While there is no federal law requiring employers to provide paid sick leave, it is important to be aware of which states mandate employers to provide paid sick leave. As of 2025, there are several states plus Washington D.C. which have enacted their own state wide paid sick leave laws.
This article explores all the laws about paid sick leave laws by state in 2025. The U.S.’s complex sick leave landscape for 2025 is outlined in this article, whether you’re an employee or an employer.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- State and Local Paid Sick Leave Laws
- Eligibility for Paid Sick Leave
- Paid Sick Leave Law By Industry
- Paid-Sick-Leave Laws By State [2025]
- Paid-Sick-Leave FAQ
- Transform your Time Off Management System with Factorial ✅
Paid Sick Leave Laws by State 2025
Reviewing paid sick leave law by state can be a little complicated because laws are widely. Generally, employees earn one hour of paid time off for each 30-50 hours workers. Accrual caps vary by state, but accrual is usually capped at around 40 hours, or five 8-hour days of paid time off. Many states allow employees to begin accruing hours as soon as they start working, but employees may not be able to use these hours until they have worked a certain amount of time.
For example, paid sick leave law California says employees can begin to use accrued hours after 90 days of employment. In some states, accrual may roll over from year to the next.
Depending on the state, employees may be able to use paid sick leave to care for sick family members or to take care of domestic disputes. Meanwhile, others may only allow the time off for personal illness or for specific family members. Like FLMA, some state paid sick leave laws may only apply to businesses of a particular size.
Many cities also have their own paid sick leave laws, which is why it’s best to consult your employment lawyer to find out the correct regulations.
Eligibility for Paid Sick Leave Laws by State in 2025
Depending on state and local legislation, workers may not be covered by paid sick leave laws for any number of reasons. For example, independent contractors, work-study students, real estate agents, and agricultural workers may not be eligible for paid leave benefits in certain states. Employees and employers should check local and state guidelines as each state has their own requirements.
In order to receive paid sick leave according to paid sick leave law in California:
- Employees must work 30 days within a year for the same employer and satisfy the 90-day employment period.
Other states may have similar obligations that employees must meet before they can take advantage of paid sick leave benefits. Employees should check their eligibility for paid sick leave.
Paid Sick Leave Law By Industry 2025
Employers may provide employees with paid sick leave plans more generous than those required by state or local law. In certain industries, employers use leave plans to attract talented workers and keep their workplace healthy. Unfortunately, this coverage is usually limited to higher wage-earners. A survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows while 92% of top earners have access to sick leave, among the lowest earners, only 31% have sick leave.
Sick leave is more common in the public sector than in private business, although it varies widely by profession. Teachers (96%), business workers (94%), and nurses (90%) are among the most likely to have paid sick leave. Production (68%), sales (64%) and agricultural workers (59%) are among the least likely. Access to sick leave also varied based on the size of the business, as well as its geographical location.
On average, private sector workers receive 7 days of sick leave per year. Meanwhile, just about a quarter of American workers receive less than 5 days a year. While industry currently plays an important role in determining access to paid sick leave, legislation may shore up the gap between industries.
Paid-Sick-Leave Laws By State in 2025
Alabama
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Alaska
Effective July 1, 2025.
All employees with the exception of apprentices, prison inmates, and others among narrow exceptions are entitled to one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. There is a cap depending which is determined by the employer as well as accrual rates, limits, and usage limits.
Arizona
All employers in Arizona have to provide paid sick leave, except casual babysitters and employees of the state or federal government, or parents and siblings.
Arkansas
State law does not regulate sick leave.
California
A Californian who works 30 hours a year is entitled to one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. They can take 24 hours or three days a year. As of 2025, California paid sick leave law expanded to allow employees to use sick leave if a family member is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
In addition, California also has municipal sick leave laws in the following localities:
- Berkley
- Emeryville
- Los Angeles
- Oakland
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- Santa Monica
- West Hollywood
Colorado
All employees are entitled to up to 48 hours of paid sick leave per year, with the option to carry over up to 48 hours to the following year. Sick leave accrues at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked.
Connecticut
There are some exceptions in Connecticut, but employers with more than 25 employees have to offer paid sick leave. Connecticut follows the standard accrual rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked and an additional usage limitation of a 40 hours per year.
Delaware
Delaware’s paid leave is still rolling out, with plans to be finalized by 2026. However, Delaware plans on mandating most employers with 10 or more employees to provide up to 40 hours of paid sick leave. Given the eligible employee fulfills the criteria.
