PTO Accrual Rate Chart (2026)
Reference tables showing how much PTO you earn per pay period based on your tenure, industry, and pay frequency. Use these charts to benchmark your paid time off against national averages.
Quick Formula
Your Accrual Rate = Annual PTO Hours ÷ Pay Periods Per Year
Example: 120 hours/year ÷ 26 biweekly periods = 4.62 hours per paycheck
Want to calculate your exact accrual? Use our PTO Accrual Calculator →
PTO accrual rates by years of service
Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for US private-sector workers. These rates represent the national median for full-time employees.
| Years of Service | Annual PTO | Weekly Rate | Biweekly Rate | Semi-monthly Rate | Monthly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 56 hrs (7 days) | 1.08 hrs | 2.15 hrs | 2.33 hrs | 4.67 hrs |
| 1 year | 80 hrs (10 days) | 1.54 hrs | 3.08 hrs | 3.33 hrs | 6.67 hrs |
| 2 years | 80 hrs (10 days) | 1.54 hrs | 3.08 hrs | 3.33 hrs | 6.67 hrs |
| 3 years | 96 hrs (12 days) | 1.85 hrs | 3.69 hrs | 4.00 hrs | 8.00 hrs |
| 5 years | 120 hrs (15 days) | 2.31 hrs | 4.62 hrs | 5.00 hrs | 10.00 hrs |
| 7 years | 128 hrs (16 days) | 2.46 hrs | 4.92 hrs | 5.33 hrs | 10.67 hrs |
| 10 years | 136 hrs (17 days) | 2.62 hrs | 5.23 hrs | 5.67 hrs | 11.33 hrs |
| 15 years | 160 hrs (20 days) | 3.08 hrs | 6.15 hrs | 6.67 hrs | 13.33 hrs |
| 20 years | 184 hrs (23 days) | 3.54 hrs | 7.08 hrs | 7.67 hrs | 15.33 hrs |
| 25+ years | 200 hrs (25 days) | 3.85 hrs | 7.69 hrs | 8.33 hrs | 16.67 hrs |
PTO accrual rates by industry
Paid time off varies significantly by industry. Knowledge workers and regulated industries tend to offer more generous PTO than service and retail sectors.
| Industry | Year 1 PTO | Year 5 PTO | Year 10 PTO | Biweekly Rate (Yr 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technology | 15-20 days | 20-25 days | 25-30 days | 6.15-7.69 hrs |
| Finance & Banking | 12-15 days | 18-22 days | 22-25 days | 5.54-6.77 hrs |
| Healthcare | 10-15 days | 15-20 days | 20-25 days | 4.62-6.15 hrs |
| Government | 13 days | 20 days | 26 days | 6.15 hrs |
| Education | 10-12 days | 15-18 days | 18-22 days | 4.62-5.54 hrs |
| Manufacturing | 10 days | 15 days | 20 days | 4.62 hrs |
| Retail & Hospitality | 5-10 days | 10-15 days | 15-18 days | 3.08-4.62 hrs |
| Food Service | 5-7 days | 7-10 days | 10-15 days | 2.15-3.08 hrs |
| Construction | 5-10 days | 10-15 days | 15-20 days | 3.08-4.62 hrs |
| Nonprofits | 10-15 days | 15-20 days | 20-25 days | 4.62-6.15 hrs |
PTO accrual rates by company size
Larger companies typically offer more paid time off, partly due to regulatory requirements and competition for talent.
| Company Size | Average Year 1 | Average Year 5 | Biweekly Rate (Yr 1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-49 employees | 8 days (64 hrs) | 12 days (96 hrs) | 2.46 hrs |
| 50-99 employees | 9 days (72 hrs) | 14 days (112 hrs) | 2.77 hrs |
| 100-499 employees | 10 days (80 hrs) | 15 days (120 hrs) | 3.08 hrs |
| 500-999 employees | 12 days (96 hrs) | 17 days (136 hrs) | 3.69 hrs |
| 1,000-4,999 employees | 13 days (104 hrs) | 18 days (144 hrs) | 4.00 hrs |
| 5,000+ employees | 15 days (120 hrs) | 20 days (160 hrs) | 4.62 hrs |
Per-hour-worked accrual rates
For hourly employees who earn PTO based on hours worked rather than per pay period. This method naturally prorates for part-time workers.
| Accrual Ratio | Full-Time Annual (2,080 hrs) | Part-Time Annual (1,040 hrs) | Equivalent Days (FT) | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hr per 20 hrs worked | 104 hours | 52 hours | 13 days | Generous employers |
| 1 hr per 26 hrs worked | 80 hours | 40 hours | 10 days | Above average |
| 1 hr per 30 hrs worked | 69 hours | 35 hours | 8.7 days | Most common (state sick leave standard) |
| 1 hr per 35 hrs worked | 59 hours | 30 hours | 7.4 days | Standard minimum |
| 1 hr per 40 hrs worked | 52 hours | 26 hours | 6.5 days | Entry-level / service |
| 1 hr per 52 hrs worked | 40 hours | 20 hours | 5 days | Minimum (1 week/year) |
PTO hours to days conversion chart
Quick reference for converting your PTO balance from hours to workdays (based on an 8-hour workday).
| PTO Hours | Work Days (8-hr day) | Work Weeks | Calendar Weeks (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 hours | 3 days | 0.6 weeks | ~4-5 calendar days |
| 40 hours | 5 days | 1 week | ~7 calendar days |
| 56 hours | 7 days | 1.4 weeks | ~9 calendar days |
| 80 hours | 10 days | 2 weeks | ~14 calendar days |
| 96 hours | 12 days | 2.4 weeks | ~17 calendar days |
| 120 hours | 15 days | 3 weeks | ~21 calendar days |
| 160 hours | 20 days | 4 weeks | ~28 calendar days |
| 200 hours | 25 days | 5 weeks | ~35 calendar days |
| 240 hours | 30 days | 6 weeks | ~42 calendar days |
Need a precise conversion for non-standard shift lengths? Use our PTO Hours to Days Calculator.
