Comparing Job Offers: Which Option Gives You More?
Enter two job offers to see their monthly in-hand pay and the cash left in the first year, factoring in PF, income tax, variable pay, joining bonus, and commute costs. In our example, a ₹7.2 lakh offer with variable pay, a joining bonus and 2 office days leaves ₹65,080 more in the first year than an ₹8 lakh offer with 5 office days.
First year, after tax and commuting
—
| Per year | Offer A | Offer B |
|---|---|---|
| In hand a month (fixed pay) | ||
| Gross salary | ||
| Your PF | ||
| Professional tax | ||
| Variable pay expected | ||
| Joining bonus | ||
| Income tax on the year | ||
| Commute | ||
| First-year cash | ||
| A year without the joining bonus |
Income tax is for the whole year's income under the new regime for FY 2026-27, for a salaried person under 60 with no other income. Commute = office days × 52 weeks × cost a day.
Compare the old and new tax regimes in the salary calculator →
Beyond the figures
- Growth: pay review frequency and career path in two or three years.
- Notice period and joining-bonus rules: required stay duration and repayment if leaving early.
- Location: travel time and cost, plus living expenses if relocating.
- Learning: team, tasks, and skills to gain.
- Extra benefits beyond CTC: family health cover, leave, working hours.
Example comparison: two job offers
Offer A: ₹8 lakh fixed, no variable pay, 5 office days weekly. Offer B: ₹7.2 lakh fixed, ₹80,000 variable at 80%, ₹50,000 joining bonus, 2 office days. Both: ₹150 daily travel, basic pay is 40% of fixed CTC, 12% PF of basic from both (inside CTC), ₹2,400 professional tax, new tax regime.
| Per year | Offer A | Offer B |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed CTC a year | ₹8,00,000 | ₹7,20,000 |
| In hand a month (fixed pay) | ₹60,067 | ₹54,040 |
| Gross salary (fixed CTC less employer PF) | ₹7,61,600 | ₹6,85,440 |
| Your PF | −₹38,400 | −₹34,560 |
| Professional tax | −₹2,400 | −₹2,400 |
| Variable pay expected (80% of target) | ₹0 | +₹64,000 |
| Joining bonus | ₹0 | +₹50,000 |
| Income tax on the year | ₹0 | ₹0 |
| Commute (5 vs 2 days a week × 52 × ₹150) | −₹39,000 | −₹15,600 |
| First-year cash | ₹6,81,800 | ₹7,46,880 |
| A year without the joining bonus | ₹6,81,800 | ₹6,96,880 |
Offer B gives ₹65,080 more in the first year. Without the joining bonus, Offer B gives ₹15,080 more. Offer A pays more monthly; variable pay, joining bonus, and fewer office days in Offer B balance this.
How it's calculated
- Monthly in-hand pay is based on fixed CTC only, as with our salary calculator: employer's PF is deducted from CTC, then your PF and professional tax, followed by income tax on fixed pay.
- Expected variable pay = variable pay × expected payout ÷ 100.
- Income tax is calculated on the full year's income: gross salary + expected variable pay + joining bonus, minus the ₹75,000 standard deduction, using the new-regime slabs for FY 2026-27. This includes the Section 87A rebate for taxable income up to ₹12 lakh (with marginal relief for amounts above) and a 4% cess.
- Commute = office days a week × 52 weeks × cost a day.
- First-year cash = gross salary − your PF − professional tax + expected variable pay + joining bonus − income tax − commute.
When to Use the Job Offer Comparison Tool
Use this tool before accepting a job offer. It helps you compare offers by showing the monthly in-hand pay and the first year's cash after deductions. It's handy when you have multiple offers and need a clear look at each.
This tool is part of the job search on InnHirers. After finding and applying for IT jobs here, the tool helps you weigh your options once offers arrive. It checks what you'll actually take home, considering taxes and benefits, to aid your decision.