How should I value RSU/equity in a job offer?

RSU (Restricted Stock Units) are typically granted over 4 years with a 1-year cliff. For public companies, use the current stock price times shares. For startups, discount by 50-80% for illiquidity and risk. Always annualize: divide total grant by 4 for yearly value.

What benefits are most often overlooked when comparing job offers?

The most overlooked benefits: 401k match ($4,000-$12,000/yr), employer HSA contributions ($500-$2,000/yr), tuition reimbursement ($5,250/yr tax-free), disability insurance (1-3% of salary), and commuter benefits ($3,480/yr pre-tax). A strong package can add $15,000-$25,000/yr.

How does state tax affect my job offer comparison?

State income tax can swing a comparison by $5,000-$15,000/yr. Nine states have no income tax (TX, FL, WA, TN, NV, WY, SD, NH, AK). California tops out at 13.3%, New York at 10.9%. A $150K salary in Texas takes home roughly $10,000 more than the same salary in California.

Should I negotiate based on total comp or base salary?

Negotiate total comp, not just base. Base salary sets the floor for bonuses, 401k match, life insurance, and disability coverage. If the company won't budge on base, ask for a larger signing bonus or RSU refresh.

How accurate are cost of living calculators?

COL indices capture average metro differences but vary within a city. Housing is the biggest variable. Use COL data as a starting point, then research specific neighborhoods. This calculator uses 2025-2026 BLS CPI, C2ER, and Zillow ZORI data for 30 major metros.

Salary Comparison Calculator

Compare two job offers beyond base salary. See total compensation, benefits value, tax impact, effective hourly rate, and cost-of-living-adjusted purchasing power across 30 major US metros.

Compare two job offers side by side — base, bonus, equity, benefits

Offer A

Base salary

Bonus

Annual target bonus as % of base

RSU / equity per year

Annual vesting value (total grant / 4)

401k match

Health insurance (your cost)

$/mo

Monthly employee premium

PTO days

Vacation + sick + personal

Offer B

Base salary

Bonus

Annual target bonus as % of base

RSU / equity per year

Annual vesting value (total grant / 4)

401k match

Health insurance (your cost)

$/mo

Monthly employee premium

PTO days

Vacation + sick + personal

Your 401k contribution (Offer A)

% of salary you contribute

Your 401k contribution (Offer B)

% of salary you contribute

—

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How to Use This Calculator

Compare Offers tab

Enter both offers side by side: base salary, bonus %, RSU/equity per year, 401k match structure, health insurance cost, and PTO days. The calculator computes total compensation for each offer and shows the winner. Expand "More options" to adjust your 401k contribution percentage.

After-Tax tab

See what each offer is actually worth after federal income tax, FICA, and state tax. Select a different state for each offer — critical when comparing jobs in California vs Texas, or New York vs Florida. Uses 2026 OBBBA/TCJA permanent tax brackets.

Hidden Value tab

Quantify benefits that don’t appear on the offer letter: PTO value (salary ÷ 260 × days), employer HSA contributions, commute costs, and remote work savings. Often the “lower” offer wins once you factor in 10 extra PTO days and zero commute.

Share your result

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The Formula

Total Comp = Base Salary + Bonus + RSU/Equity + 401k Match − Health Insurance Cost

After-Tax Value = Take-Home Pay + RSU After Tax − Insurance Cost

PTO Value = (Annual Salary ÷ 260 working days) × PTO Days

Hidden Value = PTO Value + HSA Contribution + Commute Savings + Remote Savings + Insurance Savings

Benefits average 31% of total compensation in private industry (BLS ECEC 2025). This calculator breaks down the specific components so you can compare apples to apples.

The most common 401k match is 50% of employee contributions up to 6% of salary. Dollar-for-dollar matches up to 3-6% are also common. Safe harbor plans match 100% of the first 3% plus 50% of the next 2%.

Example

Natalie — comparing two software engineering offers in SF vs Austin

Natalie has two offers: a San Francisco startup (Offer A) and an Austin tech company (Offer B). She’s single, filing status single.

Compare Offers tab

Offer A base$120,000

Offer A bonus (15%)$18,000

Offer A RSU/yr$12,500

Offer A 401k match (100% up to 6%)$7,200

Offer A insurance-$2,400/yr ($200/mo)

Offer A total comp$155,300

Offer B base$110,000

Offer B bonus (20%)$22,000

Offer B RSU/yr$7,500

Offer B 401k match (50% up to 6%)$3,300

Offer B insurance$0/yr ($0/mo)

Offer B total comp$142,800

Offer A wins by $12,500 in gross total comp. But wait…

After-Tax tab

Offer A (California, 9.3%)$100,840 after tax

Offer B (Texas, 0%)$99,280 after tax

After-tax differenceOnly $1,560

California’s 9.3% state tax erodes most of Offer A’s advantage. The $12,500 gross gap shrinks to just $1,560 after tax.

Hidden Value tab

Offer B extra PTO (10 days)+$4,231

Offer B $0 insurance vs $2,400+$2,400

Offer B HSA employer contribution+$1,000

Offer B fully remote (no commute)+$5,400

Total hidden advantage$13,031 for Offer B

Offer B’s extra 10 PTO days + zero insurance + remote work + HSA = $13,031 in hidden value. Combined with the after-tax numbers, Offer B is the clear winner despite its lower base salary.

FAQ

How do I calculate total compensation from a job offer? ▼

Total compensation includes base salary, target bonus (as a percentage of base), annual RSU/equity vesting value, employer 401k match, and subtracts your health insurance premiums. Benefits average about 31% of total comp in private industry (BLS 2025). The most commonly overlooked component is the 401k match — a 100% match on 6% of a $120K salary is $7,200 in free money per year.

How much does state income tax affect my take-home pay? ▼

Significantly. California’s top rate is 9.3% (13.3% above $1M), while Texas, Florida, Nevada, Washington, and five other states have 0% state income tax. On a $120,000 salary, moving from California to Texas saves roughly $8,000-$11,000 per year in state taxes alone. Use the After-Tax tab to see exact numbers for your situation.

How do I value PTO days in a job offer? ▼

The standard method divides your annual salary by 260 working days (52 weeks × 5 days) to get your daily rate. For example, at $120,000, each PTO day is worth $461.54. Ten extra PTO days = $4,615 in value. This is real money — it’s time you’re paid to not work, equivalent to a salary increase.

What is a typical 401k employer match? ▼

The most common structure is a 50% match on your contributions up to 6% of salary. Dollar-for-dollar (100%) matches up to 3-6% are also common at larger employers. Safe harbor plans offer 100% of the first 3% plus 50% of the next 2%. The average 401k match in 2026 is between 4-6% of compensation. The 2026 employee contribution limit is $24,500 ($72,000 combined employee + employer).

How much should I weigh remote work in a salary comparison? ▼

Remote work typically saves $4,000-$5,000 per year in commute costs, meals, and work wardrobe. Hybrid saves roughly $1,500-$2,000. Beyond direct savings, remote work gives you back 200-500 hours per year in commute time. The Hidden Value tab quantifies commute costs and remote savings. For many people, a $10K pay cut for a fully remote role is financially neutral or even positive once you account for all savings.

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