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What is my job really worth?

Total Compensation Calculator

Add your salary, bonus, and employer-paid benefits to see your total compensation, your true hourly rate, and the freelance rate that would match it.

  • Data updated
  • Free, no signup
  • Runs in your browser
Cash pay

The salary on your offer letter or pay stub, before taxes.

Use your expected or target bonus. Leave at 0 if none.

Employer-paid benefits

Your employer's share of premiums, not what you pay. Your benefits statement usually lists it. The default is a placeholder; replace it with your figure.

Yearly value of equity that vests, transit, wellness, stipends, and similar perks.

Hours

Used for your true hourly rate.

Hours a year you could bill clients as a freelancer.

Your total compensation

Enter your salary and benefits to see what your job is worth in total.

Your answer will show

  1. The answer in plain English
  2. How we calculated it, step by step
  3. The rule that applies where you work
  4. The official source and when we last checked it

Your calculation runs in your browser. No account needed.

Informational estimate, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Why?

This calculator uses the information you enter and publicly available government data. Real situations can involve employment contracts, company policy, collective bargaining agreements, and exceptions we can't see.

For advice about your specific situation, talk to a licensed employment attorney or your state labor department.

The short answer

Your true (total) compensation = base salary + employer-paid benefits (health insurance premiums, 401(k) match, bonuses, the dollar value of PTO, and stock/equity) + perks. It's the full value of your package, not just the cash on your offer letter.

Employer-paid benefits typically add 20–40% on top of base salary. For example, an $80,000 base salary with about $24,000 in benefits comes to roughly $104,000 in total compensation.

Use total compensation to compare job offers accurately and to work out the freelance/contractor rate you'd need to charge to match your current package.

Common questions

What is the difference between base salary and total compensation?
Base salary is just your cash wages — the number on your offer letter. Total compensation includes everything your employer provides: base salary + annual bonus + employer 401(k) match + health/dental/vision insurance premiums paid by employer + life insurance + PTO value + equity/RSUs + other perks. A $90,000 base salary at a company with good benefits can easily equal $120,000–$130,000 in total compensation.
How much are employee benefits worth in dollars?
According to BLS data (2026), employer-provided benefits add an average of 29–32% on top of wages. For a $70,000 salary, that means roughly $20,000–$22,000 in benefit value annually. Health insurance alone is typically worth $6,000–$15,000/year depending on family size. A 401(k) match of 4% on a $70,000 salary = $2,800/year in free money.
How do I calculate the value of RSUs in my compensation?
RSU (Restricted Stock Unit) value = number of units × current stock price × your vesting percentage for the year. Example: 400 RSUs vesting over 4 years at $50/share = 100 units/year × $50 = $5,000/year in equity compensation (before taxes). RSUs are taxed as ordinary income when they vest — plan for 30–40% going to taxes in a typical tax bracket.
Should I compare job offers by salary or by total compensation?
Always compare by total compensation, not just salary. A $10,000 higher salary at one job can easily be offset by a worse 401(k) match, higher health insurance premiums you pay, or less PTO. Use our True Compensation Calculator to convert both offers into an accurate annual dollar comparison before deciding.

Related calculators and rules

Read the guide behind this calculator