Salary Comparison Calculator
Compare job offers side-by-side after taxes and benefits. See which offer actually puts more money in your pocket — the highest salary doesn't always win.
| Job A | Job B | |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | $85,000 | $95,000 |
| Annual Bonus | $0 | $0 |
| Employer 401(k) Match | +$2,550 | +$2,850 |
| Total Compensation | $87,550 | $97,850Best |
| Federal Tax | -$9,038 | -$11,106 |
| State Tax | -$3,453 | -$0 |
| FICA + Medicare | -$7,438 | -$7,268 |
| 401(k) Contribution | -$5,100 | -$5,700 |
| Health Insurance | -$2,400 | -$2,400 |
| Annual Take-Home Pay | $57,572 | $68,527Best |
| Monthly Take-Home | $4,798 | $5,711 |
Best Take-Home
Job B: $68,527/yr
Best Total Compensation
Job B: $97,850/yr
Take-Home Pay Comparison
Model your best offer in detail
Job B gives you $5,711/month take-home. See how that flows through your full financial plan — budget, savings, investments, and beyond.
Try the Full SimulatorHow to Compare Job Offers Beyond Salary
When evaluating job offers, base salary is just the starting point. Two positions with identical salaries can differ by tens of thousands of dollars in actual value once you account for taxes, benefits, and perks. The key is to calculate your effective compensation — the total value you receive minus the total cost of working there.
Our calculator helps you quantify the biggest financial factors: taxes (which vary dramatically by state), 401(k) matching (free money from your employer), bonuses, and health insurance costs. Use it to make data-driven decisions rather than comparing headline salary numbers.
Understanding Total Compensation
Total compensation includes everything of monetary value your employer provides:
Base Salary
Your guaranteed annual pay — the foundation of your compensation.
Bonuses
Annual, quarterly, or signing bonuses. Note that performance-based bonuses are not guaranteed.
401(k) Match
An employer matching 4% on a $100K salary adds $4,000/year. Often overlooked but compounds significantly over time.
Health Insurance
Employer-subsidized premiums can save you $3,000-$8,000/year compared to buying insurance on your own.
Stock Options/RSUs
Common in tech, these can represent a large portion of total compensation. Factor in vesting schedules.
PTO and Benefits
Extra vacation days have a calculable value (daily salary rate). Benefits like parental leave, disability insurance, and professional development add up.
The Impact of State Taxes on Your Paycheck
Where you work can significantly impact how much of your salary you actually keep. Consider this example: a $120,000 offer in California (state income tax up to 13.3%) versus a $105,000 offer in Texas (no state income tax). After all taxes, the California job might yield only about $2,000-$4,000 more in annual take-home pay despite a $15,000 higher salary.
Nine states have no state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. However, some of these states make up for it with higher property taxes, sales taxes, or cost of living. Always consider the full picture — not just income tax rates — when comparing locations.
Negotiation Tips for Higher Compensation
Know your market rate.
Research compensation on Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, Payscale, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Adjust for your location, experience level, and industry.
Negotiate base salary AND benefits.
If the employer can't budge on base salary, ask for a signing bonus, higher 401(k) match, additional PTO, or a flexible work arrangement.
Get competing offers.
Having multiple offers is the strongest negotiating position. You don't need to play employers against each other — simply having alternatives gives you confidence and leverage.
Negotiate after the offer, not before.
Wait until you have a written offer before discussing compensation. The employer has already decided they want you — now you have maximum leverage.
Consider the total package.
A slightly lower salary with better benefits, growth opportunities, and work-life balance may be worth more in the long run than maximizing base pay.
Model Your Best Job Offer in Trajectoryy
This calculator compares offers side-by-side. Trajectoryy's full simulator shows how your chosen salary flows through your entire financial life — taxes, savings, investments, loans, and retirement — month by month for years into the future.
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