Pay, Time Off & Work Hour Calculators
Estimate the possible value of PTO hours under an employer-approved cash-out, sell-back, or buyback program while you are still employed.
Browser-based estimate
Estimate gross PTO cash value and a possible amount after user-entered deductions when your employer offers a cash-out program.
Use this tool only after confirming that an in-service PTO cash-out program exists and which hours are eligible. The calculator does not determine approval, create a cash-out right, or calculate exact withholding.
Leaving a job soon? Download the free Final Paycheck & PTO Payout Checklist to review your PTO balance, vacation payout, employer policy, final paycheck items, and important documents before relying on an estimate.
PTO cash-out means converting unused paid time off into money instead of taking the time away from work. Some employers allow cash-out once per year, during open enrollment, after reaching a minimum balance, or under a special program.
Many employers do not allow cash-out at all. Others allow cash-out only for vacation hours, only above a required balance, or only if the employee is still actively employed and in good standing.
PTO cash-out and PTO payout use similar math, but they answer different questions. PTO payout usually means unused PTO paid when employment ends, often with final paycheck or separation rules in the background.
PTO cash-out usually means a voluntary conversion while you are still employed. If you are leaving a job, use the PTO payout calculator instead. If you are estimating withholding on either payment, compare the result with the PTO and vacation payout tax calculator.
Gross PTO cash value = PTO hours to cash out x hourly rate.
For salary mode: estimated hourly rate = annual salary / (hours per workweek x workweeks per year). A 40-hour week across 52 weeks uses 2,080 annual work hours, but the schedule is adjustable.
Estimated deductions = gross PTO cash value x deduction percentage / 100 + flat deductions.
Estimated net cash-out = gross PTO cash value - estimated deductions.
Maybe. The first place to look is your employer's PTO cash-out policy, benefits plan, or HR guidance. Search for terms such as cash-out, sell back, buyback, PTO conversion, annual election, minimum balance, payout window, and forfeiture.
If the policy is silent, ask payroll or HR in writing before relying on a calculator result. The calculator can estimate value, but it cannot create a cash-out right.
California often treats earned vacation seriously, but a cash-out request while still employed is not the same as final vacation payout at separation. Whether cash-out is available can depend on employer policy, plan terms, and how the PTO bank is structured.
If you are in California and leaving employment, use the California PTO payout calculator. If you are still employed and asking about a cash-out program, verify the employer policy and qualified guidance before acting.
Cash-out programs often have conditions: employees may need to keep a minimum balance, make an election by a deadline, cash out only a percentage of accrued hours, or meet service and good-standing requirements.
Some policies also distinguish vacation, PTO, sick leave, personal days, and floating holidays. Do not include leave that the policy excludes from cash-out.
A paid cash-out may be processed through payroll with withholding and deductions. Treatment can depend on how payroll classifies the payment, federal and state rules, benefit deductions, garnishments, and individual tax details.
The calculator applies only the deduction percentage and flat amount you enter. Treat the result as planning math, not tax advice. Use the separate tax calculator when you need federal, state, and other estimates shown individually.
Example: you cash out 40 PTO hours at $25 per hour. Gross PTO cash value is 40 x $25 = $1,000.
If you estimate 22% deductions and no flat deductions, estimated deductions are $220 and the estimated net cash-out is $780. Your actual paycheck may differ.
Example 1: an employee cashes out 16 PTO hours at $30 per hour. The estimated gross cash value is 16 x $30 = $480 before withholding or deductions.
Example 2: an employee cashes out 24 PTO hours at $22.50 per hour with a 20% deduction estimate. Gross value is $540, estimated deductions are $108, and estimated net cash-out is $432.
Example 3: a salary employee earning $48,000 who works 32 hours per week for 50 weeks has a planning rate of $48,000 / 1,600 = $30 per hour. A 20-hour eligible cash-out has a gross value of $600.
Example 4: an employee wants to cash out 80 hours, but the policy requires keeping a 40-hour minimum balance. If only 40 hours are eligible, the calculator should use 40 hours, not the full available balance.
PTO cash-out is when an employer lets an employee exchange some unused PTO for cash while still employed or under a specific policy.
Not exactly. PTO payout often refers to unused PTO paid when employment ends. PTO cash-out usually refers to an optional cash conversion while still employed.
Only if your employer policy, plan, or agreement allows it. Many employers do not allow routine cash-out.
It depends on the employer policy and how the leave is structured. California vacation rules can be protective, but this calculator cannot decide whether a cash-out program is required or allowed.
PTO cash-out is commonly treated as taxable wages when paid, but actual withholding depends on payroll setup, tax rules, deductions, and individual facts.
No. Cash-out is usually policy-based and may be limited by eligibility, timing, minimum balances, caps, or annual enrollment rules.
Estimate only: This calculator or guide provides an estimate or general information only and is not legal, tax, payroll, or financial advice. PTO, vacation, sick leave, rollover, payout, and final paycheck rules can depend on state law, employer policy, employment agreement, local rules, and individual facts. Before relying on this estimate, check your employer handbook, pay stub, written PTO policy, final paycheck statement, and official state labor guidance where relevant. Verify with official sources, your employer, or a qualified professional.