→For job seekers deciding between offers · anyone evaluating a salary negotiation
Job Offer Comparison Calculator
Enter the salary, bonus, PTO days, commute cost, and health premium for each offer. The calculator shows total compensation, net effective value, and which offer is worth more.
Net value = total comp minus commute and health costs. PTO value uses base salary ÷ 260 working days. Figures are pre-tax estimates.
Results are pre-tax estimates for general guidance only — not financial, legal, or tax advice. See disclaimer.
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How to compare two job offers
Comparing job offers on salary alone is one of the most common financial mistakes job seekers make. A complete comparison looks at total compensation, recurring costs that vary between roles, and the value of non-salary benefits like paid time off.
Step 1 — Calculate total compensation
Start with base salary and add your target bonus. This is your total cash compensation. Do not include equity at this stage unless you have high confidence in its value.
- Total comp = Base salary + (Base × Bonus %)
Step 2 — Subtract recurring costs
Some costs are directly tied to the role and vary between offers. Annual commute cost and employee health insurance premiums are the two biggest. A fully remote role with a $5,000/year health contribution versus an in-office role with $3,000/year in commute and $2,000/year in health costs is already $5,000 different before you even look at salary.
- Net effective value = Total comp − Annual commute − Annual health premium
Step 3 — Value the PTO difference
Paid time off has monetary value because you get paid while not working. Calculate the daily pay rate (base ÷ 260 working days) and multiply by the number of extra days. Ten additional PTO days at a $80,000 salary is worth approximately $3,077 in paid time.
Step 4 — Factor in non-financial differences
Once you know which offer has the higher net cash value, you can make an informed choice about whether non-financial factors — career trajectory, management quality, team culture, flexibility, and learning opportunities — justify choosing the financially weaker offer.
Using the result to negotiate
If you prefer a lower-value offer, use the calculator output to show the gap precisely. "Offer B is $4,200 better on net cash compensation after accounting for commute and benefits. Can you close that gap?" is a much stronger negotiating position than "I got a higher offer elsewhere."
All figures are pre-tax estimates for guidance only. Actual take-home pay depends on your tax situation, state, and other deductions. Not financial or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Don't compare base salaries alone. Calculate total compensation (base + bonus), then subtract recurring costs like commute and health insurance premiums that differ between offers. The offer with the higher net effective value is the stronger financial choice, before factoring in non-financial considerations like career growth, culture, and flexibility.