I compared two similar job offers side by side with a spreadsheet

One had a $5k higher salary but the other had better retirement matching and health premiums that saved me $200 a month. Did the math over 5 years and the lower paying job actually came out ahead by $12k.

2 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In

2 Comments

valgibson4mo ago

I read somewhere that most people overlook retirement matching when comparing salaries.

5

stone.sarah4mo ago

Wait, doesn't that basically mean you're leaving free money on the table? A 4% match on a $60k salary is $2,400 a year, which adds up fast (like $24k over a decade just from the company). And some places offer 6% or even more, especially in tech or finance jobs. People get caught up on the hourly rate or base pay, but that matching is basically a bonus you don't have to pay taxes on until you withdraw it. It's worth doing the math before you accept any offer, honestly.

-1