Uncover the true value of your compensation beyond base salary
Benefits can represent 20-40% of your total compensation. Here is exactly what each one is worth.
Employer-sponsored health insurance averages $7,911/year for individual coverage and $22,463/year for family coverage (2025 KFF data). If your employer pays 80% of a $600/month plan, that is $5,760/year in value you do not see on your paycheck. Without employer coverage, you would pay the full premium on the ACA marketplace, often at higher rates.
This is literally free money. A 4% match on an $85,000 salary = $3,400/year. Over 30 years at 7% returns, that single year of match grows to $25,900. Not taking the full match is the single biggest financial mistake employees make. A 6% match on $100k = $6,000/year = $45,700 in 30 years.
Dental coverage typically costs $360-$600/year if purchased individually. Employer-subsidized dental saves you roughly $300-$480/year. Vision insurance saves $100-$200/year. Not glamorous, but a root canal without insurance costs $700-$1,500 out of pocket.
Each PTO day is worth your daily rate. On an $85,000 salary, that is $327/day. So 15 PTO days = $4,905/year and 25 PTO days = $8,175/year. The difference between 15 and 25 PTO days is worth $3,270/year in compensation value, plus your sanity.
Sick days you do not use still have insurance value: they protect your PTO from being burned on illness. Each sick day = your daily rate in protection. 10 sick days on $85k = $3,270 in protected income.
12 weeks paid parental leave at $85k salary = $19,615 value. The US has no federal paid parental leave, so this is entirely employer-provided. Even 6 weeks = $9,808. If you plan to have children, this benefit alone can outweigh a $5-10k salary difference.
Employer-provided life insurance (typically 1-2x salary) would cost $300-$900/year to purchase individually for a healthy 30-year-old. At 2x salary for $85k, that is $170,000 in coverage worth roughly $500-$700/year.
Short and long-term disability insurance costs $1,000-$3,000/year to buy privately. Employer-provided disability replaces 50-70% of income if you cannot work. This is catastrophic protection - one serious injury without it could bankrupt you.
Employer HSA contributions are tax-free money. A $1,000 employer HSA contribution is worth more than a $1,000 raise because you pay no income tax, Social Security tax, or Medicare tax on it. Effective value: $1,250-$1,400 compared to taxable income. HSA funds also roll over and can be invested for retirement.
Up to $5,250/year is tax-free under IRS rules. A master's degree costs $30,000-$120,000. If your employer covers $5,250/year tax-free, that is significant. Some employers cover full tuition at partner universities, worth $10,000-$30,000/year.
Pre-tax transit/parking benefits up to $315/month (2025 limit) = $3,780/year in pre-tax savings. If employer pays directly, that is $1,200-$3,780/year in value. Even pre-tax election saves you 25-35% in taxes on commuting costs.
Gym memberships cost $30-$80/month. A $600-$1,200/year wellness stipend covers gym, fitness classes, mental health apps, or ergonomic equipment. Some programs include health insurance premium discounts for participation, adding another $300-$600/year.
Cash up front, but often comes with a clawback clause (typically 1-2 years). A $10,000 signing bonus amortized over 2 years = $5,000/year effective value. Also taxed as income, so net value is roughly 65-75% of the stated amount. Still, it offsets relocation costs and the gap between jobs.
RSUs at public companies have clear value: 1,000 shares vesting over 4 years at $50/share = $12,500/year. Stock options at startups are speculative but can be worth $0 to millions. Evaluate based on company stage, valuation, and your risk tolerance. See our Stock Options Explainer.
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