Raise vs New Job Calculator
Should you stay and take the raise, or jump to a new job? Compare total earnings over time for both paths.
The data is clear: job-hoppers earn significantly more than loyal employees. Staying at the same company typically yields 3–4% annual raises, while changing jobs often delivers 10–20% salary jumps. Over a career, this difference compounds into hundreds of thousands of dollars. This calculator projects both paths over time so you can make an informed decision — factoring in not just the immediate difference, but the compounding effect of a higher salary base.
Over 5 years, the new job path earns +$62,648 more than staying with the raise. That's a +$11,800/year starting advantage.
Expected annual raises at either job
Raise vs new job
With raise
$83,200/yr
New job
$95,000/yr
5-yr cumulative diff
+$62,648
Annual advantage
+$11,800/yr
Salary projection
How to use this calculator
Current salary — Your current annual salary. This is the baseline for both paths.
Expected raise — The annual raise you expect if you stay. Average US raise: 3–4%. Top performers may get 5–7%.
New job salary — The offered salary at the new position. Job changes typically yield 10–20% increases.
Projection years — How far to project. 5 years is a good planning horizon. The longer the projection, the more the compounding advantage of a higher base salary.
Annual salary growth — Expected annual raises at either job after the initial change. Assumes both paths grow at the same rate from their new base.
Real-world examples
$80K current, 4% raise vs $95K new job
Over 5 years with 3% annual growth: staying earns ~$432K, new job earns ~$504K. The $72K cumulative difference comes from starting at a higher base — every future raise is a percentage of a larger number.
$100K current, 5% raise vs $110K new job
The 10% new job premium seems modest, but over 10 years at 3% growth: staying = ~$1.26M, new job = ~$1.36M. That's $100K more from a single career move.
$60K current, 3% raise vs $75K new job
A 25% salary jump is significant. Over 5 years: staying earns ~$319K, new job earns ~$389K. The $70K difference could fund a year of aggressive investing.
Formula & Methodology
Salary projection
- growth_rate = Annual salary growth rate (decimal)
- n = Number of years
Cumulative earnings
Assumptions & limitations
- Both paths grow at the same annual rate after the initial change. In reality, new jobs may offer different growth trajectories.
- Does not account for signing bonuses, equity, or benefits differences.
- Job stability risk is not modeled — new jobs have probation periods and higher layoff risk.
- Tax implications of higher income (bracket creep) are not included.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to get a raise or change jobs?
Data consistently shows job-hoppers earn 5–10% more per move vs 3–4% annual raises. But consider benefits, culture, commute, and stability — not just salary.
How often should I change jobs?
Every 2–4 years is common in tech and finance. The key is to leave for meaningful increases (15%+) rather than small jumps that don't offset the transition costs.
What about non-salary factors?
Benefits (health insurance, 401(k) match, equity), work-life balance, career growth, and company culture all matter. A $10K salary increase that costs you $5K in benefits isn't worth it.
Does job-hopping look bad on a resume?
Less than it used to. Staying 2+ years per role is generally fine. Red flags: multiple roles under 1 year. The key is telling a coherent career story.