Your estimated minimum vacation pay
Vacation pay is a percentage of the gross wages earned in the vacation entitlement year. Vacation time (the weeks off) is a separate entitlement and is shown with the result.
Free tool · Canada · Estimate only
Vacation Pay Calculator
Pick your jurisdiction, enter the gross wages earned in the vacation entitlement year and your years of service, and see the minimum vacation pay at that jurisdiction's percentage. This is an estimate only, at the statutory minimum percentage. Your contract or collective agreement may give more. This is not advice.
Written November 12, 2026
Only the jurisdictions listed here are covered. Each percentage below is the current minimum in that jurisdiction's employment standards.
Gross wages earned in the 12-month vacation entitlement year, not counting vacation pay itself.
Years of employment with the same employer at the end of the vacation entitlement year.
How the estimate works
Ontario. Less than 5 years of employment: 4% of gross wages and 2 weeks of vacation time. Five or more years: 6% and 3 weeks.
British Columbia. Vacation pay is at least 4% of total wages; it rises to 6% after 5 consecutive years with the same employer. Vacation time is 2 weeks after 1 year and 3 weeks after 5 consecutive years.
Alberta. After 1 year: 2 weeks of vacation and vacation pay of 4% of annual wages. After 5 years: 3 weeks and 6%.
Federal (Canada Labour Code). Vacation pay is 4% of earnings at 2 weeks of vacation, 6% at 3 weeks, and 8% at 4 weeks, reached after 10 years of employment.
What this calculator leaves out. Jurisdictions not listed above, exempt jobs, stub periods, and contract or collective-agreement amounts above the minimum.
Sources: Government of Ontario, Vacation — Your guide to the Employment Standards Act — Ontario's 4% and 6% rates and the 5-year threshold. Government of British Columbia, Working in B.C. (Employment Standards poster) — B.C.'s 4% rate rising to 6% after 5 consecutive years. Government of Alberta, Employment Standards Guide for Employees — Alberta's 4% rate rising to 6% after 5 years. Government of Canada, Annual vacations and general holidays — federally regulated employers — the federal 4%, 6% and 8% rates.
Next step: read the full step-by-step guide: Hiring Your First Employee in Canada Checklist: Business Number, Payroll, Employment Standards, and Year-End Reporting