Two job offers? Compare total annual value — salary, bonus, 401(k) match and paid time off — side by side.
Estimates use current federal tax parameters — not tax advice.
Salary is not the whole offer
A 401(k) match is real money: a 4% match on $70,000 adds $2,800 a year you would otherwise save on your own. Paid time off is money too — ten extra PTO days at a $70,000 job are worth roughly $2,690. Compare total value, then weigh benefits this tool cannot price: health coverage quality, commute, growth and stability.
Estimating net pay per offer
The net figures below apply federal tax and FICA to base + bonus, which is what actually lands in your bank account each year. A higher gross offer usually wins on net pay too, unless the difference is small and the match is lopsided.
What this comparison leaves out
Equity or stock options, health plan quality, signing bonuses, relocation packages, professional development budgets and job stability all carry value that a salary-and-match model cannot capture. A $5,000-higher offer with a 90-minute commute can easily lose to the shorter one once you price your hours at the real hourly rate.
Using total value in your negotiation
Present the gap, not a demand: “The total value of the current offer is $79,000 against your $76,000 — closing that with the match or a signing bonus would make this an easy yes.” Employers can often move on match percentage or PTO days even when base salary is frozen.
Frequently asked questions
Should I take more salary or more 401(k) match?
As a rule of thumb, value a match at 100 cents on the dollar — it is instant, guaranteed compensation.
How much is a PTO day worth?
Annual salary ÷ 260 working days. Ten days at $65,000 is about $2,500 of paid rest.
Is a 4% 401(k) match good?
Yes — 4% is at the common end of employer matches (typical range 3–6%). Anything up to a 6% match is competitive.
How do I compare a stock/equity offer?
Conservatively, value unvested equity at what you could actually sell it for, and only after vesting. This tool excludes equity — weigh it separately.
Should I count commute time in the comparison?
Financially it shows up as unpaid hours; 90 extra minutes a day is ~390 hours a year — effectively 10 unpaid work weeks.