Total Compensation Calculator 2026

Base salary is fixed cash pay. Total compensation (total comp) is the full economic value of an employment package: base, annual bonus, RSU/equity vesting, sign-on bonuses, refresh grants, and sometimes 401(k) employer match. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports median cash wages for software developers at $133,080 per year (May 2024 OEWS data) — but at large tech employers, RSU grants can add hundreds of thousands of dollars over a 4-year vest, which is why comparing offers on base salary alone often misstates the real package.

Under Internal Revenue Code Section 83, RSUs are taxed as ordinary income when they vest — not when granted. The taxable amount is the fair market value of the shares on the vest date, reported as wages on Form W-2. RSUs are not eligible for an IRC §83(b) election because no property is transferred at grant (per IRS Publication 5992). Employers withhold federal income tax, Social Security (6.2% up to the annual wage base), and Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax above $200,000 for single filers). This calculator models RSU vests as ordinary income in the vest year.

IRS Publication 15 (2026) allows employers to withhold supplemental wages — including RSU vests — at a flat 22% federal rate (37% on supplemental wages above $1 million per employer per year). If your marginal federal bracket is 24%, 32%, or 35%, the 22% flat withholding often under-collects. You may owe additional tax at filing. This calculator uses your actual marginal tax rate on combined income, not the 22% supplemental withholding rate, so results reflect estimated true after-tax value.

The initial 4-year grant vests 25% per year (shown quarterly in the vest schedule tab). Annual refresh grants vest in the year granted, starting year 2. Equity is valued at grant price for the base scenario, then adjusted by your stock scenario: bear (−30%), base (grant price), or bull (+50%). Vesting schedules vary by employer — check your grant agreement for cliff dates and vest frequency.

Guaranteed value is after-tax cash only: salary, target bonus, and sign-on — income you receive regardless of stock price movement. Expected value adds equity at your chosen stock scenario on top of after-tax cash. Guaranteed comp is what you can count on if the stock goes to zero; expected comp is the full economic package if the stock performs as modeled. Both are after federal, state, and FICA taxes for your filing status.

Base case values RSUs at grant price (the price when shares were awarded). Bear case applies a −30% haircut to simulate a down market. Bull case applies +50% to model appreciation. These are stress-test scenarios — not predictions. Actual stock returns depend on company performance and market conditions. The All Scenarios tab shows which company wins under each case.

It depends on stock scenario, refresh grants, and taxes. Higher base wins on guaranteed cash every year. A larger RSU package plus annual refreshers can overtake over 4 years — especially in bull scenarios. Enter both offers and switch between scenario tabs to see where the crossover happens. State tax matters too: moving from California (up to 13.3% top marginal) to Texas or Washington (no state income tax on wages) can shift the after-tax winner.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), the national median annual wage for software developers (SOC 15-1252) was $133,080 in May 2024. The 10th percentile earned below $79,850; the 90th percentile earned above $211,450. These figures reflect employer-reported cash wages. Total compensation at large technology employers often exceeds these medians because of RSU grants, which are taxed separately at vest per IRS rules.

Yes. RSU vests are taxed as ordinary income in the vest year per IRC §83. The calculator uses 2026 federal brackets, state income tax for your selected state, and FICA — Social Security 6.2% up to the $184,500 wage base (2026, per IRS Pub. 15), Medicare 1.45%, and Additional Medicare Tax 0.9% above $200,000 for single filers. Guaranteed and expected values are after-tax estimates.

An annual refresh (or retention grant) is a new RSU award issued after your initial hire grant, typically starting in year 2 or 3 of employment. Unlike the original 4-year grant, refreshes often vest over a shorter period or in the grant year. Companies use refreshes as retention tools. Enter your expected annual refresh value in the calculator — omitting refreshes understates total comp for employees who stay 3+ years.

Use 1-year comparison for immediate cash flow and sign-on decisions. Use the 4-year model for the full economic picture — RSU grants are almost always 4-year packages, and refresh grants compound in years 2–4. A higher year-1 offer with a smaller 4-year grant can lose over time. This calculator shows both: guaranteed cash (year-by-year) and cumulative 4-year expected value.

Offer Comparison includes 401(k) match, health insurance premiums, PTO value, ESPP, and relocation costs. Total Compensation Calculator focuses on the core tech comp stack — base, bonus, RSU, refreshers, sign-on — with explicit bear/base/bull stock scenarios and a guaranteed vs expected split. Use both for a complete picture when evaluating two job offers.

For each year, we compute gross cash (base + bonus + sign-on) and gross at your stock scenario (cash + RSU vests at scenario price). After-tax guaranteed = gross cash minus taxes. After-tax expected = gross scenario minus taxes. Both use our paycheck tax engine — the same logic as our salary tax calculator: 2026 federal brackets (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32), state income tax for your selected state, Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45%, and Additional Medicare Tax 0.9% above $200,000 for single filers. In short: after-tax pay = gross − federal − state − FICA.

IRS Publication 15 allows employers to withhold a flat 22% federal rate on supplemental wages (including RSU vests). That is a paycheck withholding rule — not your actual tax liability. If your marginal bracket is 24%, 32%, or 35%, 22% withholding under-collects and you may owe more at filing. This calculator estimates true tax using your full annual income and marginal brackets, which is the correct basis for comparing two offers.

Initial grant: EquityVest per year = 4-year grant ÷ 4 (25% annually). Quarterly events = annual vest ÷ 4. Refresh grants: full annual refresh amount vests in years 2, 3, and 4 (year 1 refresh = $0). Stock scenario multiplies equity only: bear ×0.7, base ×1.0, bull ×1.5. Actual employer schedules vary — check your grant agreement for cliff dates and vest frequency.