PTO & Final Paycheck Calculators
Use this vacation payout calculator to estimate the value of unused vacation hours before quitting, being laid off, retiring, or checking your final paycheck.
Estimate only: This calculator provides an estimate only and is not legal, tax, payroll, or financial advice. PTO and final paycheck rules depend on state law, employer policy, employment agreement, and local regulations.
Browser-based estimate
Enter your unused vacation balance, pay rate, estimated withholding, and deductions to estimate gross and net payout.
Leaving a job soon? Download the free Final Paycheck & PTO Payout Checklist to review your PTO balance, vacation payout, employer policy, final paycheck items, and important documents before relying on an estimate.
To calculate vacation payout, multiply unused vacation hours by the hourly rate that applies to the payout. If your balance is in days, convert days to hours first by multiplying vacation days by your normal hours per workday.
If your employer combines vacation and PTO into one bank, use the balance your written policy treats as payable at separation. Do not include sick leave or protected leave unless the policy says it is paid out.
Vacation pay can mean paid time used while still employed or unused vacation paid out when employment ends. For a payout estimate, convert the unused vacation balance into hours and multiply by the hourly rate used by payroll.
If you are salaried, annual salary divided by 2,080 can give a planning estimate, but your employer policy or payroll method may use a different rate.
Vacation time is easiest to compare in hours. Convert days to hours by multiplying vacation days by hours per workday. For example, 5 vacation days x 8 hours = 40 vacation hours.
If you need to calculate remaining vacation before estimating payout, use the vacation balance calculator. If you need to estimate new accrual first, use the vacation accrual calculator.
Example: an employee has 5 unused vacation days, works 8 hours per day, and earns $30 per hour. The calculator converts 5 days to 40 hours.
Gross vacation payout is 40 x $30 = $1,200. With 22% estimated withholding and no extra deductions, the estimated net payout is $936.
Vacation payout may be included as gross wages or final compensation when it is paid. Gross pay is the amount before tax withholding, benefit deductions, garnishments, or other payroll adjustments.
Actual final paycheck treatment depends on employer policy, payroll rules, and state law. This calculator estimates the amount only and does not decide whether payout is required.
Vacation payout is usually calculated from a gross pay rate before withholding and deductions. Net pay is what may remain after taxes, benefit deductions, garnishments, and other payroll adjustments.
That is why this page estimates gross payout first and then applies estimated withholding and deductions only as a planning estimate.
For a terminated employee, first verify whether unused vacation must be paid under the written policy, employment agreement, and state rules. Then multiply earned unused vacation hours by the applicable final rate of pay.
Separation type can matter for timing and policy conditions. Save the vacation balance, final pay statement, handbook, and any written payroll explanation before relying on one estimate.
Vacation balance is the amount of vacation time that may remain. Vacation payout is the possible dollar value of unused vacation if payout applies. Use the vacation balance calculator first if you are not sure how many hours remain.
The payout math can be similar, but the policy treatment may be different. Vacation may be a separate earned leave bank, while PTO may combine vacation, personal time, and sometimes sick leave.
For a broader comparison, read the PTO vs vacation pay guide and compare this page with the PTO payout calculator.
There is not one universal vacation payout tax rate. Withholding may include federal income tax, state or local withholding, payroll taxes, benefits, garnishments, and other deductions.
Use the PTO and vacation payout tax calculator for a separate simplified withholding estimate. Actual withholding may differ from the calculator.
Vacation payout rules can vary by state and by employer policy. Some states provide stronger protection for earned vacation, while others rely heavily on written policy or agreement.
Start with which states require PTO payout and the PTO payout laws by state directory, then verify current official sources and your employer policy.
If your vacation balance is shown in days, weeks, or a mixed format, use the PTO conversion calculator to convert the balance before estimating payout.
If you are leaving soon and deciding whether to use vacation time or wait for a payout, review is it better to use PTO or get paid out? and compare the answer with your written policy.
Vacation payout depends on state rules and employer policy. In some states, earned vacation can have stronger wage protections; in others, the written policy or contract may control the answer.
This calculator estimates a dollar amount only. It does not decide whether payout is legally required or whether a policy is enforceable.
Multiply unused vacation hours by the hourly rate used for payout. If your balance is in days, convert days to hours first by multiplying vacation days by hours per workday.
Vacation payout may be included as gross wages or final compensation when it is paid, but actual paycheck treatment depends on employer policy, payroll rules, deductions, and state law.
Vacation payout is commonly subject to tax withholding and payroll deductions when paid as wages. Actual withholding can differ from a simple estimate.
The math can be similar, but the policy treatment may differ. Some employers track vacation separately from general PTO, sick leave, personal days, or floating holidays.
No. Some states have stronger rules around earned vacation, while others rely more on written employer policy or agreement. Verify current state guidance.
Yes. Review the handbook, vacation policy, employment agreement, final paycheck policy, and any state-specific addendum before assuming unused vacation will be paid.