Lifetime Earnings Calculator
Project total career earnings given current salary, expected raises, and working years.
What this calculates
Lifetime earnings is the sum of every paycheck across your career. Even modest raises compound dramatically over 30-40 years — a 1% higher annual raise can mean hundreds of thousands more by retirement. This calculator projects the total.
Formula & how it works
FV of salary growth: total = salary × ((1+g)^n − 1) / g, where g = annual raise rate, n = working years. Doesn't account for inflation; use real raise rate for real-dollar total.
Worked example
$60,000 salary, 3% annual raise, 35 years. Total = $60k × ((1.03)^35 − 1) / 0.03 ≈ $3.62M nominal.
Frequently asked questions
Realistic raise rate?
US median is 3-4% nominal long-run. High performers + promotions can sustain 5-7%. Use real rate (subtract inflation) to think in today's dollars.
What about career switches?
Sum each phase separately. Switching can boost or cut lifetime earnings dramatically.
Does this include bonuses?
No. Treat bonuses as separate one-time add-ons.
Related calculators
- Real RaiseSee if your raise actually beats inflation — calculate real purchasing-power change.
- Compound InterestSee how money grows over time with compounding. Enter principal, rate, time, and optional monthly contributions to project future value.
- RetirementEstimate your retirement number using the 4 % rule, and project whether your current savings + monthly contributions will get you there.