Salary vs Equity Calculator
Weigh a startup offer: how much salary you give up versus the probability-weighted value of the options offered.
Your numbers
- Expected gain / loss vs market offer
- −$28.5K
- Payoff if the exit happens
- $610K
- Break-even exit valuation
- $646.15M
Fund Force runs an AI analysis of your market and matches you with investors, accelerators and grants that fit your stage and sector.
Get matched with Fund Force →The formula, in plain English
- Salary given up = (Market salary − Offered salary) × Years
- Expected equity = Options × (Exit price − Strike) × Probability of exit
- Exit price = Exit valuation ÷ (Shares today ÷ (1 − Dilution))
Frequently asked questions
What probability of success should I assume?
Be conservative. Most venture-backed startups do not return meaningful value to common shareholders; 10–20% for a large exit is optimistic for an early-stage company.
What should I ask before accepting options?
Total fully-diluted shares, the latest preferred price, the strike price, vesting and cliff, the exercise window after leaving, and the liquidation-preference stack.
Is equity worth it?
Treat options as a lottery ticket with a real but small chance of a large payoff. Accept a salary you can live on regardless.
Results are estimates for planning and education — not financial, legal or tax advice.