Final Paycheck Calculator — Calculate Your Last Pay After Leaving a Job
Calculate your final paycheck amount when employment ends due to quitting, termination, or layoff.
This final pay calculator estimates unpaid hours, unused vacation/PTO payout, and total final wages
owed. Also called a "last paycheck calculator" or "final salary payment calculator," this tool helps
you verify what your employer should pay you.
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.
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.
Used by employees to estimate unpaid wages before speaking with an employment
lawyer, labor board, or payroll department.
If you believe you may be owed wages, this calculator can help you estimate amounts
before deciding whether to speak with an employment lawyer or contact a labor board.
Important: Final paycheck rules vary by jurisdiction.
Some regions require unused vacation to be paid out, while others do not.
This calculator provides estimates only and is not legal advice.
What Should a Final Paycheck Include?
A final paycheck may include unpaid regular wages, overtime, accrued vacation,
commissions, or bonuses depending on employment agreements and local labor laws.
When Is a Final Paycheck Due?
Final paycheck deadlines vary by jurisdiction and can depend on whether the employee quit or was terminated.
Some regions require quicker payment, while others allow payment by the next scheduled payday.
Use the calculator above to estimate unpaid hours and optional PTO/vacation payout that may still be owed
when employment ends (termination, resignation, or layoff).
Enter your hourly rate, hours worked, hours already paid, and any remaining PTO
to calculate an estimated final payout. This tool is designed to highlight
discrepancies between expected earnings and the amount issued in a final check.
Employees in the United States and Canada often use this calculator to prepare
for discussions with employers, payroll departments, or labor authorities
regarding missing or delayed final pay.
Related Wage Calculators
Final paychecks may include unpaid wages, overtime,
or past compensation errors. These tools cover related claims.
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.
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.