Total Compensation Calculator
Compare two job offers with salary, bonus, equity, 401(k), benefits, PTO, and commute in one year-one total.
Offer A
Offer B
Offer A total
$151,940
Offer B total
$157,640
Difference (A − B)
-$5,700
Comparison by category
| Category | Offer A | Offer B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $120,000 | $115,000 | $5,000 |
| Annual bonus (target) | $12,000 | $13,800 | -$1,800 |
| Signing bonus (year 1) | $0 | $5,000 | -$5,000 |
| Equity (year 1 vest) | $12,500 | $10,000 | $2,500 |
| Equity (4-year grant value) | $50,000 | $40,000 | $10,000 |
| 401(k) employer match | $4,800 | $4,600 | $200 |
| Benefits (employee cost) | -$2,160 | -$2,160 | $0 |
| Commute cost | -$2,400 | -$3,000 | $600 |
| PTO value | $7,200 | $9,200 | -$2,000 |
| Remote work savings | $0 | $5,200 | -$5,200 |
| Total compensation (incl. PTO & signing) | $151,940 | $157,640 | -$5,700 |
Equity value uses the share price you enter and can change a lot. This is not financial or tax advice.
How this tool works
Base salary is the number most candidates compare, but it rarely tells the full story. A lower base offer may come with a larger equity grant, a better 401k match, or more generous health benefits that close or reverse the gap. This calculator makes both offers comparable by converting every component to an annual dollar value: bonus target, first-year equity vest, employer 401k match, the cost of benefits you pay out of pocket, PTO value based on daily rate, and the savings from remote work days that reduce commuting costs. The side-by-side output shows where each offer wins and loses.
Worked example
Offer A: $120,000 base, 10% bonus target, 1,000 RSUs at $50/share (4yr/1yr cliff), 4% 401k match up to 6%, $150/month health, $30/month dental/vision, 15 PTO days, 0 remote days, $200/month commute. Offer B: $110,000 base, 15% bonus target, 2,000 RSUs at $50/share (4yr/1yr cliff), 3% 401k match up to 5%, $80/month health, $20/month dental/vision, 20 PTO days, 4 remote days, $200/month commute. Offer A: $151,940 total. Offer B: $168,320 total. Offer B is worth approximately $16,380 more per year despite a lower base salary.
Frequently asked questions
What is total compensation?
Total compensation is the complete value of what an employer pays you, including base salary, annual bonus, equity (RSUs or options), employer retirement contributions (401k match), employer-paid benefits, paid time off, and any other perks with monetary value. Comparing base salary alone can be misleading when offers differ significantly in equity, benefits, or remote work policy.
How do I value RSUs in a private company?
For private company RSUs, use the most recent 409A valuation price per share (your offer letter or HR should provide this). Understand that private company shares have no liquidity until an IPO, acquisition, or secondary market transaction. The value shown is an estimate based on current valuation, not a guaranteed outcome.
Should I value PTO in my comparison?
Yes. Ten additional PTO days at a $120,000 salary is worth approximately $4,800 (10 / 250 working days x $120,000). Many candidates ignore PTO value, but a difference of even 5 days is worth over $2,000 per year at median salary levels.
How does the 401k match calculation work?
A '4% match up to 6% of salary' means the company matches 4 cents for every dollar you contribute, but only on up to 6% of your salary. On a $120,000 salary, the maximum match is $120,000 x 4% = $4,800, not $120,000 x 6%. The match rate (4%) applies, capped at the ceiling (6% of salary).
Does equity value change if the stock price moves?
Yes. The equity value shown uses the current share price you enter. If the stock falls 50% before your shares vest, the actual value will be half what the calculator shows. The tool displays a note that equity value is based on current price and may change significantly.
What is the remote work savings calculation based on?
Remote savings = remote days per week x 52 x (monthly commute cost / 5). If you commute 4 days out of 5 instead of all 5, you save 80% of your commute cost annually. This is a real economic benefit that most candidates overlook when comparing offers with different remote work policies.
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