A job offer comparison calculator helps you look beyond base salary to understand the true value of each compensation package. By factoring in bonuses, 401k matching, stock options, health insurance costs, PTO value, and commute expenses, you can make a data-driven decision about which offer is actually worth more. This tool compares two offers side by side so you can see exactly where each one wins.
Enter Your Job Offers
A Offer A
B Offer B
How to Use This Job Offer Comparison Calculator
Choosing between two job offers is one of the most important financial decisions you can make, and base salary alone rarely tells the full story. A job offer comparison calculator helps you evaluate the true total compensation of each offer by factoring in bonuses, benefits, equity, and costs. Instead of guessing which offer is better, you can see the exact dollar difference and know which categories each offer wins.
Step 1: Enter Basic Compensation
Start by entering the job title and base salary for each offer. If either offer includes a signing bonus, enter that as well. The signing bonus is included in the first-year total compensation calculation, which is useful for short-term comparison. The annual bonus percentage is applied to the base salary to calculate the expected bonus amount.
Step 2: Add Benefits and Equity
Enter the 401k employer match percentage for each offer. This is calculated against the base salary and represents free money added to your retirement savings. If either offer includes stock options or RSU grants, enter the annual vesting value. These equity components can make up a significant portion of total compensation, especially at technology companies.
Step 3: Account for Costs
Health insurance premiums and commute costs reduce your take-home compensation. Enter your monthly out-of-pocket health insurance cost for each offer, as employer plans vary widely in what the employee pays. For commute costs, enter your total monthly transportation expense. If you work remotely some days, enter that number and the calculator will reduce commute costs proportionally.
Step 4: Compare PTO Value
Paid time off has real monetary value even though it does not appear on your paycheck. The calculator determines PTO value by dividing your annual salary by 260 working days and multiplying by the number of PTO days. An offer with 25 PTO days at a $100,000 salary provides about $9,615 in time-off value, compared to $5,769 for 15 days. This difference is shown separately so you can factor it into your decision.
Step 5: Review the Comparison
Click "Compare Offers" to see the results. The calculator shows a winner banner with the total compensation difference, side-by-side summary cards, and a detailed category-by-category breakdown. Each row in the breakdown shows which offer wins that specific category, helping you understand not just which offer pays more overall but exactly where the differences come from. All calculations run in your browser, so your compensation data is completely private.
FAQ
Is this job offer comparison calculator free?
Yes, this job offer comparison calculator is completely free with no hidden fees, no signup, and no limits. All calculations run locally in your browser, so you can compare as many offers as you like. Your compensation data stays private on your device.
Is my salary and compensation data private?
Absolutely. All calculations run entirely in your web browser using client-side JavaScript. No salary figures, benefits details, or personal financial information is ever sent to any server or stored anywhere. Your compensation data remains completely private.
How does the calculator determine total compensation?
Total compensation is calculated by adding base salary, annual bonus, signing bonus (amortized over one year), 401k employer match value, and stock/RSU value, then subtracting annual health insurance premiums and commute costs. PTO value is also calculated to show the monetary worth of your time off.
How is PTO value calculated?
PTO value is calculated by dividing the annual salary by 260 (standard working days per year) to get the daily rate, then multiplying by the number of PTO days. This represents the monetary value of your paid time off, which is real compensation even though it is not cash in your paycheck.
Should I include the signing bonus in my comparison?
Yes, but keep in mind the signing bonus is a one-time payment. This calculator includes it in the first-year total compensation comparison. If you are evaluating offers for long-term value, focus on the recurring compensation components like base salary, annual bonus, and stock grants.
How does 401k match affect total compensation?
The 401k employer match is calculated as a percentage of your base salary. For example, a 4% match on a $100,000 salary adds $4,000 to your total compensation. This is essentially free money from your employer and should be a significant factor in comparing offers.
What costs does the calculator subtract from total compensation?
The calculator subtracts two recurring costs: your monthly health insurance premium (multiplied by 12 for annual cost) and your monthly commute cost (also multiplied by 12). Remote days reduce commute costs proportionally, since you only commute on days you go to the office.
How are remote work days factored into the comparison?
Remote days per week reduce your monthly commute cost proportionally. If you commute 5 days a week and the cost is $200/month, working 3 days remote means you only spend about $80/month on commuting. This can make a significant difference in total compensation.