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Total Compensation Calculator
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Total Compensation Calculator
Combine the value of your base pay and job benefits to estimate total compensation.
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14 years of experience Expertise Financial advisors employee equity 529 plansTaryn Phaneuf is a lead writer & content strategist covering wealth management, financial planning and other investing topics at NerdWallet. She previously reported on personal finance news. Prior to joining NerdWallet, she spent more than a decade covering education, public policy and business for various news outlets. She also taught journalism as an adjunct instructor at her alma mater, the University of Minnesota.
Taryn Phaneuf is a lead writer & content strategist covering wealth management, financial planning and other investing topics at NerdWallet. She previously reported on personal finance news. Prior to joining NerdWallet, she spent more than a decade covering education, public policy and business for various news outlets. She also taught journalism as an adjunct instructor at her alma mater, the University of Minnesota.She lives in Minnesota.
She lives in Minnesota. Published in Lead Writer & Content Strategist + more + more
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23 years of experience Expertise Taxes Small business Social Security and estate planning Home services RIATina Orem is an editor and content strategist at NerdWallet. Prior to becoming an editor and content strategist, she covered small business and taxes at NerdWallet. She has a degree in finance, as well as a master's degree in journalism and an MBA. Previously, she was a financial analyst and director of finance at public and private companies. Tina's work has appeared in a variety of local and national media outlets.
Tina Orem is an editor and content strategist at NerdWallet. Prior to becoming an editor and content strategist, she covered small business and taxes at NerdWallet. She has a degree in finance, as well as a master's degree in journalism and an MBA. Previously, she was a financial analyst and director of finance at public and private companies. Tina's work has appeared in a variety of local and national media outlets. Published in Editor & Content Strategist + more + moreFor many high earners, salary is just a piece of their job-related earnings. A compensation package may also include employer retirement contributions, performance bonuses, employee equity, such as restricted stock units, and monthly or annual stipends covering common work expenses like transportation or professional development.
For many high earners, salary is just a piece of their job-related earnings. A compensation package may also include employer retirement contributions, performance bonuses, employee equity, such as restricted stock units , and monthly or annual stipends covering common work expenses like transportation or professional development.Total compensation is the value of your base salary plus any and all fringe benefits you receive from your employer. Calculating total compensation comes in handy when you’re evaluating job offers or talking through raises and promotions with your current employer. If you’re trying to negotiate higher pay, looking at total compensation could help you identify creative ways to do it.
Total compensation is the value of your base salary plus any and all fringe benefits you receive from your employer. Calculating total compensation comes in handy when you’re evaluating job offers or talking through raises and promotions with your current employer. If you’re trying to negotiate higher pay, looking at total compensation could help you identify creative ways to do it. AdvertisementGet matched to a financial advisor for free with NerdWallet Advisors Match.
Total compensation calculator
Total compensation calculatorInput the details of your compensation package to see your total compensation for the first year on the job.
Input the details of your compensation package to see your total compensation for the first year on the job.How to use the total compensation calculator
How to use the total compensation calculatorTo calculate total compensation, you’ll need the pay package details for your current job or for an offer you’re considering.
To calculate total compensation, you’ll need the pay package details for your current job or for an offer you’re considering.Base salary. This is likely the starting point of your compensation package.
Base salary. Base salary. This is likely the starting point of your compensation package.Signing (or sign-on) bonus. This could be a one-time lump sum payment meant to entice you to take a job offer. If accepting a new job means leaving behind unvested stock or unearned bonuses, you could try negotiating a signing bonus to help offset those losses.
Signing (or sign-on) bonus. Signing (or sign-on) bonus. This could be a one-time lump sum payment meant to entice you to take a job offer. If accepting a new job means leaving behind unvested stock or unearned bonuses, you could try negotiating a signing bonus to help offset those losses.Performance bonus. Some jobs pay lower base salaries in favor of performance-based bonuses paid at regular intervals. Include the annual total if it’s part of your offer or current compensation.
Performance bonus. Performance bonus. Some jobs pay lower base salaries in favor of performance-based bonuses paid at regular intervals. Include the annual total if it’s part of your offer or current compensation.Employee equity. If you get shares of the company in the form of RSUs or stock options, they could be a valuable addition to your pay package. But they tend to follow vesting schedules that limit how much they’re worth in your first year on the job. You’ll need details about the value of your offer. The calculator will estimate your total compensation using just the shares that vest in your first year (assuming the options vest ratably).
Employee equity. Employee equity. If you get shares of the company in the form of RSUs or stock options , they could be a valuable addition to your pay package. But they tend to follow vesting schedules that limit how much they’re worth in your first year on the job. You’ll need details about the value of your offer. The calculator will estimate your total compensation using just the shares that vest in your first year (assuming the options vest ratably).Retirement plan employer match. If your compensation package includes a retirement plan like a 401(k), your employer may match all or part of your contributions up to a certain percentage of your base salary. Some employers may have vesting requirements for retirement plan matches, which would require you to stay employed long enough to keep that portion of your compensation when you leave your job.
Retirement plan employer match. Retirement plan employer match. If your compensation package includes a retirement plan like a 401(k) , your employer may match all or part of your contributions up to a certain percentage of your base salary. Some employers may have vesting requirements for retirement plan matches, which would require you to stay employed long enough to keep that portion of your compensation when you leave your job.Monthly fringe benefits. Some employers pay monthly stipends for common expenses such as wellness programs or transportation. Or you may receive access to benefits that have a known value. Add together the monthly value of those benefits to see how they impact your total compensation.
Monthly fringe benefits. Monthly fringe benefits. Some employers pay monthly stipends for common expenses such as wellness programs or transportation. Or you may receive access to benefits that have a known value. Add together the monthly value of those benefits to see how they impact your total compensation.Other fringe benefits. Enter the total of any non-monthly benefits you receive, such as an annual professional development allowance.
Other fringe benefits. Other fringe benefits. Enter the total of any non-monthly benefits you receive, such as an annual professional development allowance.» RSUs vs. stock options: What’s the difference?
» » RSUs vs. stock options: What’s the difference?Comparing offers? Consider this…
Comparing offers? Consider this…Health insurance costs can be another major sticking point when evaluating total compensation. If you’re switching jobs to get a hefty pay raise, the last thing you want is for that extra income to be eaten up by premiums and higher out-of-pocket expenses.
Health insurance costs can be another major sticking point when evaluating total compensation. If you’re switching jobs to get a hefty pay raise, the last thing you want is for that extra income to be eaten up by premiums and higher out-of-pocket expenses.Because of its variability, health insurance falls outside the scope of this calculator. But be sure to gather information about the cost of a prospective employer’s health insurance plan as you consider any job offers. It’s also worth comparing employer-paid life insurance, disability coverage, parental leave and paid time off.
Because of its variability, health insurance falls outside the scope of this calculator. But be sure to gather information about the cost of a prospective employer’s health insurance plan as you consider any job offers. It’s also worth comparing employer-paid life insurance, disability coverage, parental leave and paid time off.