The United States is the only developed nation in the world with no federal law requiring paid vacation time. Despite this, most full-time American workers do receive paid vacation — but the amount varies enormously by employer, industry, and how long you've been on the job.
If you've ever wondered whether your PTO is above average, below average, or just plain stingy — this guide has the numbers.
The National Average at a Glance
1 year of service
5 years of service
10 years of service
20 years of service
These figures are for private sector workers. Government and public sector employees typically receive more generous time off — often 13–26 days depending on the agency and tenure.
It's also worth noting these are averages across all industries and company sizes. As we'll see below, there's a wide range depending on where you work.
Average Vacation Days by Years of Service
| Years of Service | Avg. Vacation Days | Avg. Vacation 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 |
| 15 years | 18 days | 144 hours |
| 20+ years | 20 days | 160 hours |
Most companies have a tiered structure where you earn more vacation time the longer you stay. If you're approaching a service milestone (say, your 5-year anniversary), it's worth confirming with HR exactly when your increased allotment kicks in — it's not always on your exact anniversary date.
Average Vacation Days by Industry
Industry matters enormously. A software engineer at a large tech company might receive unlimited PTO or 20+ days from day one. Someone in food service or retail might receive nothing at all.
| Industry | Average Vacation Days (1 yr) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | 15–20 days | Many offer unlimited PTO |
| Finance & Banking | 15 days | Often more with tenure |
| Government / Public Sector | 13–15 days | Plus more sick leave |
| Healthcare | 12–15 days | Often combined PTO bank |
| Education | Varies widely | Long breaks but limited cash PTO |
| Manufacturing | 10–12 days | Often tied to union contracts |
| Retail & Food Service | 6–8 days | Often part-time ineligible |
| Legal & Professional Services | 14–18 days | Higher at larger firms |
| Nonprofits | 14–16 days | Sometimes offset lower salaries |
Average Vacation Days by Company Size
Larger companies generally offer more PTO — partly because they can afford it and partly because generous benefits are necessary to compete for talent.
| Company Size | Avg. Vacation Days (1 yr) |
|---|---|
| 1–99 employees | 8–10 days |
| 100–499 employees | 10–12 days |
| 500+ employees | 13–15 days |
| Fortune 500 | 15–20 days |
How the US Compares to the Rest of the World
By international standards, American workers receive very little guaranteed time off. This puts the US as an outlier among wealthy nations:
| Country | Mandated Vacation Days | Typical Total (with holidays) |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇹 Austria | 25 days | 38 days |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 20 days | 30 days |
| 🇫🇷 France | 25 days | 36 days |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 28 days | 36 days |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 10 days | 20 days |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | 10 days | 19 days |
| 🇺🇸 United States | 0 days | ~11 days (voluntary) |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | 30 days | 41 days |
Despite having no legal requirement, roughly 80% of full-time US workers in the private sector do receive paid vacation from their employers. The competitive job market has effectively created a de facto standard even without legislation.
What About "Unlimited PTO"?
Unlimited PTO has grown in popularity among tech companies and startups. In theory, you can take as much time off as you want. In practice, it's more complicated.
Research consistently finds that employees with unlimited PTO often take less time off than those with a set number of days. Without a defined balance to track, people feel uncertain about what's "acceptable" to take, and often default to taking only what their colleagues take — or less.
📊 Unlimited PTO in practice
Studies have found workers at companies with unlimited PTO take an average of 13 days per year — compared to the 15 days reported by workers with traditional set policies. The absence of a defined entitlement can paradoxically reduce vacation usage.
How to Negotiate More PTO
If your current PTO allotment feels inadequate, you may have more leverage than you think — especially at job offer time or during performance reviews. Vacation time is one of the most negotiable parts of a compensation package.
When to negotiate
The best time to negotiate PTO is before you accept a job offer, when your leverage is highest. After you've signed, it becomes a benefit change that requires HR approval. During performance reviews is the second-best window.
What to say
What to ask for
If the company policy is 10 days and you want 15, asking for the full jump at once may feel too aggressive. Try asking for a specific intermediate step — "Could we do 12 days to start, with a path to 15 after my first year?" — which is easier for a manager to approve.
Are You Making the Most of the PTO You Have?
Most Americans leave vacation days unused every year. A recent study found the average American worker leaves 4–5 days of PTO on the table annually. Over a 30-year career, that's 120–150 days of vacation time that was earned but never taken.
The solution isn't just to "take more time off" — it's to plan ahead. When you know your projected balance months in advance, you can schedule time off strategically rather than scrambling at year-end or realizing in January that you lost hours you could have used.
See How Your PTO Stacks Up
Enter your allowance into PTO Planner to see your projected balance through year-end, get warned before you risk losing any hours, and plan your trips so you make the most of every single day you've earned.
Open the Free PTO Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
Does the US average include sick days?
The 11–20 day figures above refer to vacation days specifically. Many employers offer additional sick leave (typically 5–10 days) or a combined PTO bank. When sick days are included, overall PTO balances are higher — but vacation-specific entitlements are lower.
Do part-time workers get vacation time?
It depends entirely on the employer and sometimes the state. Some employers offer prorated vacation to part-time employees; many do not. States like California, Colorado, and New York have stronger requirements around part-time leave.
Can your employer reduce your vacation days?
Employers can generally change PTO policies going forward with reasonable notice, but in most states they cannot take away PTO you've already earned and accrued. Consult your employee handbook and a labor attorney if you believe your accrued balance has been reduced unlawfully.