Quick formula
Vacation Accrual Rate = Annual Vacation Hours ÷ Pay Periods Per Year
Example: 80 vacation hours ÷ 26 biweekly periods = 3.08 hours per paycheck
Vacation accrual by annual hours
Full-time employees with separate vacation banks. Rates assume even accrual across the plan year.
| Annual vacation | Weekly (52) | Biweekly (26) | Semi-monthly (24) | Monthly (12) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 hrs (5 days) | 0.77 hrs | 1.54 hrs | 1.67 hrs | 3.33 hrs |
| 56 hrs (7 days) | 1.08 hrs | 2.15 hrs | 2.33 hrs | 4.67 hrs |
| 64 hrs (8 days) | 1.23 hrs | 2.46 hrs | 2.67 hrs | 5.33 hrs |
| 80 hrs (10 days) | 1.54 hrs | 3.08 hrs | 3.33 hrs | 6.67 hrs |
| 96 hrs (12 days) | 1.85 hrs | 3.69 hrs | 4 hrs | 8 hrs |
| 104 hrs (13 days) | 2 hrs | 4 hrs | 4.33 hrs | 8.67 hrs |
| 120 hrs (15 days) | 2.31 hrs | 4.62 hrs | 5 hrs | 10 hrs |
| 136 hrs (17 days) | 2.62 hrs | 5.23 hrs | 5.67 hrs | 11.33 hrs |
| 160 hrs (20 days) | 3.08 hrs | 6.15 hrs | 6.67 hrs | 13.33 hrs |
| 200 hrs (25 days) | 3.85 hrs | 7.69 hrs | 8.33 hrs | 16.67 hrs |
Vacation accrual by tenure (planning ranges)
Many employers increase vacation with years of service. These are illustrative U.S. private-sector planning levels.
| Years of service | Typical annual vacation | Biweekly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1 year | 40–56 hrs (5–7 days) | 1.54–2.15 hrs |
| 1–3 years | 80 hrs (10 days) | 3.08 hrs |
| 3–5 years | 96–120 hrs (12–15 days) | 3.69–4.62 hrs |
| 5–10 years | 120–160 hrs (15–20 days) | 4.62–6.15 hrs |
| 10+ years | 160–200 hrs (20–25 days) | 6.15–7.69 hrs |
How to read this chart
- Find your annual vacation grant in the first table.
- Match the column to your pay frequency.
- Compare the rate to your pay stub accrual line.
- If vacation is combined with sick time, use the PTO Accrual Rate Chart instead.