 hours) to get your hourly equivalent rate, then multiply that rate by your accrued PTO hours. For example: $65,000 ÷ 2,080 = $31.25/hr × 80 hours = $2,500 gross vacation payout.
How does a PTO payout work?+
The employer pays for eligible unused leave, usually using the payable hours and applicable pay rate. Payroll deducts withholding and other required deductions. Eligibility at separation and a voluntary cash-out while employed can follow different rules.
What is the difference between PTO payout and severance?+
PTO payout is compensation for earned-but-unused paid time off — it may be legally required depending on your state. Severance is additional compensation an employer may (but rarely must) offer when ending employment.
Can I get a PDF of my calculation?+
Yes. Our calculator includes a free PDF export with your full breakdown: gross payout, tax withholding, and net take-home. No signup required.