Compare Total Compensation
2-3 hoursLine up base salary, bonus, equity, 401(k) match, health premiums, PTO, and other benefits across all offers.
Field context
This workflow is part of 4 niche fields
Job offer evaluation guide to compare base salary, bonuses, equity, benefits, remote policies, and total compensation before accepting a new position.
Line up base salary, bonus, equity, 401(k) match, health premiums, PTO, and other benefits across all offers.
Normalize offers to equivalent purchasing power if roles are in different cities or remote with location-based pay.
Assess promotion paths, learning opportunities, manager quality, and industry reputation beyond the headline salary.
Use market data and competing offers to negotiate base, sign-on bonus, equity, or start date before accepting.
Weigh financial comparison, career trajectory, work-life balance, and personal values to accept the best overall fit.
Side-by-side comparison of total compensation packages. · Re-rank offers after cost-of-living normalization.
Convert between hourly, annual, and biweekly pay formats. · Verify requested counter-offer meets your target.
Estimate take-home pay after taxes and deductions.
Adjust salary offers for housing, taxes, and daily expenses by city.
Estimate 5-year earnings trajectory at each employer.
Project future compensation with typical annual raises. · Calculate impact of negotiated base salary increase.
Confirm chosen offer supports your monthly financial goals.
Key elements to include when comparing job offers beyond base salary.
| Component | Typical Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | Largest cash component | Negotiate this first |
| Annual bonus | 10-20% of base | Often discretionary |
| 401(k) match | 3-6% of salary | Immediate vesting varies |
| Health insurance | $5,000-$20,000/year | Compare premiums and deductibles |
| Equity/RSUs | Varies widely | Value at grant, not peak |
| PTO | 15-25 days | Unlimited PTO may mean less actual time off |
In many states it is illegal for employers to ask your current salary. Anchor negotiations to market rate, not your history.
Large sign-on bonuses with clawback clauses trap you if the role is a poor fit — understand repayment terms before signing.
High-tax states can erase a $15,000 salary difference. Always compare estimated take-home after federal, state, and local taxes.
Mention competing offers factually without bluffing — employers verify and rescind offers for dishonesty.