Sick Leave Calculator
Enter your work hours and accrual rate to calculate how much sick leave you earn per week, month, and year. Supports both per-hour-worked and fixed allocation methods.
How your employer calculates sick leave
Earn 1 sick hour per this many hours worked
Your typical weekly work schedule
How many weeks you've worked (or will work)
Hours carried over from prior period (optional)
Hours already taken this period (optional)
Max sick leave you can bank (optional)
Used to convert hours to days
Results are estimates based on common PTO policies. Actual employer policies and state laws may differ. Full disclaimer.
How sick leave accrual works
Sick leave accrual determines how much paid sick time you earn over a period of work. Unlike PTO, which is often front-loaded or based on pay periods, sick leave is typically calculated based on actual hours worked — making it proportional for both full-time and part-time employees.
This calculator supports two primary methods: per-hour-worked accrual (the most common under state mandates) and fixed annual allocations (used by many larger employers).
The per-hour-worked formula
Sick Leave Earned = Hours Worked ÷ Accrual Ratio
Example: 2,080 hours worked ÷ 30 = 69.3 sick leave hours (8.7 days)
State mandatory sick leave rates
Over 15 states plus many cities now mandate paid sick leave with minimum accrual rates. Here's a comparison of the most common standards:
| State | Accrual Rate | Annual Cap | Usage Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1 hr per 30 hrs worked | No cap (80 hr carryover) | 40 hrs/year (5 days) |
| New York | 1 hr per 30 hrs worked | 40-56 hrs | 40-56 hrs/year |
| Washington | 1 hr per 40 hrs worked | No cap | No cap |
| Oregon | 1 hr per 30 hrs worked | 40 hrs | 40 hrs/year |
| Colorado | 1 hr per 30 hrs worked | 48 hrs | 48 hrs/year |
| Arizona | 1 hr per 30 hrs worked | 24-40 hrs | 24-40 hrs/year |
| Massachusetts | 1 hr per 30 hrs worked | 40 hrs | 40 hrs/year |
| New Jersey | 1 hr per 30 hrs worked | 40 hrs | 40 hrs/year |
| Connecticut | 1 hr per 40 hrs worked | 40 hrs | 40 hrs/year |
| Michigan | 1 hr per 35 hrs worked | 40 hrs | 40 hrs/year |
Sick leave vs. PTO: key differences
| Factor | Sick Leave | PTO |
|---|---|---|
| Usage | Illness, medical, care for family | Any reason |
| State mandates | 15+ states require it | Not required |
| Payout at separation | Usually no | Required in some states |
| Common accrual | 1 hr per 30-40 hrs worked | Fixed per pay period |
| Typical annual amount | 40-80 hours (5-10 days) | 80-160 hours (10-20 days) |
Example calculation
A full-time hourly employee in California:
- Hours worked per week: 40
- Accrual rate: 1 hour per 30 hours worked
- Weeks in period: 26 (half year)
- Current balance: 8 hours (carryover)
- Hours used: 16 hours (2 sick days taken)
Results:
- Hours worked: 40 × 26 = 1,040 hours
- Sick leave earned: 1,040 ÷ 30 = 34.67 hours
- Available balance: 8 + 34.67 − 16 = 26.67 hours (3.3 days)
When to use this calculator
- Checking your balance: Verify the sick leave shown on your pay stub is accurate
- Planning for illness: See how many sick days you'll have available by a certain date
- Part-time workers: Calculate proportional sick leave based on actual hours
- HR compliance: Ensure your company meets state minimum sick leave requirements
- Year-end planning: Determine if carryover caps will affect your balance
For calculating your general PTO accrual (vacation + personal time), use our PTO Accrual Calculator. To find the dollar value of your unused time off, try the PTO Payout Calculator. If your employer combines sick leave into PTO, use the Paid Time Off Calculator instead.
Related Guides
- How PTO Accrual Works · Understanding different accrual methods for all leave types.
- PTO for Hourly Employees · Per-hour accrual rates and state requirements.
- PTO Accrual Rate Chart · Reference tables for accrual rates by tenure and industry.
Want to calculate your total PTO balance?
Combine vacation, sick, and personal days with our comprehensive PTO calculator.
Try PTO Calculator →Sick Leave Calculator — FAQ
- How is sick leave calculated?
- Sick leave is most commonly calculated using the per-hour-worked method: you earn 1 hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked. At 40 hours/week for a full year (2,080 hours), that's approximately 69 hours (8.7 days) of sick leave. Some employers provide a fixed annual allotment of 40-80 hours instead.
- How many sick days do most jobs give?
- The average US employer provides 7-10 paid sick days per year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median of 8 days for full-time workers. Many states now mandate minimum sick leave: California requires 5 days (40 hours), New York requires 5 days, and Washington state requires 1 hour per 40 hours worked.
- What is the standard sick leave accrual rate?
- The most common sick leave accrual rate in the US is 1 hour per 30 hours worked, which is the standard set by many state mandatory sick leave laws (California, Washington, Oregon, etc.). Other common rates include 1 hour per 40 hours worked (minimum in some states) and 1 hour per 20 hours worked (generous employers).
- Can sick leave be cashed out like PTO?
- Unlike PTO/vacation, sick leave rarely pays out upon separation in most states. California does not require sick leave payout at termination. However, some employers voluntarily cash out unused sick time. If your sick leave is part of a combined PTO bank, it follows PTO payout rules instead. Check your state laws and employer policy.
- Does sick leave roll over to the next year?
- In most states with mandatory sick leave laws, yes — unused sick leave must carry over. California requires carryover up to 80 hours (10 days). However, employers can set caps on how much you accumulate. Some employers use a 'front-loaded' method instead (grant full allocation January 1) with no carryover needed.
- Is sick leave the same as PTO?
- No. Sick leave is specifically for illness, medical appointments, and caring for sick family members. PTO (Paid Time Off) is a combined bank for any absence including vacation, personal days, and sick time. About 63% of US employers now combine sick leave into a PTO bank, while others keep them separate. State sick leave mandates apply even if you have PTO.
- Do part-time employees get sick leave?
- In states with mandatory sick leave laws, yes. Part-time workers earn sick leave proportionally based on hours worked. Using the standard 1:30 ratio: a 20-hour/week part-time employee earns about 35 hours (4.3 days) of sick leave per year. Some states like California apply sick leave requirements to all employees who work 30+ days in a year.
Related Calculators
- PTO Calculator · Calculate your total paid time off accrual based on your employer's policy, hours worked, and accrual rate.
- PTO Accrual Calculator · Calculate how much PTO you earn per pay period and project your year-end balance with cap tracking.
- PTO Payout Calculator · Find out how much your unused PTO is worth when you leave a job, get laid off, or cash out accrued time.