PTO Value Calculator: Paid Time Off & Hourly Pay
Estimate the salary value of PTO and paid holidays, and your pay per hour actually worked. Compare vacation packages without double-counting salary.
Quick answer: At an $80,000 salary over 260 scheduled workdays, one paid day represents $307.69 of salary. Twenty PTO days represent $6,153.85 already included in that salary, not an extra cash bonus. Use your own numbers below.
PTO value is included in annual salary. Do not add it to salary in a total compensation comparison. The hourly calculation assumes 260 scheduled workdays and excludes unpaid leave and overtime. Enter fewer than 260 total paid days off.
When to use this tool:
- Compare paid vacation packages
- Estimate salary allocated to paid leave
- Compare pay per hour actually worked
How it's Calculated
- Daily salary value = annual salary ÷ 260 scheduled workdays.
- Paid leave value = (PTO days + separate employer-paid holidays) × daily salary value.
- Pay per hour actually worked = annual salary ÷ ((260 − PTO days − holidays) × hours per day).
Key Assumptions
Defaults are example inputs. See methodology and corrections for how to check results, or report an issue.
- Calculated based on 260 standard work days per year (5 days/week × 52 weeks).
- Assumes PTO is fully paid at your current base salary rate.
Actionable Insights
- Five extra paid days at an $80,000 salary represent $1,538.46 of paid time, not $1,538.46 more annual cash.
- At the same salary and hours per day, more paid days off increase pay per hour actually worked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Under the five-day-week model, divide annual salary by 260. At $80,000 that is $307.69 per paid day. This is a salary allocation, not a promised payout.
No. A salaried employee normally receives the stated salary while taking paid leave. Adding paid leave value to that salary would count the same pay twice.
Include employer-paid holidays separately only if you have not already counted them in the PTO field. Use your actual employer policy, not every holiday on a calendar.
It estimates a daily salary value, not a legally owed payout. Actual eligibility and the pay rate used can depend on employer policy, employment terms and applicable state law.
Use a realistic number of days you expect to take, based on the team and approval process. Unlimited PTO does not by itself guarantee a fixed number of days or a cash payout.
You may include expected paid sick days if they are separate from your PTO allowance. Do not count the same leave twice, and distinguish expected usage from an allowance you may never use.
The federal FLSA generally does not require pay for time not worked, such as vacation or holidays. Other laws, contracts and employer policies can apply; the calculator uses the benefit you actually receive.
The model assumes five scheduled days per week for 52 weeks. Adjust hours per day for shorter days; a different number of workdays or substantial overtime requires a separate hours-based comparison.
PTO value by salary
These estimates use 260 scheduled days and exclude separate paid holidays. Values are rounded to the nearest dollar and already form part of salary.
| Annual salary | One paid day | 20 PTO days | 30 PTO days |
|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $231 | $4,615 | $6,923 |
| $80,000 | $308 | $6,154 | $9,231 |
| $100,000 | $385 | $7,692 | $11,538 |
Compare 15 days with 25 days of PTO
At $80,000, eight hours per day and 10 separate paid holidays, 15 PTO days leave 1,880 working hours, or $42.55 per hour. With 25 PTO days, 1,800 hours remain, or $44.44 per hour. Annual salary remains $80,000 in both cases.
Use PTO in a job offer decision
Compare annual cash compensation first in the job offer calculator. Then compare paid leave and expected working hours separately. If you are leaving a W-2 job for independent work, reduce billable weeks in the 1099 vs W-2 calculator instead of adding a second PTO charge.
Sources and scope
Examples use US dollars and US workplace terminology. Change the inputs to match your benefits and costs. These are comparison models, not tax-return or payroll calculations.