LeaveCalc / Washington / PFML weekly benefit calculator

Washington Paid Leave calculator

Enter your gross wage and instantly estimate your 2026 WA Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) weekly benefit, your effective wage-replacement rate, and whether you hit the state maximum.

✓ Free ✓ Runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded ✓ Uses 2026 WA PFML figures ✓ Weekly wage or annual salary

1 Your wage & leave

Based on the Washington ESD formula for the 2026 benefit year, using the statewide average weekly wage (SAWW). Your actual benefit is set by the Employment Security Department using your highest-earning quarter, not a single wage figure.

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Not legal or benefits advice. This is an unofficial estimate for planning purposes only. The Employment Security Department's own calculator and your approved claim are authoritative — see paidleave.wa.gov.

How we calculated this

Every figure below is Washington's official 2026 benefit-year number. Data verified July 2026.

  • Weekly benefit formula. If your average weekly wage (AWW) is at or below half the state average weekly wage (<= $915), your benefit is 90% of your AWW. Above $915, your benefit is 90% of $915 plus 50% of the amount over $915. Source: RCW 50A.15.020(5).
  • 2026 state average weekly wage (SAWW): $1,830. Set annually by the Employment Security Department from the prior year's statewide average annual wage ($95,160 in 2024). Source: ESD news release, June 2025.
  • 50% threshold: $915 (half of the 2026 SAWW) - the point where the formula switches from a flat 90% to the two-part calculation above. Source: RCW 50A.15.020(5), same as above.
  • 2026 maximum weekly benefit: $1,647. Applies to new claims filed on or after Jan. 1, 2026, no matter how high your AWW is. Source: paidleave.wa.gov.
  • 2026 minimum weekly benefit: $100. The floor for an approved, eligible claim. Source: ESD news release, June 2025. This calculator shows your raw formula result and does not apply the $100 floor.
  • 820-hour eligibility rule. You generally need at least 820 hours worked in Washington during your qualifying period (about the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters), across one or more employers. Source: paidleave.wa.gov.
  • Leave duration. Up to 12 weeks of medical leave OR 12 weeks of family leave per claim year; up to 16 weeks combined if you have more than one qualifying event in the same year; up to 18 weeks combined (or 14 weeks of medical leave alone) if you experience a serious health condition related to pregnancy that results in incapacity. Source: RCW 50A.15.020(3).
  • Waiting week. Most claims start with one unpaid waiting week. It is waived for leave taken in the postnatal period (the first 6 weeks after birth), for bonding leave, and for military exigency leave - which is why "Bonding only" and the birth-parent combined option show no waiting week here. Source: paidleave.wa.gov and paidleave.wa.gov/apply-now.
  • Deadlines. Notify your employer in writing at least 30 days before foreseeable leave; apply to ESD within 30 days of your leave starting to avoid needing a good-cause reason to backdate your claim. Source: paidleave.wa.gov/apply-now.
  • Adding a baby to your health plan is set by your employer's insurance carrier, not by Paid Leave - plans commonly require enrollment within 30 to 60 days of birth or placement. Check your plan documents or HR for your exact deadline.
  • Employer top-up (optional). If you pick an employer, we layer their publicly reported parental-leave policy on top of the state benefit, up to 100% of your average weekly wage, for the weeks that employer covers. This is a planning estimate only - real employer plans vary by role, tenure, and location; confirm with HR. Employer sources: Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks. Verified July 2026.
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How the WA PFML weekly benefit is calculated

Washington's Paid Family & Medical Leave program replaces part of your wages while you're on approved leave. For 2026, the state's average weekly wage (SAWW) is $1,830. Wondering how much you'll get? This WA PFML calculator applies the state's exact formula so you can estimate your check before you file. The benefit formula is progressive — lower earners get a higher replacement rate:

The formula. If your average weekly wage (AWW) is at or below 50% of the SAWW ($915), your weekly benefit is 90% of your AWW. If your AWW is above $915, your benefit is 90% of $915 plus 50% of the amount over $915. Either way, the benefit is capped at $1,647/week for 2026.

How long does the benefit last?

Most claims run up to 12 weeks in a year. Some medical situations (like a serious health condition combined with a qualifying family reason, or pregnancy-related complications) can stretch combined family-and-medical leave up to 16–18 weeks. Check your specific situation on the official site.

Source: Washington Employment Security Department, 2026.

Washington PFML FAQ (2026)

How much does Washington PFML pay in 2026?

Your weekly benefit is 90% of your average weekly wage (AWW) if it's at or below $915 — half of the 2026 state average weekly wage. Above that, you get 90% of $915 plus 50% of the amount over $915. Either way, the maximum is $1,647 per week in 2026.

Who is eligible for WA Paid Leave?

Generally, you need at least 820 hours worked in Washington during the qualifying period (roughly the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters), across one or more employers. See paidleave.wa.gov for the exact rules.

Is the WA PFML benefit taxable?

The IRS has said WA PFML benefits attributable to the family-leave portion are generally taxable; the medical-leave portion's treatment can vary. Check current IRS guidance or a tax professional for your specific case.

Why is my real benefit different from this estimate?

ESD calculates your AWW from your actual highest-earning quarter in the qualifying period, not from a single current wage. Bonuses, multiple employers, and part-year work can all change the result.

How much will I get in total over my WA Paid Leave?

Multiply your estimated weekly benefit by the number of weeks you will be paid. Most medical-only claims start with one unpaid waiting week, so your total covers one fewer week; bonding leave and birth-parent postnatal leave have no waiting week. Enter your wage and leave details above to see a week-by-week breakdown and a running total.

What are the key deadlines for WA Paid Leave?

Notify your employer in writing at least 30 days before foreseeable leave. Apply with the Employment Security Department within 30 days of your leave starting to avoid needing a good-cause reason to backdate your claim. If you are adding a new child to an employer health plan, check your plan documents - many require enrollment within 30 to 60 days of the birth or placement.