Missouri leaves PTO payout to your employer

Not automatically. Missouri has no law forcing payout, so your written PTO policy or contract decides.

Data updated September 26, 2026

Key facts for Missouri

PTO payout when you leave: Depends on employer policy
Legal authority: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 290.110
Final paycheck if you quit: Next regular payday
Final paycheck if fired or laid off: Immediately (same day)
Late final pay: State penalty applies details
Paid sick leave: No state mandate
Minimum wage: $15.00/hr
Overtime: 1.5x after 40 hrs/week

Source

Rule: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 290.110
Published by: labor.mo.gov
Last updated: September 26, 2026

How we source and check data

Work out what you are owed

Salary and unused days in, gross payout and an after-tax estimate out.

Calculate my Missouri PTO payout

Missouri minimum wage All states

Does Missouri require PTO payout?

Not automatically. Missouri has no law forcing employers to pay out unused PTO, so it comes down to your written policy or contract. If the policy promises payout, that promise is enforceable as wages. The controlling authority is Mo. Rev. Stat. § 290.110.

How Missouri treats accrued PTO

Missouri has no law requiring paid vacation or payout of unused vacation. Payout is owed only if the employer's contract or policy provides for it. Wages are due on the day of discharge. Missouri has no statute on final pay for employees who quit; the state labor department treats the next regular payday as the benchmark.

Authority: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 290.110

Late payment penalty in Missouri

If a discharged employee's wages are not paid within 7 days of a written request, wages continue at the same rate until paid, for up to 60 days.

Statute: Mo. Rev. Stat. § 290.110

Your other Missouri entitlements

PTO payout is one line on your final payslip. These are the other Missouri rules that change what that payslip should total.

Paid sick leave: Missouri has no state paid sick leave mandate, so sick time is whatever your employer offers, and it is separate from the vacation balance discussed above. Missouri has no state paid sick leave law. Check your employer's policy. Check your sick leave balance .
Minimum wage: The Missouri minimum wage is $15.00/hr , above the federal $7.25 (effective January 1, 2026). Your PTO payout is paid at your own rate of pay, not the minimum, but the minimum is the floor below which no hour may be paid. Missouri minimum wage details .
Overtime: Missouri pays overtime at 1.5x after 40 hours in a week . Unpaid overtime is often owed alongside unpaid PTO, so it is worth checking both before you sign anything. Calculate your overtime .

Sources for this page

Missouri labour department — PTO and wage payment labor.mo.gov
Missouri final paycheck rules — Mo. Rev. Stat. § 290.110 revisor.mo.gov
US Department of Labor — state wage payment laws dol.gov

Common questions

Does Missouri require employers to pay out unused PTO?

When must my final paycheck arrive in Missouri if I quit?

If you resign in Missouri, the deadline is: Next regular payday. If you are fired or laid off instead, the deadline is: Immediately (same day). Any PTO your employer owes you should be included in that payment rather than sent separately later.

What happens if my Missouri employer pays late?

Missouri attaches a penalty to late final wages: If a discharged employee's wages are not paid within 7 days of a written request, wages continue at the same rate until paid, for up to 60 days. That penalty is separate from the wages themselves, so a late payment can end up costing an employer far more than the original amount. Keep a record of your separation date and the date you were actually paid.

Can Missouri employers use "use it or lose it" PTO policies?

Generally yes, provided the policy is in writing and was communicated to you. Missouri does not treat accrued PTO as protected wages in every case, so a clearly disclosed forfeiture or year-end reset can be enforced. An undisclosed or ambiguous policy is much weaker.

Is a PTO payout taxed differently in Missouri?

No. A PTO payout is ordinary wages, so it is subject to federal income tax withholding, Social Security at 6.2%, Medicare at 1.45%, and any Missouri state income tax. Employers often withhold federal tax at the 22% supplemental wage rate on a lump sum, which can make the payout look more heavily taxed than your normal paycheck; it evens out when you file.

PTO payout in other states

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