Common PTO accrual cap limits
Most employers cap maximum PTO balances to limit liability. Once you hit your cap, accrual pauses until you use time off. Here are typical caps by annual allowance:
| Annual PTO | 1.25× Cap | 1.5× Cap (Common) | 2× Cap (Generous) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 hrs (10 days) | 100 hrs | 120 hrs | 160 hrs |
| 96 hrs (12 days) | 120 hrs | 144 hrs | 192 hrs |
| 120 hrs (15 days) | 150 hrs | 180 hrs | 240 hrs |
| 160 hrs (20 days) | 200 hrs | 240 hrs | 320 hrs |
| 200 hrs (25 days) | 250 hrs | 300 hrs | 400 hrs |
How to read this chart
- Find your tenure: Look at the "Years of Service" table to see what's typical for your experience level
- Find your pay frequency: Read across to the column matching how often you're paid
- Compare with your industry: Use the industry table to see if your employer is above or below average
- Check your pay stub: Your actual rate should be listed on your paycheck or in your HR portal
If your accrual rate is significantly below the average for your tenure and industry, it may be worth discussing with HR or factoring into job offer comparisons.
Federal employee PTO accrual rates
US federal government employees follow a standardized accrual structure under 5 USC 6303:
| Years of Service | Annual Leave Rate | Per Biweekly Period | Annual Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years | 4 hrs/period | 4 hours | 104 hrs (13 days) |
| 3-15 years | 6 hrs/period | 6 hours | 160 hrs (20 days) |
| 15+ years | 8 hrs/period | 8 hours | 208 hrs (26 days) |
Federal sick leave accrues separately at 4 hours per biweekly period (13 days/year) regardless of tenure, with no cap on accumulation.
Use these rates in our calculators
Once you've identified your accrual rate from the charts above, plug it into one of our free tools:
- PTO Accrual Calculator — Enter your per-period rate to project your year-end balance
- PTO Calculator — Enter your annual allowance to see per-period accrual
- PTO Payout Calculator — Convert your accrued hours to a dollar amount
- PTO Hours to Days — Convert your balance to workdays
PTO Accrual Rate Chart — FAQ
- What is a good PTO accrual rate?
- A good PTO accrual rate for US workers is 4.62 hours per biweekly pay period (120 hours or 15 days per year). This is the median for private-sector employees with 5 years of tenure. Competitive employers offer 6.15+ hours per biweekly period (160+ hours or 20+ days per year).
- How many PTO hours per pay period is normal?
- For biweekly pay (the most common in the US): 3.08 hours/period in year 1 (10 days/year), 4.62 hours/period after 5 years (15 days/year), and 6.15 hours/period after 10+ years (20 days/year). These are private-sector averages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- How do I find my PTO accrual rate?
- Check your most recent pay stub (PTO balance should show hours earned this period), your employee handbook (policy section on paid time off), or your HR portal. If you know your annual PTO allocation, divide by your number of pay periods: Annual Hours ÷ Pay Periods = Your Rate.
- What PTO accrual rate do tech companies offer?
- Tech companies typically offer 15-25 days (120-200 hours) from the start, with accrual rates of 4.62-7.69 hours per biweekly period. Major tech firms like Google, Microsoft, and Meta offer 15-20 days for new hires, increasing to 25-30 days with tenure. Many also offer unlimited PTO policies.
- Does PTO accrual rate increase with tenure?
- Yes, most employers increase PTO based on years of service. A typical structure: 10 days (years 1-2), 15 days (years 3-5), 20 days (years 6-10), and 25 days (10+ years). The BLS reports that the gap between year-1 and year-20 employees is about 10 additional PTO days.
- How is PTO accrual calculated per hour worked?
- For per-hour accrual: PTO Earned = Hours Worked ÷ Accrual Ratio. Common ratios are 1:30 (1 PTO hour per 30 worked = 69 hours/year for full-time), 1:20 (1 per 20 = 104 hours/year), or 1:40 (1 per 40 = 52 hours/year). This method is most common for hourly and part-time employees.
Related Calculators
- PTO Calculator · Calculate your total paid time off accrual based on your employer's policy, hours worked, and accrual rate.
- PTO Hours to Days Calculator · Convert PTO hours to work days, or days to hours. Adjust for 8-hour, 10-hour, or any shift length.
- Vacation Days Calculator · Track how many vacation days you've earned, used, and have remaining this year.
Calculate your exact PTO accrual
Enter your rate and pay frequency to project your balance at any future date.
Open PTO Accrual Calculator →Sources
Data compiled from official labor statistics and industry surveys.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — National Compensation Survey (2024)
- SHRM — Employee Benefits Survey (2024)
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management — Federal Leave Policies
Rates shown are national averages and benchmarks. Your actual PTO accrual is determined by your employer's policy. Full disclaimer.