Final Paycheck Calculator — Calculate Final Pay
Enter your hours and pay rate below — your estimated final paycheck appears instantly.
What's included: Unpaid hours from your final work period + unused PTO (if your state requires payout). Final paychecks are taxed the same as regular paychecks — your net take-home will be roughly 70–80% of the gross estimate.
Unpaid Hours: —
PTO Payout: —
Total Estimated Final Pay: —
On this page: Last paycheck vs final pay · How to calculate final pay · Resignation vs termination · When payment is due · FAQ
Related help: Unpaid wages (missing hours) calculator · Unpaid overtime calculator · Back pay calculator
Last Paycheck Calculator: Estimate Your Final Salary Payment
This tool serves as both a final paycheck calculator and last paycheck calculator. Both terms refer to the same thing: the final payment you receive when leaving a job through quitting, termination, resignation, or layoff.
What this calculator estimates:
- Unpaid hours from your final pay period (hours worked but not yet paid)
- PTO/vacation payout for unused paid time off (if required in your jurisdiction)
- Total final pay combining both components
Many people search for "final salary payment calculator" or "calculate final paycheck" when trying to determine what their employer owes them. This tool provides that estimate based on hours worked and your pay rate.
Just need missing hours (no PTO)? Use the Unpaid Wages Calculator for a simpler calculation. Multiple pay periods of underpayment? Use the Back Pay Calculator instead.
How to Calculate Final Pay and Last Paycheck: Step-by-Step
Calculating final pay means determining all compensation owed when employment ends. Whether you quit, were terminated, or laid off, follow these steps to calculate your final paycheck amount:
- Identify your final work period — Determine the last day you worked and which pay period it falls into. Your final pay covers work from your last paycheck through your termination date.
- Calculate unpaid regular hours — Count hours worked in your final period that haven't been paid yet. Multiply these hours by your regular hourly rate.
- Add unpaid overtime — If you worked overtime in your final period, calculate those hours at 1.5× or 2× your regular rate (see Overtime Pay Calculator).
- Include accrued PTO/vacation — Check if your state requires payout of unused vacation days. If yes, multiply unused PTO hours by your hourly rate. Note: Not all states require PTO payout.
- Add other earned compensation — Include unpaid commissions, bonuses, or reimbursements owed from before your termination date.
- Account for deductions — Remember that final paychecks are subject to standard payroll taxes (federal, state, Social Security, Medicare). Your net final pay will be less than the gross amount.
- Verify your calculation — Use this final paycheck calculator to estimate your gross final pay, then compare it to what your employer actually paid.
This calculator handles steps 2-4 automatically. For a comprehensive final pay calculation that includes multiple pay periods of back pay, use the Back Pay Calculator.
Common mistake: Many people forget that final paychecks are taxed like regular paychecks. If your gross final pay is $1,000, expect your net (take-home) to be $700-800 after taxes depending on your withholding.
Final Pay After Resignation vs After Termination
The calculation of your final pay is the same whether you quit or were fired, but the timing of when you must receive it may differ depending on your location:
Final Paycheck After Quitting (Voluntary Resignation)
When you resign voluntarily, most states require your employer to pay your final wages by the next regular payday. Some states (like California) require payment within 72 hours if you gave less than 72 hours notice, or immediately if you gave at least 72 hours notice.
Your final pay should include all hours worked through your last day, plus accrued PTO if state law requires payout.
Final Paycheck After Termination (Involuntary)
If you were fired or laid off, many jurisdictions require immediate payment or payment by the end of the next business day. This faster timeline protects workers who may depend on that income.
The amount owed is calculated the same way: unpaid hours + accrued PTO (if applicable) + any other earned compensation like commissions or bonuses.
State-specific rules vary significantly. California, Massachusetts, and New York have strict immediate-payment rules for terminated employees. Other states allow payment on the next regular payday. Check your state's Department of Labor website for specific requirements.
If your termination was wrongful, you may be entitled to additional compensation beyond your final paycheck. See the Wrongful Termination Compensation Calculator for estimates of potential damages.
Legal context: Read about unpaid wages laws, final paycheck rules, and employee rights before contacting a labor board or employment attorney.
