Job Offer Comparison Calculator
Example: Offer A — base salary: 120000 $ · Offer A — annual bonus: 15000 $ · Offer A — annual equity value: 20000 $ · Offer A — perks (401k match, etc.): 8000 $ · Offer B — base salary: 135000 $ · Offer B — annual bonus: 8000 $ · Offer B — annual equity value: 5000 $ · Offer B — perks (401k match, etc.): 4000 $
| Offer A total compensation | $163,000 |
| Offer B total compensation | $152,000 |
| Offer B minus Offer A | $-11,000 |
Worked example
Offer A has a $120,000 base plus a $15,000 bonus, $20,000 in annual equity, and $8,000 of perks, totaling $163,000. Offer B leads on base at $135,000 but only adds $8,000 bonus, $5,000 equity, and $4,000 perks, totaling $152,000. Despite the $15,000 higher base, Offer B is worth $11,000 less per year in total compensation — the exact trap this calculator is built to catch.
Frequently asked questions
How do I value annual equity?
Divide the total grant by the vesting period to get the annual figure. A $80,000 grant vesting over four years is $20,000 a year. For private-company equity, be conservative — it may be illiquid or worth far less than the paper value, so some people discount it heavily or enter zero.
What perks should I include as dollars?
Anything with a clear cash value: the employer 401(k) match, employer-paid health premiums, HSA contributions, tuition reimbursement, or a commuter stipend. A generous 401(k) match alone can be worth thousands a year and is real money you would otherwise pay for.
Does this factor in cost of living between two cities?
No. If the offers are in different cities, first run our cost-of-living salary calculator to convert one offer into the other city's equivalent, then compare the adjusted numbers here. A higher total comp in an expensive city can be the weaker offer in real terms.
Should I compare on total comp or take-home pay?
Total comp is the right first screen because it captures the full value. But if the two offers are close, follow up by running each base through our take-home pay estimate, especially when the states or benefit structures differ, since after-tax dollars are what you actually spend.