Paid Family Leave Calculator

Estimate your paid family leave benefit amount based on qualifying wages, state benefit rate, and duration. Calculate weekly and total benefits for bonding or caregiving.

67% of avg weekly wage, 12 weeks

$
%
$
Additional employer supplement
$
Weekly State Benefit
$966.14
0.67% of weekly wage
Weekly with Top-Up
$966.14
No employer supplement
Total State Benefit
$11,593.68
Over 12 weeks
Total Combined Income
$11,593.68
State benefit + employer top-up
Wage Replacement Rate
67%
Moderate replacement
Weekly Income Gap
$475.86
$5,710.32 total lost over leave period

Income Replacement

Regular Weekly Wage$1,442.00/wk
State Benefit$966.14/wk
Benefit + Top-Up$966.14/wk
WeekWeekly BenefitCumulative
Week 1$966.14$966.14
Week 2$966.14$1,932.28
Week 3$966.14$2,898.42
Week 4$966.14$3,864.56
Week 12$966.14$11,593.68
Planning notes, formulas, and examples

About the Paid Family Leave Calculator

Paid Family Leave (PFL) programs provide partial wage replacement when you take time off to bond with a new child, care for a seriously ill family member, or assist with military deployment needs. Unlike unpaid FMLA, PFL puts money in your pocket while you're away from work.

Benefit amounts vary by state and are typically calculated as a percentage of your average weekly wage, up to a cap. This calculator estimates your weekly benefit and total benefit based on your qualifying wages, the state's benefit rate, and the number of weeks you plan to take.

Whether you're planning for a new baby, caring for an aging parent, or helping a military family member, This calculator helps you set realistic financial expectations for your leave period.

When This Page Helps

Without knowing your benefit amount in advance, you can't budget effectively for a period of reduced income. This calculator bridges the gap between your regular paycheck and actual PFL benefits, so you can plan savings, adjust expenses, or coordinate with supplemental employer benefits.

How to Use the Inputs

  1. Enter your average weekly wage (or annual salary รท 52).
  2. Enter the state benefit rate as a percentage (e.g., 67%).
  3. Enter the maximum weekly benefit cap for your state.
  4. Enter the number of weeks of leave you plan to take.
  5. Review your estimated weekly benefit and total payout.
  6. Calculate the income gap between your regular pay and PFL benefits.
Formula used
Weekly Benefit = Min(Average Weekly Wage ร— Benefit Rate, Weekly Cap) Total Benefit = Weekly Benefit ร— Weeks of Leave Income Gap = Regular Weekly Pay โˆ’ Weekly Benefit

Example Calculation

Result: $804.00/week, $9,648.00 total

$1,200 ร— 67% = $804.00. This is under the $1,151 weekly cap, so the full $804.00 applies. Over 12 weeks: $804.00 ร— 12 = $9,648.00 total benefit. The weekly income gap is $1,200 โˆ’ $804 = $396.

Tips & Best Practices

  • Check your state's specific PFL program โ€” rates, caps, and durations vary significantly.
  • Some employers supplement PFL with additional pay to bring you closer to full salary.
  • PFL benefits are generally taxable at the federal level; state taxation varies.
  • File your PFL claim as early as possible โ€” there's often a waiting period before benefits begin.
  • You can usually take PFL intermittently (in separate blocks) within a 12-month period.
  • Coordinate PFL with FMLA so both job protection and pay replacement run concurrently.

State-by-State Variation

Paid Family Leave programs differ dramatically between states. California's program offers 60โ€“70% wage replacement for up to 8 weeks. New York provides 67% for up to 12 weeks. Washington offers up to 90% for low earners and up to 12 weeks for family leave (plus 12 for medical). Always check your state's current program details.

Coordinating PFL with Employer Benefits

Many employers offer paid parental leave or short-term disability that can supplement PFL benefits. Some require you to exhaust PFL before employer benefits kick in; others allow concurrent use. Coordinate all available benefits to maximize your total income during leave.

Financial Planning for Leave

Before your leave starts, build a budget based on your expected PFL benefit amount. Account for reduced income, continued benefit premiums, and any additional expenses related to your leave reason. Having a financial cushion equal to 2โ€“4 weeks of the income gap provides a safety net for delayed benefit payments.

Sources & Methodology

Last updated:

Frequently Asked Questions

  • As of 2024, California, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Oregon, Colorado, Maryland, Delaware, and Minnesota (effective 2026) have enacted paid family leave programs. Each state has unique eligibility, duration, and benefit structures.