What Should a Final Paycheck Include?
A final paycheck must include all compensation earned but not yet paid as of your last day. This typically covers:
- Regular wages for all hours worked in the final pay period
- Overtime pay for any overtime hours worked — use the Overtime Pay Calculator if this applies
- Accrued vacation or PTO — required in California, Colorado, and several other states; not required in others
- Unpaid commissions or bonuses that were earned before termination, even if not yet processed
- Expense reimbursements submitted and approved before termination
Employers cannot withhold a final paycheck as leverage for unreturned equipment, incomplete notice periods, or other reasons — doing so is typically a wage violation.
When Is a Final Paycheck Due?
Final paycheck timing depends on your state and whether you quit or were terminated. Key rules by scenario:
- Terminated (fired or laid off): California requires immediate payment on the day of termination. Most other states require payment by the next business day or the next regular payday
- Resigned with notice: Most states allow payment on the next regular payday. California requires payment on your last day if you gave at least 72 hours notice
- Resigned without notice: California requires payment within 72 hours. Other states generally allow the next regular payday
Missing a final paycheck deadline can trigger waiting-time penalties in addition to the wages owed. In California, an employer who willfully fails to pay final wages on time owes the employee one day's wages for each day of delay, up to 30 days.
For broader legal context, see unpaid wages laws and employee rights. If your final paycheck was delayed or withheld, the waiting-time penalty section may significantly increase what you're owed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my final paycheck?
To calculate your final paycheck, add together: (1) unpaid hours from your final work period multiplied by your hourly rate, (2) unused PTO or vacation hours (if your state requires payout) multiplied by your hourly rate, and (3) any unpaid commissions, bonuses, or reimbursements. The formula is: Final Pay = (Unpaid Hours × Rate) + (Unused PTO × Rate) + Other Compensation.
Remember that your final paycheck will have standard tax withholdings deducted, so your actual take-home (net pay) will be less than the gross amount you calculate.
What's the difference between final pay and last paycheck?
There is no difference — "final pay," "last paycheck," and "final paycheck" all refer to the same thing: the final payment an employee receives when leaving a job. The terms are used interchangeably, though "final paycheck" is most common in the United States while "final pay" or "final salary payment" may be used in other contexts.
What is a final paycheck?
A final paycheck is the last payment an employee receives after leaving a job due to quitting, termination, or layoff. It typically includes all earned wages up to the last day worked and may also include unused paid time off, commissions, or bonuses, depending on employer policy and law.
What should be included in a final paycheck?
A final paycheck usually includes regular wages, overtime, and any other earned compensation that was not previously paid. Some employers also include unused vacation or PTO if required by policy or local labor laws. Deductions and taxes still apply.
When must a final paycheck be paid?
The deadline for paying a final paycheck depends on state or provincial labor laws and whether the employee quit or was terminated. Some jurisdictions require immediate payment, while others allow payment on the next regular payday.
Is a final paycheck taxed differently?
No, a final paycheck is generally taxed the same as a regular paycheck. Standard payroll taxes and withholdings still apply. Certain payments, such as bonuses or accrued vacation, may be taxed at supplemental rates depending on payroll rules.
What if my final paycheck is missing wages?
If your final paycheck is missing wages, overtime, or other earned pay, it may be considered unpaid wages. Employees can request a correction from the employer and may have the right to file a wage claim if the issue is not resolved.
Do I get a final paycheck if I quit without notice?
In most cases, employees are still entitled to receive their final paycheck even if they quit without notice. Employers are generally required to pay for all hours worked, regardless of how employment ended.
Can I use this as a final salary calculator?
Yes. Salaried employees can use this as a final salary calculator by converting their annual salary to an hourly equivalent (annual salary ÷ 2,080 for full-time). Enter the hourly equivalent as your rate, then input hours worked and hours already paid to estimate your final salary payment. For example, a $52,000/year salary = $25/hour equivalent.
Is this final paycheck calculator legally accurate?
This final paycheck calculator provides an estimate for informational purposes only. It does not account for jurisdiction-specific labor laws, penalties, or employer-specific policies. It should not be considered legal or financial advice.
For other pay scenarios, view all wage and paycheck calculators.