Free sick leave calculator 2026. Calculate sick leave accrual per pay period, track used vs remaining balance, and check compliance with state mandates (CA, NY, WA, MA, OR, and other paid sick leave states).
Select your state — accrual rate and annual cap auto-populate based on state mandates.
Enter total hours worked in the year (full-time = 2,080h).
Enter sick hours already used this year.
Optionally override accrual with a manual value (for employer plans more generous than state minimum).
Click Calculate Sick Leave to see accrued, used, and remaining balance.
14 states and DC mandate paid sick leave accrual based on hours worked. Typical rate: 1 hour per 30 hours worked, capped at 24-56 hours per year. Federal FLSA does not require sick leave. State-mandated sick leave is in addition to FMLA (unpaid) and any employer-provided disability insurance.
2,080h worked x (1/30) = 69.3h accrued. CA cap = 48h (for employers with 25 or fewer employees; 80h for 25+). Accrued = 48h. Used = 16h. Remaining = 32h.
1,040h worked (half-time) x (1/30) = 34.7h accrued. NY cap = 40h (employers with 4+ employees) or 56h (100+ employees). Used = 12h. Remaining = 22.7h.
2,080h x (1/40) = 52h accrued. WA cap = 40h. Accrued = 40h. Used = 8h. Remaining = 32h.
Texas has no state sick leave mandate. FLSA does not require sick leave. Worker relies on employer policy: typical 40-80h/year. Manual accrual = 40h. Used = 24h. Remaining = 16h.
2,080h x (1/30) = 69.3h accrued. MA cap = 40h. Accrued = 40h. Used = 32h. Remaining = 8h.
Find answers to the most common questions about sick leave calculator.
14 states + DC mandate paid sick leave: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington. Plus DC. Many cities (NYC, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, Philadelphia) have stricter local mandates.
Most state mandates use: 1 hour of sick leave per 30 hours worked (CA, NY, MA, MD, AZ, NJ, etc.). Washington uses 1 hour per 40 hours worked. Annual caps range from 24h (Vermont) to 80h (CA for 25+ employees, NJ, NY for 100+ employees). Unused sick leave must roll over year-to-year in most mandate states.
Yes — all state sick leave mandates allow use for care of a family member (child, spouse, parent, domestic partner, and in some states grandparent, sibling, or "chosen family"). Also typically covers domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking (safe leave), and school closures due to public health emergencies.
No. FMLA provides up to 12 weeks of UNPAID, job-protected leave for serious illness or family care (employer 50+ employees). State paid sick leave is PAID but limited (typically 40-80h/year). Some states (CA, NY, NJ, RI, WA, MA, CT, OR, CO, DC, MN, MD, DE) offer separate Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) insurance programs providing 6-12 weeks of partial wage replacement.
Yes — in most state mandate states, unused sick leave must roll over year-to-year (subject to the annual cap). California, NY, WA, MA, OR, AZ, CT all require rollover. Employers may "cash out" unused sick leave at year-end in lieu of rollover in some states. Check your state DOL.
Generally NO — sick leave is not required to be paid out at termination in most states (unlike vacation/PTO which is treated as earned wages in CA, CO, IL, LA, MA, NE, ND, OR, RI). Some employer policies voluntarily pay out sick leave. California does NOT require sick leave payout unless policy specifically allows it.
Calculations and computational models on QuickBizCalc are verified against published regulatory standards and statutory tax tables:
Publication 15-T (Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods) & Publication 15 (Employer's Tax Guide).
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA 29 U.S.C. § 207) regulations on overtime hours, recordkeeping, and minimum wage.
OASDI taxable maximum wage base limits and statutory FICA tax rates (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare).
Formulas and worked examples are checked against the sources above before publishing. For advice on your own situation, consult a licensed tax professional or accountant.
Full-time = ~2,080h/year. 1 FTE = 40h × 52w.
Sick Leave Remaining
32.0h
Accrual Rate
3.33%
Annual Cap
48h
Hours Worked
2080h
Accrued
48.0h
