How Many Paid Vacation Days Does the Average Company Offer?

By Anna Duncan

Paid vacation days are a much-anticipated benefit that employees eagerly look forward to. It’s the time when they can unwind, relax, and spend quality time with their loved ones.

But how many paid vacation days does the average company offer? Let’s find out.

How Many Paid Vacation Days Do Companies Offer?

According to a recent study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the average number of paid vacation days that companies offer to their employees is 17.2 days per year. This includes both full-time and part-time employees.

How Does Vacation Time Vary by Industry?

The amount of paid vacation time offered by industries can vary significantly. For example, the same SHRM survey found that industries such as finance and insurance offered an average of 22.1 days of paid vacation per year, while retail and hospitality industries offered only 13.9 days on average.

How Do Vacation Days Increase with Tenure?

Many companies offer an increasing number of vacation days based on an employee’s tenure with the company. The longer an employee works for a company, the more vacation time they receive.

For example, at some companies, employees may start with only two weeks (10 days) of paid vacation but receive additional weeks after three, five or ten years of service. In some cases, employees can receive up to six weeks (30 days) or more of paid vacation after many years of service.

Other Types of Paid Time Off

In addition to paid vacation time, many companies also offer other types of paid time off (PTO) benefits such as:

  • Sick Leave: Sick leave allows employees to take paid time off when they are ill or need to care for a sick family member.
  • Paid Holidays: Paid holidays are days when employees receive pay for not working, such as Christmas Day or Independence Day.
  • Personal Days: Personal days are typically used for any reason an employee desires, such as attending a child’s school event or taking care of personal errands.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the average number of paid vacation days offered by companies is 17. However, this number can vary by industry and increase with tenure.

In addition to paid vacation time, many companies also offer other types of PTO benefits such as sick leave, paid holidays, and personal days. It’s essential to consider all these benefits when evaluating a job offer or deciding whether to stay with your current employer.