Offer 1
Offer 2
Your Results
Enter two offers to compare total compensation.
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What This Calculator Does
This job offer comparison calculator helps you evaluate two job offers side by side across all compensation components: base salary, annual bonus, equity/RSU grants, health insurance value, 401(k) match, commute costs, and state income tax impact. It calculates total compensation, estimated taxes, and net value for each offer to determine which one delivers more take-home value, not just a higher headline salary.
The Formula
Total compensation includes all monetary and benefit components: cash (salary + bonus), equity (annualized RSU/option value), benefits (employer health insurance contribution), and retirement (401(k) match). Net value deducts estimated federal and state income taxes on cash compensation and annual commute costs. This provides a more accurate comparison than base salary alone, especially when offers differ significantly in non-salary components like equity, benefits, or tax jurisdiction.
Step-by-Step Example
Enter Offer A
Base: $95K. Bonus: $10K. Equity: $15K/yr. Health: $8K. 401(k): $4,750. State tax: 5%. Commute: $3K/yr.
Enter Offer B
Base: $105K. Bonus: $5K. No equity. Health: $6K. 401(k): $5,250. State tax: 0% (TX). Remote (no commute).
Compare total comp
Offer A total: $132,750. Offer B total: $121,250. Offer A is $11,500 higher in total comp.
Compare net value
After taxes and commute: Offer A net: $100,875. Offer B net: $98,010. Offer A wins by $2,865 despite lower base.
Real-World Use Cases
Job Offer Negotiation
Understand the true value gap between offers to negotiate effectively. A $10K base salary difference may be offset by better equity, benefits, or lower state taxes.
Relocation Decisions
Compare offers in different states or cities where cost of living, state income tax, and commute costs vary significantly.
Career Planning
Evaluate whether a startup offer with lower base but equity is worth more than a corporate offer with higher base but no equity upside.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Comparing only base salary. An offer with $10K lower base but $20K in equity and better benefits may be worth significantly more. Always compare total compensation.
Ignoring state income tax differences. Moving from California (13.3% top rate) to Texas (0%) or Florida (0%) on a $120K salary saves $8,000-$12,000/year in state taxes alone.
Valuing equity at face value without considering vesting schedule, strike price, and liquidity risk. Startup equity may never be worth anything. Public company RSUs are more reliable.
Forgetting to account for commute costs. A 45-minute commute at $15/day costs $3,750/year plus 375+ hours of unpaid time. Remote work eliminates both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Accuracy and Disclaimer
Tax estimates use simplified effective rates and do not account for deductions, credits, filing status details, or local taxes. Equity valuations are estimates and subject to market risk. This calculator is for comparison purposes only and does not constitute financial or tax advice. Consult a financial advisor or CPA for personalized analysis.
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