Evaluate total compensation, growth trajectory, and lifestyle fit — not just the salary number. A $90,000 offer with great benefits and growth can beat a $100,000 offer with none.
Total Compensation Comparison Worksheet
| Component | Current Job | New Offer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $85,000 | $95,000 | +$10,000 |
| Annual bonus (target) | $5,000 | $8,000 | +$3,000 |
| 401(k) match (employer portion) | $3,400 (4%) | $5,700 (6%) | +$2,300 |
| Health insurance (employer portion) | $8,000 | $10,000 | +$2,000 |
| HSA contribution (employer) | $0 | $1,000 | +$1,000 |
| Stock/equity/RSUs | $0 | $5,000/year | +$5,000 |
| PTO value (salary ÷ days × extra days) | 15 days | 20 days | +$1,825 |
| Other perks (tuition, gym, etc.) | $500 | $2,000 | +$1,500 |
| Total compensation | $101,900 | $126,700 | +$24,800 |
The $10,000 salary increase is actually a $24,800 total compensation increase when benefits are included.
Decision Framework
| Factor | Weight This If… | Green Flag | Red Flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salary | You have specific financial goals | 10%+ raise | Pay cut with no other upside |
| Benefits | You have a family, health concerns | Better healthcare, higher match | Worse or no benefits |
| Growth | You’re early/mid career | Clear promotion path | Dead-end role |
| Culture | You’ve left toxic workplaces before | Good reviews, low turnover | High turnover, bad Glassdoor |
| Work-life balance | You’re burned out | Flexible hours, remote option | 60+ hour expectation |
| Commute | You value your time | Remote or short commute | 1+ hour each way |
| Stability | You have dependents | Profitable, growing company | Startup, recent layoffs |
| Learning | You want new skills | New technologies, mentorship | Same work you already know |
Cost-of-Living Adjustment for Relocation
| City | Income Needed to Match $85K in Avg US City |
|---|---|
| San Francisco | $142,000 |
| New York City | $130,000 |
| Boston | $115,000 |
| Seattle | $112,000 |
| Denver | $100,000 |
| Austin | $95,000 |
| Dallas | $85,000 |
| Kansas City | $75,000 |
| Boise | $78,000 |
A $100,000 offer in SF may leave you worse off than $85,000 in Kansas City.
When to Accept
| Signal | Why It’s Good |
|---|---|
| 15%+ total compensation increase | Meaningful financial improvement |
| Better growth trajectory | Higher earning potential long-term |
| Escaping a toxic environment | Mental health and career preservation |
| Industry or role you want to move into | Strategic career pivot |
| Better work-life balance | Prevents burnout, improves quality of life |
| Company is growing/stable | Job security and opportunity |
When to Decline (or Negotiate)
| Signal | Why Walk Away or Counter |
|---|---|
| Less than 10% raise for similar role | Not worth the disruption and risk |
| Worse benefits that eat into salary gain | Net negative total compensation |
| Red flags in interviews (disorganized, high turnover) | Culture problems won’t improve |
| Gut feeling says no | Your instincts have data your spreadsheet doesn’t |
| Would require relocating without desire to move | Resentment builds quickly |
| No negotiation flexibility | May signal how they’ll treat you as an employee |
The Bottom Line
Calculate total compensation (salary + bonus + benefits + equity), factor in cost of living, and assess non-financial factors (growth, culture, work-life balance). Accept when the full package is clearly better. Decline when only the salary is slightly higher but everything else is worse.
Related: Should I Ask for a Raise? | Should I Leave My Job Without Another?