State paid family leave guide (2026)
All 15 PFL states + DC compared. Weeks, replacement %, caps, and the gotchas.
Pregnancy · Pay
TL;DR
Fifteen US states plus DC have state-mandated paid family leave as of 2026. Weeks range from 6 (Rhode Island) to 18 (Washington with complications). Replacement rates range from 60% to 95%, with weekly caps from $900 to $1,620. The remaining 35 states have no paid leave benefit — you rely on employer short-term disability and unpaid FMLA only.
The US is unusual among developed countries for having no federal paid maternity leave. In the absence of federal law, state programs filled in — but only in 15 states plus DC. Whether you live in one of those states is the single biggest factor in your maternity leave finances.
The 15 PFL states + DC at a glance
Each state's program differs in weeks, percentage, weekly cap, and eligibility. Here's the comparison.
The big four (longest history, highest caps)
- California — 8 weeks PFL at ~70% wages, capped at $1,620/week. Stacks with 4 weeks of state SDI for birth recovery first.
- New York — 12 weeks PFL at 67% wages, capped at $1,151/week. Bonding only (no SDI for recovery).
- New Jersey — 12 weeks at 85% wages, $1,055/week cap. Stacks with 4 weeks state TDI.
- Washington — 12–18 weeks (complications) at ~90% wages, $1,456/week cap.
The middle tier
- Massachusetts — 12 weeks at 60–80% sliding scale, $1,170/week cap. Up to 20 weeks combined for serious medical leave.
- Connecticut — 12 weeks at 60–95% sliding scale, $941/week cap.
- Oregon — 12 weeks at 65–100% sliding scale (lower wages = 100%), $1,569/week cap.
- Colorado — 12 weeks at 70%, $1,100/week cap. FAMLI started 2024.
- Rhode Island — 7 weeks at 60%, $1,070/week cap. Short but stacks with TDI.
- DC — 12 weeks at 90% (highest in country), $1,118/week cap.
Newer programs (2026 rollouts)
- Delaware — 12 weeks at 80%, $900 cap. Started 2026.
- Maryland — 12 weeks at 80%, $1,000 cap. FAMLI started 2026.
- Maine — 12 weeks at 80%, $1,100 cap.
- Minnesota — 12 weeks at 85%, $1,190 cap.
- New Mexico — 12 weeks at 70%, $1,000 cap.
What "replacement %" actually means
Most states use a sliding scale. Lower-wage workers get a higher percentage of their wages replaced; higher-wage workers get a lower percentage but their absolute payment is capped at the state weekly maximum.
Quick math example for Washington (90% / 50% over a threshold):
- $40,000/year worker: ~$770/week wages × 90% = $693/week PFL.
- $80,000/year worker: ~$1,540/week wages → cap kicks in → $1,456/week PFL (the max).
- $200,000/year worker: still $1,456/week. The cap binds for high earners.
For most middle-income earners ($60–100k), the cap binds. You'll get a substantial weekly check — but not your full salary.
Calculate your exact pay in 30 seconds
Our Maternity Leave Pay Calculator handles all 15 PFL states, federal FMLA, and employer STD. See what you'll actually be paid week by week.
Run the calculator →The 35 states without paid family leave
Texas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Indiana, and 30 others. If you live here:
- Federal FMLA applies (12 weeks unpaid, job-protected, IF you qualify — 50+ employee employer, 12 months tenure, 1,250 hours).
- Employer-provided short-term disability insurance is your main paid option (typically 60–66.67% wages, 6 weeks vaginal, 8 weeks C-section).
- Some employers offer paid parental leave on top — varies wildly. Tech and finance often have 12+ paid weeks; retail and service often have nothing.
- Vacation/PTO cash-out and savings bridge the rest.
This is why the maternity-leave finance experience varies so dramatically across the US. Two parents earning $80k/year can have a $20,000 difference in leave pay based purely on state.
Sequential SDI + PFL (the stacking trick)
California, New Jersey, and Rhode Island let you combine state disability insurance (SDI/TDI) with state PFL. The way it works:
- Birth recovery period (4 weeks vaginal, 6 weeks C-section): claim SDI/TDI for "disability" related to pregnancy and birth.
- Bonding period (after recovery): claim PFL for "bonding" with the new baby.
- Total leave: SDI weeks + PFL weeks combined (so up to 18 weeks paid in California).
If you're in one of these three states, file BOTH benefits — many parents only file PFL and miss out on the SDI portion. The math difference is real (4–8 extra paid weeks).
How to apply
Before due date
- Talk to HR ~3 months out. Get the right paperwork — for FMLA, for STD insurance, and for state PFL if applicable.
- Confirm STD insurance with HR (about half of US workers have it; many don't realize they do).
- Check your state's PFL website. CA: EDD. NY: Paid Family Leave site. NJ: NJ Family Leave Insurance.
After birth
- STD: file disability claim immediately. Doctor's office submits the medical certification.
- State PFL: file within 30 days of birth (some states allow 60). Don't wait — benefits start when you file, not when leave begins.
- Employer paperwork: the FMLA leave certification and any employer paid parental leave forms.
One last thing
State PFL programs change every year. New states are adding programs (Vermont, Illinois are in active legislation as of 2026). Existing programs adjust caps and percentages annually. The numbers above reflect 2026 published rates — re-check your state's official site before relying on them for budgeting.
Reflects 2026 published state PFL rates as of May 2026. Confirm with your HR department and your state's PFL agency before relying on these numbers. Not legal or tax advice.