Compare two job offers side by side including salary, bonuses, benefits, 401k match, PTO value, and commute costs to find your best total compensation.
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Offer 1
Offer 2
A mid-level software engineer in Austin, TX is comparing a $130,000 W-2 offer against their current $115,000 role. The new offer includes a $10,000 signing bonus and 0.1% equity in a Series B company.
Takeaway: Texas has no state income tax, which inflates take-home vs. the same offer in California (~9.3% marginal) or New York (~6.85%). Run the comparison with your state's rate above.
Take-home calculators estimate withholding based on single/married status and claimed allowances. If you have side income, multiple jobs, or itemized deductions, your actual withholding will differ. The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator is the most accurate tool for W-4 calibration.
Nine states have no income tax (TX, FL, WA, NV, AK, SD, WY, TN, NH). California tops out at 13.3% marginal. State tax can shift your net paycheck by $200-$1,000/month on a $100K salary. Always select your state before reading take-home results.
Cost of Living Salary AdjustmentEmployer-paid health insurance, 401(k) match, HSA contributions, and paid leave have real dollar value — typically $8,000-$25,000/year for a mid-career employee. Comparing two offers on base salary alone ignores a major component of total compensation.
Benefits Value CalculatorW-2 employees pay 7.65% FICA (SS + Medicare); employers match it invisibly. 1099 contractors pay the full 15.3% self-employment tax. A $100K 1099 contract has roughly $7,650 more tax friction than a $100K W-2 salary before any other adjustments.
1099 vs W-2 Tax ComparisonBonuses are withheld at a flat 22% federal supplemental rate (or 37% over $1M) — not your effective rate. Your actual tax on the bonus is determined at year-end filing. If your marginal rate is below 22%, you'll get a refund; above, you may owe.
Bonus Tax CalculatorBased on your inputs
total compensation difference
| Offer 1 Base Salary | $85,000 |
|---|---|
| Offer 1 Total Comp | $101,504 |
| Offer 2 Base Salary | $95,000 |
| Offer 2 Total Comp | $109,308 |
| Difference | -$7,804 |
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Consider base salary, bonus, equity/stock, health insurance, 401k match, PTO, commute costs, remote work savings, and career growth potential.
For public companies, use current market value × shares. For startups, it's speculative — apply a discount (e.g., 20-30% of stated value) based on risk.
Not necessarily. A $90k job with great benefits, 401k match, and no commute can beat a $100k job with minimal perks and a long daily commute.
A 50% match up to 6% of a $100k salary is worth $3,000/year. Never leave matching contributions on the table — it's free money.
Adjust salaries using a cost-of-living index. A $90,000 offer in Austin may have more purchasing power than $110,000 in San Francisco after accounting for housing, taxes, and daily expenses.
Yes. A 30-mile daily commute can cost $4,000 to $8,000 per year in gas, tolls, parking, and vehicle wear. Remote or hybrid roles eliminate much of this hidden expense.
Compare monthly premiums, deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums. A plan with $200 lower monthly premiums but a $3,000 higher deductible may cost more if you use healthcare frequently.
Calculate PTO value by dividing your annual salary by 260 working days. Each extra PTO day on a $75,000 salary is worth roughly $288, so 5 extra days equals about $1,440 in value.
Divide the signing bonus by the number of years you plan to stay. A $10,000 bonus spread over 2 years adds $5,000 per year to total compensation, but loses value if you stay longer.
Total compensation includes base salary, bonuses, equity, benefits, and perks. Two offers with identical base pay can differ by $20,000 or more in total comp when all components are included.
Total Comp = Salary + Bonus + 401k Match + Health Benefits + PTO Value − Commute Costs
PTO Value = Days × (Salary ÷ 260 working days)
Every formula on this page traces to a federal agency, central bank, or peer-reviewed institution. We cite the rule-makers, not secondhand blogs.
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Calculations are for educational purposes only. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personalized advice.