Job Offer Comparison Calculator
Compare two job offers by total compensation, not just base salary. Factor in bonuses, benefits, and hidden costs to see which one actually pays more.
Offer A
Employer's contribution toward your premium
Gas, transit, parking, or relocation costs this job adds
Offer B
Employer's contribution toward your premium
Gas, transit, parking, or relocation costs this job adds
How to Compare Job Offers Properly
Base salary is only one part of total compensation. A lower salary with strong benefits can be worth more than a higher salary with none, once you account for the full picture:
Total Value = Base Salary + Bonus + Health Insurance Value + Retirement Match + PTO Value − Commute/Relocation CostPTO is converted into a dollar value using your daily rate, since paid time off is compensation you'd otherwise have to take unpaid or not at all.
Example Calculation
Offer A: $70,000 base, no bonus, $4,000 health insurance value, 3% retirement match, 10 PTO days, no commute cost.
Offer B: $75,000 base, no bonus, $0 health insurance value, 0% retirement match, 5 PTO days, $2,000 commute cost.
Offer A ≈ $70,000 + $4,000 + $2,100 (retirement) + $2,692 (PTO) = $78,792
Offer B ≈ $75,000 + $1,346 (PTO) − $2,000 = $74,346Despite the higher listed salary, Offer B is actually worth about $4,446 less per year once benefits and costs are factored in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I compare two job offers fairly?
Add up the total value of each offer, including base salary, bonus, health insurance value, retirement match, and paid time off, then subtract any added costs like commuting or relocation.
Should I only compare base salary between job offers?
No. Base salary alone can be misleading. Benefits like health insurance, retirement matching, and paid time off can add significant value, while commute and relocation costs can reduce the real value of an offer.
How is PTO value calculated?
PTO value is estimated by calculating your daily rate (annual salary divided by working days in a year) and multiplying it by the number of paid days off offered.