PTO Statistics & Benchmarks: Key US Paid Leave Data
The United States is the only wealthy nation with no federal mandate for paid vacation. Every figure in the table below — days offered, days taken, days forfeited — is the result of voluntary employer policy, state law, or individual negotiation. That makes benchmarks especially valuable: without a legal floor to reference, you need data to know whether your package is generous, average, or below par.
This page collects the most-cited statistics on US paid time off into one citable reference. Sources are primarily Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) National Compensation Survey data and major employer surveys by the US Travel Association (USTA) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Average Vacation Days by Tenure (Private Sector, Full-Time)
The BLS National Compensation Survey is the most authoritative source for employer-provided leave. The following figures reflect median vacation allotments for private-sector, full-time workers in the US. They cover vacation only and do not include separate sick leave, personal days, or paid holidays.
| Years of Service | Median Vacation Days / Year | Typical Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | ~8 days | 64 hours |
| 1 year | ~11 days | 88 hours |
| 3 years | ~13 days | 104 hours |
| 5 years | ~15 days | 120 hours |
| 10 years | ~17 days | 136 hours |
| 20 years | ~20 days | 160 hours |
Combined PTO Banks vs. Separate Vacation
Many modern employers have moved from separate vacation, sick, and personal buckets to a consolidated "PTO bank" that covers everything. Under a combined model, starting balances of 15 to 20 days are typical, because the single pool must cover both vacations and sick days. Employees on combined PTO plans tend to take fewer pure vacation days because illness claims are drawn from the same account.
Paid Holidays
The US government observes 11 federal holidays. Most private employers observe between 6 and 11 of them. According to BLS data, the mean number of paid holidays provided by private-sector employers to full-time workers is approximately 8 days per year. Federal, state, and local government employees typically receive all 11 federal holidays.
Unused Vacation: The Forfeiture Gap
Despite employer offerings, American workers collectively leave enormous amounts of paid time off on the table every year.
| Metric | Estimated Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Vacation days forfeited annually (US) | ~400–700 million days | US Travel Association |
| Average unused days per eligible worker | ~9–10 days | US Travel Association |
| Workers who left days unused (typical year) | ~55% of eligible workers | USTA Project: Time Off |
| Workers who took no vacation at all | ~13% | USTA Project: Time Off |
The gap between days offered and days used is one of the largest financial inefficiencies in American compensation. An employee forfeiting 9 days per year at $35/hour is leaving roughly $2,520 in earned benefits unclaimed annually.
Average PTO Accrual Rates
| Annual Allotment | Bi-Weekly Rate (÷ 26) | Semi-Monthly Rate (÷ 24) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 days (80 hours) | 3.08 hours | 3.33 hours |
| 12 days (96 hours) | 3.69 hours | 4.00 hours |
| 15 days (120 hours) | 4.62 hours | 5.00 hours |
| 20 days (160 hours) | 6.15 hours | 6.67 hours |
| 25 days (200 hours) | 7.69 hours | 8.33 hours |
The 4.62 hours per paycheck figure is one of the most Googled pay-stub questions in the US — it reflects a 15-day bi-weekly plan. Our PTO accrual guide walks through every method in detail.
PTO by Industry
Industry averages vary significantly. These figures reflect approximate median vacation allotments for full-time workers at the one-year mark, based on BLS and SHRM survey data.
| Industry | Approx. Vacation Days (1 year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Finance & Insurance | 14–18 days | Often highest among private sectors |
| Professional & Technical Services | 13–16 days | Includes tech, consulting, law |
| Information & Technology | 12–15 days | High unlimited PTO adoption |
| Healthcare | 10–14 days | Varies widely by role and employer size |
| Manufacturing | 10–12 days | Often follows union contract minimums |
| Retail & Accommodation | 7–10 days | Lower end; part-time workers often excluded |
| Education (private) | 10–15 days | Academic calendar often offsets lower allotment |
| Government (federal) | 13 days (year 1) | Rises to 20 days after 15 years of service |
Company Size and PTO
Larger employers consistently offer more paid leave than smaller ones. According to BLS data:
- Employers with 500+ employees: median ~14–16 vacation days at one year
- Employers with 100–499 employees: median ~12–14 days
- Employers with fewer than 100 employees: median ~9–11 days
Unlimited PTO Adoption
Surveys from SHRM and LinkedIn Talent Trends consistently put unlimited PTO adoption in the US at roughly 8–12% of employers, heavily concentrated in technology and professional services. Despite its appeal, research shows employees on unlimited plans typically take fewer vacation days than peers on accrued plans, because without a defined number there is no clear expectation or personal benchmark to hit.
