How to use this result
A bonus arrives once; an hourly raise keeps contributing while the schedule and job continue. A $1 raise on 40 paid hours for 52 weeks adds $2,080 a year, overtaking a $2,000 bonus in slightly less than a year.
This comparison assumes the raise starts immediately. Vesting, clawbacks, changing hours, and future raises can change the decision. It deliberately compares gross amounts without predicting tax treatment.
The formula
Worked example
Using the example inputs loaded above:
0.96 years
Time for the raise to exceed the bonus.
Common questions
What if the raise is zero?
There is no break-even date because the raise adds no income. The tool reports that the match is not achievable.
Does it account for investing the bonus?
No. The result is a simple gross-pay comparison without interest or investment returns.
Assumptions & references
Amounts use USD. Results are planning estimates using your entries, with dollars rounded only for display. Each tool covers the model described here; it does not determine payroll or tax obligations. Read the calculation methodology.
This is arithmetic based on user-supplied assumptions; it does not use external wage or price data.
Formula version 1.0 · Reference check: September 7, 2026 · Report a calculation issue