North Carolina PTO and vacation calculator - 2026

Calculate your North Carolina PTO balance, accrual rate, and payout value. North Carolina does not require vacation payout by law. Track your vacation days and calculate what unused PTO is worth.

PTO balance calculator

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Your annual PTO allowance from employer
Days taken this year including pending
Approved future time off
PTO carried over from previous year

North Carolina PTO laws - vacation payout and accrual rights

What North Carolina law says about paid time off payout and accrual

North Carolina does not require vacation payout by law

Employer policy enforced through Wage and Hour Act

North Carolina PTO law overview

North Carolina does not require vacation payout but enforces written employer policies through the Wage and Hour Act. North Carolina courts have consistently held that earned vacation described in writing is a wage that must be paid.

North Carolina has some of the most worker-friendly court decisions on PTO despite lacking a statutory mandate. North Carolina courts treat clearly promised vacation benefits as earned wages subject to the Wage and Hour Act.

Governing law

North Carolina PTO and vacation law is governed by North Carolina Wage and Hour Act NCGS 95-25.12 (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 95-25.12). The official authority for North Carolina wage and hour enforcement including PTO disputes is the North Carolina Department of Labor.

Official sources for North Carolina PTO law:

Data: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 95-25.12. Last verified: 2026. PTO laws change. Consult an employment attorney for advice specific to your North Carolina situation.

Frequently asked questions - PTO

Do employers have to pay out unused PTO when you leave?
It depends on your state. California, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Rhode Island require employers to pay out all accrued unused PTO upon termination. Most other states allow employers to set their own policy - if your employer's policy says PTO is paid out, they must honor it. Always check your employee handbook and state law.
How is PTO accrual calculated?
PTO accrual is typically calculated as hours earned per pay period. For example, if you earn 15 days (120 hours) per year paid bi-weekly, you accrue 120 / 26 = 4.62 hours per pay period. Some employers give a lump sum at the start of the year instead of accruing gradually. Your employee handbook should specify your accrual method.
Can employers have a use-it-or-lose-it PTO policy?
In most states yes - employers can require you to use PTO by year end or forfeit it. However, California, Colorado, and a few other states prohibit use-it-or-lose-it policies because they classify accrued PTO as earned wages. In these states, unused PTO must roll over or be paid out.
What is the difference between PTO and vacation days?
PTO (Paid Time Off) is a combined bank of paid leave that covers vacation, sick days, and personal days. Traditional vacation days are separate from sick leave. Most modern employers use a single PTO bank for simplicity. The key difference is that PTO can be used for any reason, while vacation time is typically pre-scheduled and sick days require an illness.