2025 California PTO Calculator | Accurate Vacation & Sick Pay Estimates
Calculate your paid time off rights under California law with our free California PTO calculator. This essential tool helps employees and employers estimate PTO accrual, payout values, and tax withholding for unused vacation time according to 2025 California labor laws.
This PTO calculator California tool uses current 2025 labor laws and tax rates to provide accurate estimates for:
PTO accrual rates based on hours worked
Vacation payout values upon termination
California tax withholding on PTO payments
Sick pay calculations under CA Paid Sick Leave Law
PTO cap compliance with company policies
California PTO Formula (2025):
PTO Accrual = Hours Worked × Accrual Rate
PTO Payout Value = PTO Balance × Hourly Rate
CA Tax Withholding = 6.6% State + 7.65% FICA (typical)
Sick Pay Accrual = 1 hour per 30 hours worked (CA minimum)
California PTO Laws in 2025
Our California vacation payout calculator incorporates these key legal requirements:
Vacation Time
Law Employers must pay out accrued but unused vacation at termination
Law "Use-it-or-lose-it" policies are illegal in California
Law PTO is considered earned wages and cannot expire
Sick Pay
Law 24 hours (3 days) minimum paid sick leave per year
Law Accrues at 1 hour per 30 hours worked
Law Employers may choose payout policy for unused sick time
Common PTO Accrual Rates in California
The PTO accrual calculator California handles these typical scenarios:
Standard Accrual Rates
Entry-level: 0.0385/hour (1.5 weeks/year)
Professional: 0.0577/hour (2 weeks/year)
Managerial: 0.0769/hour (3 weeks/year)
Executive: 0.0962/hour (4 weeks/year)
Accrual Caps
Many companies limit PTO balances (e.g. 1.5-2x annual accrual)
California requires payout if employment ends with capped balance
Our calculator shows when you're approaching cap limits
Calculating PTO Payouts in California
Our PTO payout calculator California explains these key factors:
Taxation: PTO payouts are taxed as supplemental income
Timing: Must be paid in final paycheck per CA Labor Code 227.3
Rate: Based on current pay rate, not earning rate
Sick pay: Only included if company policy allows payout
2025 California Tax Withholding on PTO
The California PTO payout calculator accounts for these 2025 tax rates:
State Income Tax: 1%-12.3% (based on income)
Social Security: 6.2% on first $168,600
Medicare: 1.45% (2.35% over $200,000)
SDI: 0.9% on first $145,600
Supplemental Rate: 22% federal optional for large payouts
Pro Tip: If receiving a large PTO payout, consider asking your employer to spread payments across multiple pay periods to minimize tax bracket impact. California requires immediate payment but allows mutual agreement for installment payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is unused PTO paid out in California when you quit?
Yes, our California PTO calculator confirms that state law requires employers to pay out all accrued, unused vacation time in your final paycheck, whether you quit or are fired.
How is PTO taxed in California?
PTO payouts are taxed as supplemental income. Our calculator shows typical withholding of 6.6% state tax plus 7.65% for FICA taxes, with optional 22% federal supplemental withholding for large payouts.
What's the difference between sick pay and vacation pay in California?
While vacation must always be paid out, sick pay only requires payout if company policy allows it. Our tool calculates both separately to show your full entitlement.
Can my employer cap my PTO accrual in California?
Yes, employers can set reasonable caps, but must pay out any accrued balance upon separation. The calculator helps track your progress toward any cap.
California PTO Resources
For official information, consult these resources: