Decision Support

Job Offer Evaluator

Don't just look at the base salary. Evaluate total compensation, model your equity vesting schedule, and compare competing offers side-by-side using Cost of Living normalization.

Offer Details

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%
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401k Match%

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Normalized Total Comp (Run Rate)
$167,800

Adjusted for National Average (Base)

Base Salary$120,000
Annual Bonus+ $12,000
Risk-Adj. EquityPaper: $25,000/yr
+ $25,000
Monetized Benefits+ $10,800
True Hourly Wage$80.67/hr
Vostego Score

Holistic offer strength.

79/100

Risk-Adjusted Vesting

Company A Vesting
$35,000
Yr 1
$25,000
Yr 2
$25,000
Yr 3
$25,000
Yr 4
Equity (Adjusted)
Sign-on

How to evaluate a tech job offer

Tech compensation is notoriously complex. A $120k offer from a startup might actually be worth less than an $80k offer from an enterprise company once you factor in healthcare premiums, 401k matches, and the actual liquidity of the equity being offered.

When evaluating an offer, keep these three rules in mind:

  • Base Salary is King: Base salary determines your annual raises, your bonus payout (which is usually a percentage of base), and your starting point for your next job. Never trade base salary for a one-time sign-on bonus if you plan to stay longer than a year.
  • The "Four-Year Cliff": Many tech companies offer a massive initial equity grant that vests over four years. What happens in Year 5? This is known as the "cliff." Make sure you understand the company's "refresher" grant policy.
  • Cost of Living is Real: $150k in San Francisco provides roughly the same purchasing power as $85k in Chicago. If you are relocating for a role, ensure the compensation increase outpaces the cost of living increase.