Compare & Plan
Job Offer Comparison Calculator
Enter two job offers — each with its own salary, pay schedule, and benefit deductions — and see them side by side. Because a biweekly paycheck and a monthly paycheck aren’t directly comparable, the calculator normalizes both to annual figures so you can see which offer actually puts more money in your pocket.
Informational only — not financial advice. Covers FICA (Social Security & Medicare) only; does not calculate federal or state income tax withholding.
Enter both salaries to see a side-by-side annual and per-paycheck comparison.
How this calculator works
Step 1 — Per-paycheck gross
Each offer’s annual salary is divided by its number of pay periods using exact arithmetic — no intermediate rounding:
- Weekly: annual ÷ 52
- Biweekly: annual ÷ 26
- Semi-monthly: annual ÷ 24
- Monthly: annual ÷ 12
Step 2 — FICA on each paycheck
FICA is computed on each offer’s per-paycheck gross using the same formula as the Paycheck Take-Home Calculator:
- Social Security: 6.2% on wages up to the 2026 annual wage base of $184,500 (SSA.gov).
- Medicare: 1.45% on all FICA-taxable wages with no ceiling (IRS Publication 15).
- Section 125 deductions (health, dental, vision, FSA, HSA) reduce FICA-taxable wages — enter per-paycheck amounts for each offer. Different employers offer different benefit plans, so entering the actual numbers for each offer sharpens the comparison.
- 401(k) pre-tax contributions reduce your federal taxable income but do notreduce FICA-taxable wages per IRC § 3121(a).
Step 3 — Annualize for comparison
Per-paycheck FICA and net pay are multiplied by each offer’s number of pay periods to produce annual totals. This is the only way to compare a biweekly offer and a monthly offer on equal footing — a monthly paycheck is larger but arrives only 12 times per year, while biweekly paychecks arrive 26 times.
The “Est. Net / Year” row is the primary comparison figure: it is the annual salary minus annualized FICA, Section 125, and 401(k) for each offer.
What this calculator doesn’t cover
Income tax withholding. Federal and state income tax depend on your W-4 elections, filing status, and state of residence — all of which may differ between offers if they are in different states. These are explicitly out of scope. The net figures shown are estimates based on FICA deductions only.
Non-salary compensation. Equity, signing bonuses, 401(k) match, PTO, and other benefits are not included. The calculator compares cash compensation and FICA only.
High-earner SS cap nuance. FICA is computed per paycheck without year-to-date context. For salaries well above the $184,500 SS wage base, the annualized Social Security figure will overstate mid-year amounts once the cap is hit. Use the Paycheck Take-Home Calculator with YTD wages for a mid-year view.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare two job offers with different pay frequencies?
Convert both to the same basis — annual salary is the cleanest. Then divide by 26 for biweekly, 24 for semi-monthly, 52 for weekly, or 12 for monthly to see per-paycheck amounts. A $70,000 biweekly job gives $2,692 per paycheck; the same salary paid semi-monthly gives $2,917 — the annual total is identical.
Should pre-tax benefit deductions factor into my comparison?
Yes, significantly. Pre-tax benefit contributions — health, dental, FSA, HSA — reduce both your taxable income and your FICA-taxable wages. A job where the employer covers more of the premium is worth more than its gross salary implies. Enter each offer's deductions to see the real take-home difference.
Does this comparison include federal income tax?
No. Income tax withholding depends on your W-4 elections, filing status, and deductions — too many personal variables to model reliably. The comparison shows FICA and pre-tax deductions, which provides a consistent, apples-to-apples take-home comparison between two offers.
What else should I consider beyond take-home pay?
Retirement match, paid time off, health plan quality, equity, commute cost, and career growth all affect total compensation. This calculator shows the paycheck math clearly — use it alongside your full benefits and career analysis to make a complete comparison.
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