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Salary Negotiation Calculator
See what a successful negotiation is really worth. Enter the job offer and your counteroffer, including bonus, equity, benefits and signing bonus, to get the first-year difference, the percentage increase, your raise over your current pay and how a higher starting salary compounds over your career.
Last updated:
Offer you received
$/ yr
% of base
$
Grant value ÷ vesting years
$
401(k) match, health premiums paid, stipends
$
Your counteroffer
Counter base salary as
% more base
$/ yr
% of base
$
$
$
Long-term impact
$
Base + bonus at your current job, to see your raise
years
%
Raises are a percent of base, so a higher start compounds
years
Typical vesting period
% / yr
0 = just add it up
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the Salary Negotiation Calculator
- Enter the offer: base salary, target bonus, yearly equity value, benefits and any signing bonus.
- Enter your counter as a percentage above the offer or as an exact salary, plus the other terms you will ask for.
- Add your current pay to see the raise each version gives you.
- Set the long-term assumptions: years left in your career, average raise and how long equity vests.
- Press Compare offers to see the difference now and over your career.
What a higher starting salary is worth
Extra base salary over a career with yearly raises of 3% (gross, not invested):
| Extra base in year 1 | Over 10 years | Over 20 years | Over 30 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2,000 | $22,928 | $53,741 | $95,151 |
| $5,000 | $57,319 | $134,352 | $237,877 |
| $10,000 | $114,639 | $268,704 | $475,754 |
| $15,000 | $171,958 | $403,056 | $713,631 |
Formula: extra × ((1.03)years − 1) ÷ 0.03.
How the comparison works
- First-year package = base + base × bonus % + yearly equity + benefits + signing bonus.
- Recurring compensation leaves out the one-time signing bonus, so it shows the lasting difference.
- Raise over current pay compares cash pay (base + bonus) with what you earn now.
- Career impact grows base and bonus by your average raise each year, adds equity for the vesting period and benefits every year.
Negotiation tips
- Research the market: salary surveys, job postings with pay ranges and people in similar roles give you a defensible number.
- Anchor with a specific figure slightly above your target, and explain the value you bring.
- Negotiate the whole package: if base is capped, a signing bonus, extra equity or more vacation may still be possible.
- Get it in writing: make sure the final offer letter reflects every term you agreed.
- Stay polite and positive: a counteroffer is normal, and a well-reasoned ask rarely costs an offer.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I counter a salary offer?
There is no single rule, but many candidates ask for roughly 5% to 15% above the offer, backed by market data for the role and location. Counter with a specific number you can justify, and use this calculator to see what each extra percent is worth over time.
Why does a small raise at the start matter so much?
Future raises are usually a percentage of your current base, so a higher starting salary lifts every later raise too. A $5,000 higher base with 3% yearly raises adds up to about $238,000 over 30 years, before any investment growth.
How is the career impact calculated?
Each year the base and bonus of both versions grow by your average raise. Equity is counted for the vesting years you enter, benefits stay flat and the signing bonus counts once. The difference each year is summed; the base part alone equals difference × ((1 + g)^N − 1) ÷ g.
What should I negotiate besides base salary?
Signing bonus, bonus target, equity, start date, remote work, extra vacation, education budget, relocation and title can all be negotiable. Some cost the employer less than a base increase, so they are easier to win.
How do I value equity in an offer?
For stock or RSUs, divide the grant's current value by the vesting period to get a yearly value. Stock options are worth the expected share price minus the strike price, which is uncertain at private companies, so many people discount them heavily.
Are these figures before or after tax?
Before tax. Base, bonus and signing bonuses are taxed as income, equity is taxed when it vests or is exercised depending on the type, and many benefits such as a 401(k) match or employer health premiums are tax-advantaged.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.
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