PTO Accrual in the United States
The US has no federal mandate for paid vacation, so PTO policies vary widely by employer. This calculator uses a common accrual schedule: 10 days for 0-4 years, 15 days for 5-9 years, and 20 days for 10+ years of service. Your actual entitlement may differ—always check your employee handbook or HR department.
Many employers also offer Floating Holidays, sick leave, and personal days separate from PTO. Some companies have unlimited PTO policies, where formal accrual tracking does not apply.
Typical US PTO Accrual Schedule
0-4 years: 10 days | 5-9 years: 15 days | 10+ years: 20 days. Entry-level employees average 10 days while those with 10+ years often receive 3-4 weeks. Some companies also grant additional days for tenure milestones.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your employer's policy and your state law. Some companies allow full rollover, others cap it (e.g., max 40 hours carried over), and some use "use-it-or-lose-it" policies. California and a few other states prohibit use-it-or-lose-it policies.
It depends on your employer. Some companies combine sick leave and vacation into a single PTO bank. Others keep them separate. Many states (CA, NY, MA, etc.) mandate a minimum amount of paid sick leave regardless of employer policy.
Vacation days are specifically for holidays and leisure. PTO (Paid Time Off) is a broader category that typically includes vacation, sick days, and personal days in a single pool. PTO gives employees more flexibility in how they use their time off.