Florida
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Georgia
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Hawaii
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Idaho
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Illinois
All employers excluding those in Chicago, Cook County, and specific excluded cases are required to provide paid sick leave to their employees. The accural rate in Illinois is 1 hour for every 40 hours worked.
Chicago businesses must give their employees paid sick leave.
Employers in Cook County have to give their employees paid sick leave, but there are exceptions for federal, state and local government employees and construction workers with collective bargaining agreements. There might be some municipalities out of the mandate in Cook County.
Indiana
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Iowa
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Kansas
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Kentucky
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Louisiana
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Maine
If you have at least 10 employees in Maine, you have to offer paid time off you can use for any reason, including emergencies, illnesses, and vacations.
Maryland
A Maryland employer with 15 employees or more is required to offer paid sick leave. In addition, to be eligible Maryland employees must at least work 12 hours per week.
Also mandates employers paid sick leave starting at 5 employees.
Massachusetts
It’s mandatory for most employers in Massachusetts to provide paid sick leave. Federal employees, Massachusetts cities and towns, and some educational institutions don’t have to provide it.
Michigan
In Michigan, all employers have to offer p. sick leave, however, Michigan uses a two tier system to differentiate the cap limit. For employers with 1-10 employees, the cap is 40 hours per year and employers with 11+ employees, the cap is 72 hours per year.
Minnesota
Any business or person with one or more employees can accrue up to 48 hours of ESSL annually starting Jan. 1, 2024. Part-timers and temp workers get one hour of ESSL for every 30 hours worked.
All employee (excluding government employees) who work 80+ hours per year are granted paid sick leave by their employers.
Mississippi
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Missouri
Effective May 1, 2025
Certain eligible employees working for private companies are granted paid sick leave in Missouri. The limitation depends on the employer; however, employees will be provided with either 56 or 40 hours per year.
Montana
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Nebraska
Effective October 1, 2025
All non-government employees will be provided with 56 or 40 hours of paid sick leave per year. Nebraska employees can accure 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.
Nevada
The majority of private employers in Nevada must provide paid leave accruals at the rate of 0.01923 hour for each hour of work performed. Leave can be used for any reason, including vacations.
New Hampshire
State law does not regulate sick leave.
New Jersey
Workers in New Jersey are usually guaranteed paid sick leave, but there are exceptions for construction workers covered by a collective bargaining agreement and per-diem health care workers.
In addition, New Jersey employers must follow their municipal sick leave laws in the following counties:
- Bloomfield
- East Orange
- Irvington
- Jersey City
- Montclair
- Newark
- Passaic
- Paterson
- Plainfield
- Trenton
New Mexico
New Mexico employees will get up to 64 hours of leave a year starting July 1, 2022.
New York
If you have five or more employees or a net income over $1 million, you have to give sick leave to employees in New York. If you have four or fewer employees, you have to give sick leave without pay.
Additionally, employers in NYC provide their employees with paid sick leave with a cap for 40/56 hours per year.
North Carolina
State law does not regulate sick leave.
North Dakota
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Ohio
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Oklahoma
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Oregon
In Oregon, employers with 10 or more employees must provide 40 hours of paid sick leave to their workers. Moreover, employers with six or less employees must provide unpaid sick leave.
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia employers with at least ten employees have to provide p. sick leave. Smaller companies have to provide unpaid leave.
A paid-sick-leave ordinance took effect in Allegheny County on Dec. 15, 2021. However, fines might not be imposed until one year after the effective date, i.e., Dec. 15, 2022.
Pittsburgh requires private employers to provide sick leave to their workers. Accruals are capped at different rates depending on the size of the company.
Rhode Island
Workers in Rhode Island have the right to p. sick leave from employers with 18 or more employees. Smaller businesses don’t have the right.
South Carolina
State law does not regulate sick leave.
South Dakota
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Tennessee
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Texas
The Local Laws are Blocked by Courts Here.
Utah
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Vermont
In Vermont, employees who work an average of 18 hours or more a week or more over the course of the year are entitled to paid sick leave.
Virginia
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Washington
For every 40 hours worked, Washington employees get one hour of paid sick leave with no annual cap.
Washington, D.C.
Employers in Washington, D.C., are required to offer paid sick leave, although there are some exceptions for federal employees. Accruals vary depending on the size of the employer.
West Virginia
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Wisconsin
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Wyoming
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Paid-Sick-Leave FAQ
What is the sick leave?
A sick leave is the time off that an employee is legally entitled to when he or she is absent from work due to an illness that is suffering from.
How many sick days leave?
Are sick days and PTO the same?
