Average PTO Days by Employer Size in the United States
According to the employee benefits survey reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [43] on March 2024, the average number of paid vacation days for private industry workers varies by the size of the establishment and the years of service. Here are the tables summarizing these averages according to company size:
Average paid vacation days for private industry workers in establishments with 1 to 99 employees
| Years of Employment | Average Paid Vacation Days |
|---|---|
| After 1 year | 10 days |
| After 5 years | 14 days |
| After 10 years | 16 days |
| After 20 years | 17 days |
source: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ebs2.pdf
Let's quickly discuss the data presented in the table. For private industry workers in establishments with 1 to 99 employees, the number of paid vacation days gradually increases with years of employment. Here's a breakdown of how vacation days accumulate over time, along with the percentage differences:
- After 1 year of employment, workers receive an average of 10 paid vacation days. This provides a solid foundation for new employees to take time off and recharge.
- After 5 years of employment, the average number of paid vacation days increases to 14, which is a 40% increase from the first year. This reflects the value placed on employee loyalty and long-term commitment.
- After 10 years of employment, workers enjoy an average of 16 paid vacation days, representing a 14.29% increase from the 5-year mark. This additional time off recognizes the significant contributions of experienced employees.
- After 20 years of employment, the average number of paid vacation days reaches 17, a 6.25% increase from the 10-year mark. This slight increase rewards the dedication and long-term service of veteran employees.
Overall, private industry workers in smaller establishments see a gradual increase in paid vacation days as they gain more years of service, highlighting the importance of employee retention and satisfaction. For smaller establishments, the PTO offerings may be less generous due to budget constraints and limited resources. These companies often rely heavily on each employee, making it harder to provide extensive time off without disrupting operations. However, smaller companies may offer other flexible work arrangements or benefits to compensate for fewer PTO days.
Average paid vacation days for private industry workers in establishments with 500 or more employees
| Years of Employment | Average Paid Vacation Days |
|---|---|
| After 1 year | 14 days |
| After 5 years | 18 days |
| After 10 years | 21 days |
| After 20 years | 24 days |
source: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ebs2.pdf
Let's dive into the data presented in the table and uncover some interesting insights. For private industry workers in establishments with 500 or more employees, the number of paid vacation days increases with years of employment, just like that of the employers with 1-99 employees we discussed earlier. Here's a breakdown of how vacation days accumulate over time, along with the percentage differences:
- After 1 year of employment, workers receive an average of 14 paid vacation days. This provides a generous amount of time off for new employees to take a break and recharge.
- After 5 years of employment, the average number of paid vacation days increases to 18, which is a 28.57% increase from the first year. This reflects the value placed on employee loyalty and long-term commitment.
- After 10 years of employment, workers enjoy an average of 21 paid vacation days, representing a 16.67% increase from the 5-year mark. This additional time off recognizes the significant contributions of experienced employees.
- After 20 years of employment, the average number of paid vacation days reaches 24, a 14.29% increase from the 10-year mark. This increase rewards the dedication and long-term service of veteran employees.
Overall, private industry workers in larger establishments see a steady increase in paid vacation days as they gain more years of service, highlighting the importance of employee retention and satisfaction. Larger employers typically have more robust PTO policies, reflecting their greater resources and ability to manage employee absences without significantly impacting operations. These companies often compete to attract and retain top talent, thereby offering more generous vacation benefits. Additionally, larger organizations may have more formalized HR policies and procedures that ensure employees are aware of and can take advantage of their PTO benefits.