Ohio leaves PTO payout to your employer

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

Data updated September 26, 2026

Key facts for Ohio

PTO payout when you leave: Depends on employer policy
Legal authority: Ohio Rev. Code § 4113.15
Final paycheck if you quit: Next regular payday
Final paycheck if fired or laid off: Next regular payday
Late final pay: State penalty applies details
Paid sick leave: No state mandate
Minimum wage: $11.00/hr
Overtime: 1.5x after 40 hrs/week

Source

Rule: Ohio Rev. Code § 4113.15
Published by: codes.ohio.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 Ohio PTO payout

Ohio minimum wage All states

Does Ohio require PTO payout?

Not automatically. Ohio 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 Ohio Rev. Code § 4113.15.

How Ohio treats accrued PTO

Ohio does not require PTO payout by statute. Whether PTO is paid out depends on the employer's written policy or agreement. If the policy clearly states PTO is forfeited, that is generally enforceable. If the policy is silent or ambiguous, employees may have a claim for payment.

Authority: Ohio Rev. Code § 4113.15

Late payment penalty in Ohio

If wages stay unpaid 30 days past the scheduled payday and are not disputed, liquidated damages of 6% of the unpaid amount or $200, whichever is greater.

Statute: Ohio Rev. Code § 4113.15

Your other Ohio entitlements

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

Paid sick leave: Ohio 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. Ohio has no state paid sick leave law. Check your employer's policy. Check your sick leave balance .
Minimum wage: The Ohio minimum wage is $11.00/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. Ohio minimum wage details .
Overtime: Ohio 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

Ohio labour department — PTO and wage payment codes.ohio.gov
US Department of Labor — state wage payment laws dol.gov

Common questions

Does Ohio require employers to pay out unused PTO?

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

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

What happens if my Ohio employer pays late?

Ohio attaches a penalty to late final wages: If wages stay unpaid 30 days past the scheduled payday and are not disputed, liquidated damages of 6% of the unpaid amount or $200, whichever is greater. 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 Ohio employers use "use it or lose it" PTO policies?

Generally yes, provided the policy is in writing and was communicated to you. Ohio 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 Ohio?

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 Ohio 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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