What this calculator compares
A job offer is a package of money, time, benefits, risk, and flexibility. This calculator turns the measurable parts into comparable numbers so you can see where the real trade-off is.
Base salary, expected bonus, signing bonus, equity value, retirement match, health insurance difference, and other benefits.
Weekly hours, PTO, holidays, commute days, commute minutes, and whether the job consumes more of your week than the salary suggests.
Total value, ongoing value, commute-adjusted hourly pay, PTO comparison, better financial offer, and negotiation levers.
How the calculator works
| Metric | What it means |
|---|---|
| Total annual compensation | Base salary plus expected bonus, equity, retirement match, health insurance difference, and other benefits. |
| First-year value | Total annual value plus signing bonus, minus commute cash cost. |
| Ongoing annual value | Repeatable annual value excluding signing bonus, minus commute cash cost. |
| True hourly pay | Ongoing value divided by active work hours after PTO and holidays. |
| Commute-adjusted hourly pay | Ongoing value divided by active work hours plus commute hours. |
| Decision-adjusted value | Ongoing value plus a PTO comparison value, minus a commute-time value. This is a decision signal, not paycheck cash. |
Common job offer comparison mistakes
- Comparing base salary but ignoring a long commute.
- Counting a target bonus or equity grant at full value when it is uncertain.
- Ignoring PTO and paid holidays when one offer gives more paid time away from work.
- Comparing a 40-hour role with a 55-hour role as if they require the same time.
- Adding benefits you will not actually use.
- Choosing the better spreadsheet result while ignoring manager quality, job security, health, family logistics, or career growth.
Related job offer calculators
Use these tools when you need a narrower calculation.
FAQ
Which job offer should I accept?
The calculator can show which offer has higher total value, true hourly value, and lower commute drag. The final decision should also include career growth, manager quality, stability, stress, schedule fit, location, family needs, and long-term goals.
Should I include signing bonus?
Include signing bonus in first-year value, but separate it from ongoing annual value. A one-time sign-on bonus can make year one look better without changing the long-term offer.
How do I compare remote and office offers?
Use commute days, one-way commute minutes, and commute cost per day. A remote or hybrid job usually has lower commute cash cost and fewer commute hours, which can improve hourly value even with a lower salary.
Can this calculator replace a tax calculator?
No. This calculator compares gross offer value. Use a paycheck or tax calculator separately when net take-home pay, filing status, state tax, deductions, or contractor classification matter.