Free tool
Job offer comparison calculator
A higher base salary doesn't always mean a better offer. Enter the base, bonus, equity, 401(k) match, and benefits for each offer and we'll compare the total compensation side by side.
Offer A
- Total comp
- $169,000
Offer B
- Total comp
- $154,000
Offer A is worth more
Offer A totals $169,000 a year — about $15,000 (8.9%) more than the other offer. Remember that bonus and equity are less certain than base salary.
| Component | Offer A | Offer B |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $120,000 | $130,000 |
| Annual bonus | $15,000 | $8,000 |
| Equity per year | $20,000 | $5,000 |
| 401(k) match | $6,000 | $4,000 |
| Other benefits | $8,000 | $7,000 |
| Total compensation | $169,000 | $154,000 |
Totals are gross (pre-tax) annual compensation. For take-home pay, run each base through the take-home pay calculator. Built your resume yet? Use the free AI CV builder.
Why total comp, not base salary
Base salary is only one part of an offer. Bonus, equity, the employer's 401(k) match, and benefits can add tens of thousands of dollars a year — enough to flip which offer is actually worth more. Comparing the full package is the only way to choose on the real numbers.
What to include
- Base salary — the guaranteed, recurring amount.
- Bonus — target or expected annual bonus (less certain than base).
- Equity — total grant value ÷ vesting years (treat private equity as uncertain).
- 401(k) match — the employer's annual contribution.
- Benefits — your estimate of health, perks, and other extras.
Next steps
Once you've picked the stronger offer, check what it means for your budget with the take-home pay calculator and the Can I afford it? tool. Still applying? Build a polished resume in minutes with the free AI CV builder.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare two job offers?
Compare total compensation, not just base salary. Add base pay, annual bonus, the annualized value of equity, the employer 401(k) match, and the value of other benefits for each offer — then compare the totals. A higher base can still lose to an offer with a strong bonus, equity, and match.
How do I value equity in an offer?
Annualize it: take the total grant value and divide by the vesting period (often four years). For private-company equity, treat the value as uncertain — it may be worth far more or far less than the paper figure, so weight it accordingly.
Should I compare gross or take-home pay?
This tool compares gross (pre-tax) total compensation, which is how offers are usually stated. If the offers are in states with very different income taxes, also run each base salary through a take-home pay calculator to compare net pay.
What else matters besides money?
Career growth, the team and manager, role scope, remote flexibility, job security, and how reliable each pay component is. Bonus and equity are less certain than base salary, so a smaller but more guaranteed offer can be the better choice.