Job Offer Comparison
The bigger salary isn't always the better offer. Factor in bonus, benefits, commute, and time off to see which one really pays more per hour of your life.
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Offer by offer
Every input, side by side — including the two numbers that matter most, at the bottom.
| Offer A | Offer B |
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How this calculator works
For each offer, we add up total compensation: base salary, bonus, equity, and employer retirement match, minus what you'd pay out of pocket for health insurance and minus your annual commute cost. That's the money side of the offer.
Then we convert it to a real hourly value — total compensation divided by every hour the job actually costs you, including commute time, over a work year adjusted for how much PTO you get. More PTO or a shorter commute means fewer hours for the same pay, which pushes the real hourly value up even if the salary itself is lower. That's why the offer with the bigger number on paper doesn't always win here — and when it doesn't, we call that out directly.
What this doesn't account for
- Career growth potential — which role builds more valuable skills or opens more doors later.
- Company stability, and how much risk each offer's equity or bonus structure actually carries.
- Your manager and team — often a bigger factor in day-to-day happiness than any number here.
- Remote or hybrid flexibility, which can be worth more than its effect on commute time alone.
- Learning opportunities and mentorship that don't show up in a paycheck.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are two job offers compared fairly?
We convert each offer to a value per effective working hour — salary minus estimated taxes and commute costs, divided by actual hours worked per year (including commute). This accounts for the fact that a higher salary with longer hours or a longer commute may actually pay less per real hour than a lower salary with better conditions.
What is "value per effective hour" and why use it?
It's what each job actually pays you per hour of your life committed to it — not just the hours at your desk, but commute time and extra work hours too. This is the most honest basis for comparison because two offers with the same salary can differ significantly in what they actually cost you in time.
Should I try to put a value on benefits?
Yes, if the benefit differences are significant. Health insurance, retirement contributions, paid time off, and remote work allowances all have real dollar values. A job with worse benefits but a $10,000 higher salary may not actually be a better deal once those differences are priced in.
How are commute costs handled in the comparison?
You can enter monthly commute costs for each offer. These are subtracted from the annualized salary to get the true net compensation. Combined with the commute time input (which adds to your total hours committed), this shows the real impact of commuting on the offer's overall value.