State Paid Family and Medical Leave Adoption
As of 2026, the following states have enacted comprehensive paid family and medical leave (PFML) insurance programs funded through payroll contributions:
| State | Max Weekly Benefit | Max Duration (Family Leave) |
|---|---|---|
| California (SDI/PFL) | ~$1,620 | 8 weeks |
| New York (NYPFL) | ~$1,177 | 12 weeks |
| New Jersey (FLI) | ~$1,055 | 12 weeks |
| Washington (PFML) | ~$1,456 | 12 weeks |
| Massachusetts (PFML) | ~$1,149 | 12 weeks |
| Connecticut (PFML) | ~$941 | 12 weeks |
| Oregon (Paid Leave) | ~$1,523 | 12 weeks |
| Colorado (FAMLI) | ~$1,100 | 12 weeks |
| Delaware, Maryland, Minnesota | Varies | 12 weeks |
These programs are separate from FMLA (which is job-protected but unpaid) and from your employer's voluntary PTO bank. Our FMLA and PTO guide explains how they layer together.
How the US Compares Globally
The US stands alone among wealthy nations in providing no federally mandated paid vacation days. This is not a minor gap:
| Country | Legally Mandated Paid Vacation Days |
|---|---|
| United States | 0 (employer discretion only) |
| France | 25 days (+ 11 public holidays) |
| Germany | 20–30 days |
| United Kingdom | 28 days (including bank holidays) |
| Australia | 20 days |
| Japan | 10–20 days (based on tenure) |
| Canada | 10 days (federally regulated workers) |
| Brazil | 30 days |
Because there is no US federal floor, the full burden of advocating for your time off falls on you — through job selection, negotiation (see our guide on how to negotiate PTO), and careful tracking of every hour you earn.
Put These Benchmarks to Work
Numbers are only useful if they inform action. If your package is below the median for your tenure and industry, you have concrete data for your next offer negotiation or review conversation. If you are at or above median but still leaving days unused, the issue is planning — not benefits. Use the PTO Calculator to project your balance forward, compare it to your vacation goals, and make sure not a single earned day goes to waste.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vacation days does the average American worker get?
According to BLS data, the average private-sector full-time employee receives approximately 11 paid vacation days after one year of service, 15 days after five years, and 20 days after twenty years. These figures are for vacation only and do not include paid holidays, which add roughly 8 days for a typical office employer.
How many vacation days do Americans leave unused each year?
The US Travel Association has estimated that American workers forfeit approximately 400 to 700 million vacation days per year. The average eligible worker leaves about 9 to 10 unused days on the table annually — days that expire under use-it-or-lose-it policies or are simply never taken.
How does US vacation time compare to other countries?
The United States is one of the only developed nations with no federal mandate for paid vacation. Most European Union countries legally require at least 20 paid vacation days per year; France and Germany mandate 25 to 30. US workers rely entirely on employer policy or state law for any paid time off.
What percentage of US employers offer unlimited PTO?
Estimates consistently put unlimited PTO adoption between 8 and 12 percent of US employers, concentrated heavily in technology and professional services. Despite the appeal, employees on unlimited plans typically take fewer days than peers on accrued plans — often because there is no defined baseline to aim for.
What is the average PTO accrual rate per paycheck?
For a worker earning 15 days (120 hours) per year on a bi-weekly schedule, the per-period rate is 4.62 hours (120 ÷ 26). On a semi-monthly schedule it is exactly 5 hours (120 ÷ 24). The range of 4 to 5 hours per paycheck covers the most common full-time allotment in the US.